5.1 The DCT criteria listed in Table 1 have been found to be suitable for replacing some of the noted liquid-in-glass thermometers with a DCT. The criteria stated are based on the liquid-in-glass (LiG) thermometer design which are the bulb length, immersion depth, precision of measurement, thermometer position, and so forth. The parameters for sensor length, immersion depth, sheath diameter are especially critical when measuring the temperature of small static samples due to temperature probe thermal conductivity. A DCT that is suitable for use in a stirred constant temperature bath will likely result in measurement errors when used to measure small sample temperature. These can be a degree or more when the sample temperature differs from room temperature by 40 °C or more using a 7 mm probe. This error is due to the difference in thermal conductivity of a DCT and LiG thermometer. The most effective way to counter this is by reducing DCT sheath diameter, insulating the sheath above the immersion level, and using a probe that has a small immersion depth as determined by Practice D7962.

(A) Indicates placement of the sensor which is typically in the sample or the container (bath) holding the sample.(B) A device's minimum and maximum temperature may be different than the values shown provided the calibration requirements are met.(C) Accuracy is the combined accuracy of the DCT unit that is the display and sensor without correction factors. See Guide E2877 for more information regarding selecting a DCT.(D) Sensor sheath is the tube that holds the sensing element. The value is the nominal outside diameter of the sheath segment containing the sensing element.(E) Supporting data have been filed at ASTM international headquarters and may be obtained by requesting research report RR:D02-1849.(F) The physical length of the temperature sensing element. Contact the DCT supplier to determine whether this parameter is met, as it will not be accessible to the user.(G) Minimum probe immersion depth needed for an accurate measurement as determined by Practice D7962 and is to be equal to or less than the value in the table.(H) As determined by Practice D7962 or an equivalent procedure.(I) Minimum number of calibration data points used to establish calibration, subsection 6.4.

5.2 When replacing a LiG thermometer with one of the D02-DCTs listed in Table 1 and the test method does not list any DCT criteria, it is incumbent on the user to verify the suitability of the DCT they have selected. This can be done by comparing measurements made with the selected DCT to those of a LiG thermometer and following the test procedure. Comparative measurements are especially important when measuring the temperature of a small static sample where there is a large difference between sample and room temperature. Covering the DCT probe sheath except for the sensing portion with a glass, plastic, or tubing with a lower thermoconductivity can improve the agreement between LiG and DCT measurements.