http://www.grantinstruments.

com/support/faqs/scientific-faqs/everything-you-need-to-know-about-stability-and-uniformity/

Everything you need to know about stability and uniformity

A thermostat controls the temperature of, for example, a water bath by measuring the temperature of the water and comparing it
with the set temperature. It then adjusts the amount of heat put into the bath to make the measured temperature equal to the set
temperature. Because there is a time delay between measuring the temperature and putting in the heat there will be a fluctuation in
the temperature of the bath.

The heat is distributed in an unstirred bath by convection and conduction, and in a stirred bath by convection, conduction and the
stirring action. The heat losses from the surface of the liquid and through the sides can also cause a change in temperature.

Due to the losses and distribution of heat there are small fluctuations in temperature across the bath.

The temperature fluctuation at any one point is called the stability, and the largest temperature difference between any two points in
the bath is called the uniformity.

The temperature at any point varies regularly between two limits but occasionally a larger variation is observed. The stability as
stated in DIN 58966 is the temperature difference between the maximum and minimum level over 100 cycles after removing the
effect of the largest 25% of readings.

The stability is determined by measuring the temperature in the centre of the working volume of the bath and is stated as plus or
minus one half of the measured value.

The uniformity is determined by measuring the temperature in the centre and corners of the bath and is the greatest difference
between the mean temperatures at any of these points. It is stated as plus or minus half this value.

https://waterbaths.net/blogs/blog/temperature-specifications-accuracy-uniformity-stability
Temperature Specifications
Explained: Accuracy, Uniformity,
Stability
16 March 2018 at 07:30
When researching equipment that involves important temperature settings, you’ll no doubt
come across a variety of terms. Depending on the product you’re viewing, you might see
specifications including temperature stability, temperature accuracy, and temperature
uniformity. For water baths, you could well see all three.
At first, these might appear to measure essentially the same thing, but there are subtle yet
important differences. Depending on the term, it is referring to the ability of the
instrument to measure or maintain temperature with a certain precision against a
particular reference point.
We’ll look into each specification a bit more in-depth below, but here are some brief
definitions:
 Temperature stability measures precision in terms of maintaining a set-point
temperature.
 Temperature accuracy conveys how closely readings will match those of a
calibrated standard.
 Temperature uniformity measures the potential variation in temperature between
different points.
Now we’ll explore each term in some more detail, including some examples.

Temperature Stability
Temperature stability measures the precision of the instrument in maintaining a set-point
temperature. For example, you might see a water bath with a temperature stability
specification of ±0.1°C.

Manufacturer specifications for the PolyScience Digital General Purpose 5 Liter.

If you set the temperature of this instrument to 35°C, then you can expect the bath to
maintain a temperature between 34.9°C and 35.1°C.

Temperature Accuracy
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines accuracy as “degree of conformity of a measure to
a standard or a true value.” In keeping with this definition, when we talk about
temperature accuracy, we’re using a standard reference point.
The temperature accuracy of an instrument is how closely its readings match those of a
calibrated standard piece of equipment. For example, if you’re wondering about the
temperature accuracy of a thermometer, you would need to compare its results to those of
a calibrated instrument.
In the context of water baths, temperature accuracy is typically provided as a plus/minus
value. It is often accompanied by a certain temperature, the standard being 37°C, since
many applications occur at this temperature.
For example, for the water bath referred to below, the temperature accuracy is ±0.2 at
37°C.

Manufacturer specifications for the myBath Series 12 Liter.

So, when the temperature reading states 37°C, the actual temperature could be anywhere
between 36.8°C and 37.2°C.
Temperature Uniformity
Temperature uniformity, as you might imagine, refers to the variation in
temperature between different points, in this case in a body of liquid. In a water bath, a
temperature measurement at one point may give a slightly different reading to one at
another point.
Looking back at our last example, you’ll see that the temperature uniformity is often
conveyed in a similar format to the temperature accuracy, with a plus/minus value at a
particular temperature. In this case, it is ±0.2 at 37°C.
http://www.davis.com/blog/2013/09/23/using-a-temperature-bath-for-calibration/

Using A Temperature Bath For Calibration

TOPICS:Temperature Bath

POSTED BY: BETH DUMEY SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

Platinum Resistance Thermometers (PRTs), Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometers (SPRTs), and liquid-in-glass
thermometers can all be calibrated through the use of a temperature bath. With longer thermometers, a deep-well compact
constant temperature bath can be used for calibration.
Guidelines published by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) indicate the standards for temperature
uniformity and stability in bath fluids. According to Fluke, “If you’re testing a sensor with a modest specification of ±0.1°F over its
whole range, your bath must be stable and uniform to ±0.01°F. Translated to Celsius, this figure becomes ±0.005°C, and you find
yourself in need of a bath with performance to the third decimal place at each of the temperatures you must test.”

Typically, laboratories seek uniformity and stability in their temperature baths when calibrating thermal sensors. For field
applications, speed and portability may be more highly desired and a micro-bath may be a better choice. Another option, the sand
bath system, is a dry bath with exceptional heat transfer properties
Options in Temperature Baths:

Our best-selling utility bath. The Cole-Parmer® StableTemp® Economy Bath is a solid
choice for general-purpose applications and is affordable. Bath fluids are controlled at temperatures as high as 100°C (60° without
cover) with +/-0.2° precision and uniformity. A steeply gabled, polycarbonate cover accommodates glassware of varying heights
and tilts out of the way when removing or loading samples, allowing condensate to drain back into the bath.
Precision and stability in a portable package. Fluke® Calibration Portable Calibration Bath have a compact
weight are easy-to-carry, and spill-proof. Their heating, cooling, and stabilization times enables readings within 45 minutes. Ideal
for glass and bimetal thermometers.
Small, fast, quiet deep well compact bath. Fluke® Calibration Deep-Well Compact Bathcalibrates even the
longest PRTs, SPRTs, and liquid-in-glass thermometers. Fast heat-up and cool-down.

Fluidized sand bath for temperature sensor calibrations, electrical component

testing, and more. Fluidized Sand Bath Systems use aluminum oxide fluidized by low pressure air. Because aluminum
oxide is nonflammable, will not corrode sample vessels, and will not emit toxic fumes, it is safe to use. Sample vessels of all shapes
can be immersed and removed from the bath.