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8.1.3 Temperature and Temperature Difference

When both temperature and differential temperature are required, it is important to specify both accuracy and relative accuracy (not to be confused with precision or resolution). Accuracy is performance compared to truth, usually provided by some standard instrument in a controlled environment. Relative accuracy is the performance of two or more sensors, with respect to one of the sensors or the average of all sensors, in various controlled environments. A temperature sensor specification might read:

Range -40 to +60°C.
Accuracy (error) < 0.5 °C.

A temperature difference specification might read:

Range -5 to +15 °C.
Relative accuracy (error) < 0.1°C.

While calibrations and audits of both accuracy and relative accuracy are usually conducted in controlled environments, the measurement is made in the atmosphere. The greatest source of error is usually solar radiation. Solar radiation shield specification is therefore an important part of the system specification. Motor aspirated radiation shields (and possibly high performance naturally ventilated shields) will satisfy the less critical temperature measurement. For temperature difference, it is critical that the same design motor aspirated shield be used for both sensors. The expectation is that the errors from radiation (likely to exceed 0.2 °C) will zero out in the differential measurement. A motor aspirated radiation shield specification might read:

Radiation range -100 to 1300 W/m2
Flow rate 3 m/s or greater
Radiation error < 0.2 °C

8. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL
8.1 Instrument Procurement 
     8.1.1 Wind Speed 
     8.1.2 Wind Direction  
     8.1.3 Temperature and Temperature Difference 
     8.1.4 Dew Point Temperature 
     8.1.5 Precipitation 
     8.1.6 Pressure 
     8.1.7 Radiation  
 8.2 Installation and Acceptance Testing
     8.2.1 Wind Speed 
     8.2.2 Wind Direction  
     8.2.3 Temperature and Temperature Difference 
     8.2.4 Dew Point Temperature 
     8.2.5 Precipitation 
     8.2.6 Pressure
     8.2.7 Radiation
  8.3 Routine Calibrations  
     
8.3.1 Sensor Check  
      8.3.2 Signal Conditioner and Recorder Check  
     8.3.3 Calibration Data Logs 
     8.3.4 Calibration Report  
     8.3.5 Calibration Schedule/Frequency 
     8.3.6 Data Correction Based on Calibration Results  
  8.4 Audits 
     8.4.1 Audit Schedule and Frequency  
     8.4.2 Audit Procedure 
     8.4.3 Corrective Action and Reporting 
  8.5 Routine and Preventive Maintenance 
     8.5.1 Standard Operating Procedures  
     8.5.2 Preventive Maintenance  
 8.6 Data Validation and Reporting  
     8.6.1 Preparatory Steps 
     8.6.2 Levels of Validation  
     8.6.3 Validation Procedures  
     8.6.4 Schedule and Reporting
  8.7 Recommendations


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