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Environmental
The environmental conditions during pre-treatment and application of a coating system are major factors affecting the long-term performance of coatings on steel structures. Dew Point Meters can be used to monitor environmental conditions before, during, and after painting. Ideal for surface preparation as required by ISO 8502-4, an electronic Dew Point Meter determines the likelihood of dew forming on structures which are being painted.
DeFelsko offers three types of meters to measure environmental conditions: dew point meters, wind speed sensors, and infrared thermometers.
Conforms to ISO 8502-4, BS 7079-B4, ASTM D3276, IMO PSPC, SSPC-PA7, US Navy NSI 009-32, and Navy NAVSEA 009-32
Attaches to the PosiTector 6000 System
PosiTector DPM Dew Point Meter
Depending on the model selected, PosiTector DPM Dew Point Meters measure and record climatic conditions including: relative humidity (%RH), air temperature, surface temperature, dew point temperature, the difference between surface and dew point temperatures (Delta), wind speed, and wet bulb temperature.
Available options:
- Integral Probe with Direct Contact Surface Temperature Sensor
- Integral Probe with Infrared Surface Temperature Sensor
- Integral Probe with K-type Cabled Surface Temperature Sensor
- Integral Probe with Wind Speed Sensor
- Cabled Probe with 1/2" NPT Threads (for compressed air)
Conforms to ISO 8502-4, BS 7079-B4, ASTM D3276, IMO PSPC, SSPC-PA7, US Navy NSI 009-32, and Navy NAVSEA 009-32.
Autonomous Dew Point Meter Loggers
PosiTector DPM L Dew Point Meter Logger
The PosiTector DPM L Dew Point Meter Logger attaches to steel structures to measure and record environmental parameters independently for up to 200 days. Stored readings can be downloaded using a PosiTector Advanced gage body or Apple/Android smart device.
Conforms to ISO 8502-4, BS 7079-B4, ASTM D3276, IMO PSPC, SSPC-PA7 and US Navy NSI009-32.
Non-contact Infrared Surface Temperature Thermometer
PosiTector IRT Infrared Thermometer
The PosiTector IRT non-contact Infrared Thermometer measures surface temperatures in areas where conventional sensors will not work including hard to reach areas, moving parts, freshly sprayed powder coating, and objects whose temperatures are above the range of direct contact sensors.
What is a Dew Point Meter?
A Dew Point Meter measures and records climatic conditions including: relative humidity (%RH), air temperature, surface temperature, dew point temperature, the difference between surface and dew point temperatures (Delta), and wet bulb temperatures.
Why are Dew Point Meters used to measure environmental conditions?
Environmental conditions are monitored and recorded using handheld, portable Dew Point Meters during surface preparation, application, and cure of paints and coatings. Doing so allows paint and coatings applicators to determine when optimal environmental conditions are met—greatly reducing the likelihood of costly reworks and premature failure of the coating or paint systems.
How is relative humidity (%RH) measured?
Relative Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air expressed as a percent of overall volume. High relative humidity can retard the rate of solvent evaporation.
Traditionally, relative humidity (RH) was calculated using the wet and dry bulb temperature measurements taken from a sling psychrometer (whirling hygrometer). Sling psychrometers consist of two thermometers called dry bulb and wet bulb with the latter being covered in a wet sock (wick) saturated with water. Sling psychrometers are whirled rapidly for 90 seconds causing the liquid water to evaporate and for the wet bulb to read lower than the dry bulb. After the appropriate amount of time, both bulbs are measured and the results are converted to humidity measurements using psychometric tables, graphs, or slide rules. From there, the results were compared to those obtained from a surface temperature thermometer.
Convenient, modern electronic dew point meters have simplified humidity and temperature measurements negating the need for complex lookup tables or slide rule calculators. Multifunctional dew point meters have the ability to take immediate and continuous readings of all relevant environmental parameters that are less subject to operator interpretation and measurement errors, as well as calculation and rounding errors associated with the use of lookup tables.
How is dew point measured?
Dew point (dewpoint) is the temperature at which moisture will begin to form on a surface. Dew point is a function of air temperature and relative humidity and is described as the temperature to which a volume of air must be cooled in order to reach saturation.
Undiscovered condensation on freshly blasted steel may result in flash rusting and premature coating failure if a thin, invisible film of moisture is trapped between the coating and the substrate. To ensure optimal performance of the coating system, ISO 8502-4 and SSPC guidelines recommend that the surface temperature must be a minimum of 5°F or 3°C above the dew point during the 3 critical phases of painting—surface preparation, coating application, and the cure cycle.
Traditionally, dew point was calculated using a sling psychrometer and complex look-up tables or psychometric slide-rule calculators. Sling psychrometers are limited since they are subject to interpolation errors, cannot be used for continuous monitoring, and do not offer memory storage.
Chilled mirror hygrometers measure dew point using a chilled mirror, light beam, and light detector. As the air is cooled, dew would form on the mirror, blocking the light, and indicating that the air has reached the dew point. While this technique worked well in a laboratory environment, it was less effective for the steel structure painting industry due to their bulk, fragility, and cost.
Modern dew point meters such as the PosiTector DPM can immediately calculate dew point by measuring surface temperature and relative humidity using precision temperature and humidity sensors. Some meters calculate dew point only, but the more practical instruments include a surface temperature probe. Surface temperature probes (sensors) allow the users to calculate and display the important delta value—the difference between the surface and dew point temperatures.
Will the Ambient Probes work in Freezing Conditions?
Yes they will, the air and surface temperature ranges on these ambient meters goes from -40 F to 175 F. If you need something to read outside of these ranges give us a call at MTest so we can recommend equipment that will suite your project.
How long does it take the probe to acclimate, and provide accurate measurements in a new environment?
This answer is situational, if your equipment is in your cab with the heater on full blast heading to a job site where the ambients are 40 F then it could take about 5-10 minutes. If the area of the probe storage is comparable to the outside temperatures, then it should take minutes.
Remember to check out the rest of the modular probes for the PosiTector body PosiTector 6000, 200, DPM, IRT, RTR, SPG, SST, SHD, BHI, and UTG probes.