- Check for any loose wires. Check for any loose wires in order to make sure that there isn’t a short circuit or any other problem at its root.
- Replace all broken parts. If any part of the thermometer has broken off, replace it immediately. Also check the replacement part for cracks as well.
- Cleaning the thermometer. Use a soft cotton cloth to wipe down the thermometer. ...
- Adjust the dials. It is possible that the dials on your thermometer might not line up right. So adjust them accordingly.
- Test the thermometer again. Once everything seems fine, test it again. Make sure that it still works before you go on to step 6.
- Reinstall the thermometer into place. Reinstall the thermometer back into position. Be careful while doing this. ...
How do you fix a broken thermometer?
1 Place the thermometer in the sink. 2 Gradually heat the bulb with a hair dryer on warm. The mercury will rise to the top of the thermometer and join together. 3 Allow the thermometer to gradually cool down to room temperature. 4 If you need to take several attempts, just heat and cool gradually. Do not overheat, as the thermometer could burst.
How do you fix a thermometer with a hair dryer?
Place the thermometer in the sink. Gradually heat the bulb with a hair dryer on warm. The mercury will rise to the top of the thermometer and join together. Allow the thermometer to gradually cool down to room temperature. If you need to take several attempts, just heat and cool gradually.
How do you use a thermometer safely?
Grasp the thermometer in one hand and toward the end opposite the bulb. Stand in an area away from obstructions and away from people or objects that might be injured or damaged by a projectile thermometer. Swing the thermometer with the bulb facing down in a U-shaped pattern similar to the arc of a golf club.
What happens if you overheat a thermometer?
Do not overheat, as the thermometer could burst. This method is fairly reliable as it was often used in hospitals, etc. before the electronic thermometers and disposable temperature strips became commonplace. There is, however, a risk of losing grip of the thermometer while shaking that could result in breakage and spillage of mercury.
How do you fix a digital thermometer?
For digital thermometers: Test every six months or so (depending on frequency of use) to make sure the thermometer works properly, using either the ice water or boiling water method. Many digital thermometers have reset buttons. If the accuracy is off, adjust the thermometer to the proper temperature using this button.
How do you fix a water damaged thermometer?
Stick the thermometer in a warm oven until dry. You can also try air-drying the assembly in the sun, using a hairdryer or sticking the thermometer in a sealed container of rice for a day or so.
How do you restore a mercury thermometer?
Holding the thermometer upright, slowly and gradually immerse only the bulb of the instrument into a solution of dry ice and alcohol contained in a small lab beaker or another such vertical container. During this gradual insertion, the mercury should begin to solidify.
How do you fix an infrared thermometer?
Replacing the batteries with new fresh batteries will solve most difficulties. Erratic readings, faint readings, no display, or appearing on the display are all indications that the batteries must be replaced.
Can you fix a thermometer?
Add enough dry ice and alcohol to a small beaker to cover the thermometer's bulb. Immerse only the thermometer's bulb into the dry ice and alcohol. Allow all of the mercury column to retreat into the bulb as it cools down. Remove the thermometer and carefully place it upright in a test tube rack.
How do you fix a foggy thermometer?
1:043:24How To | Remove Moisture from the Thermometer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUp to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. We're gonna put this in for about 30 minutes remove. It and put it onMoreUp to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. We're gonna put this in for about 30 minutes remove. It and put it on the stovetop.
Can a mercury thermometer be repaired?
If your mercury thermometer is cracked, you can't repair it, and you should instead discard it safely, since mercury is toxic. Never just “throw away” your thermometer but call your local hazard waste office to find out how to safely discard it.
Why do thermometers break?
The layer of glass is thick and as it is a poor conductor of heat, the outer portions of the thermometer are not heated. Therefore, the inside layer of glass expands but not the outer layer and hence it breaks.
What happens if you touch mercury from a broken thermometer?
MERCURY EXPOSURE If it is swallowed, like from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you.
How do you reset a thermometer?
0:342:20Calibrating a Thermometer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHold the adjusting nut under the head of the thermometer. And turn the head so the pointer readsMoreHold the adjusting nut under the head of the thermometer. And turn the head so the pointer reads zero degrees Celsius.
Can low battery affect thermometer?
As long as the thermometer is ready for measurement, it offers the same accuracy. When battery power is too low, the thermometer shows a low battery symbol and does not perform any measurements until the battery is replaced.
Why does my digital thermometer read low?
It is standard practice for the majority of digital thermometers to display a "LO" sign when turning the device on. This means "LOW TEMPERATURE". This is because these types of thermometers are made to measure Body Temperature, so when outside the body, the temperature is usually LOWER.
How do you reset a thermometer?
0:342:20Calibrating a Thermometer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHold the adjusting nut under the head of the thermometer. And turn the head so the pointer readsMoreHold the adjusting nut under the head of the thermometer. And turn the head so the pointer reads zero degrees Celsius.
How do you get the bubbles out of a liquor thermometer?
1. For a minimum (alcohol) thermometer, heat the bulb in the above manner until the main column enters but does not completely fill the expansion chamber. This heating should force all air bubbles up the bore and into the expansion chamber, where they should rise above the alcohol.
How do you reset a glass thermometer?
Glass thermometers don't always reset themselves after you take a temperature. Grab it at the end away from the tip and swing the thermometer back and forth. Check to make sure it goes down below at least 96.8 °F (36.0 °C); it needs to be under the average body temperature.
Can you run a thermometer under water?
You can also wipe the body of the thermometer with a slightly damp cloth, but make sure you don't submerge it in water, as this could damage the device.
How to check a thermometer for bubbles?
Swing the thermometer with the bulb facing down in a U-shaped pattern similar to the arc of a golf club. Repeat this process six to eight times, then inspect the thermometer. If the bubbles persist, repeat the process. If the bubbles persist after several attempts, proceed to the alternative method, "Repair by heating."
Why are thermometers useless?
Until the bubbles are removed, such thermometers become useless because their readings are no longer accurate. The two easiest methods for repairing a thermometer are discussed in this article.
How to swing a thermometer?
Swing the thermometer with the bulb facing down in a U-shaped pattern similar to the arc of a golf club.
Is alcohol in a thermometer flammable?
The alcohol in alcohol thermometers is flammable. Never heat a thermometer in an open flame. Allowing the expansion chamber to become more than half full of alcohol creates an explosion hazard. The use safety glasses is strongly recommended.
How to use a thermometer?
Use of Centrifugal Force –Grasp the thermometer securely as in the tapping method, except grasp the thermometer slightly above the middle and hold it with the bulb end pointed outward. With the arm extended in a near-horizontal position, swing the thermometer rapidly downward; stop abruptly when the thermometer has reached a vertical position. Repeat several times as necessary. Be sure that the thermometer is securely mounted and has sufficient clearance from obstructions. With a minimum thermometer, the downward swings can be started with the arm extended upward, giving an arc of 3 or 4 feet. Swings with a maximum thermometer must always be started with the arm at or slightly below the horizontal, with the mercury column resting against the constriction; otherwise, the constriction may be fractured.
How to tap a mercury thermometer?
Be sure that the thermometer is fastened securely to its frame. Strike the edge of the frame against the palm of the other hand. Repeat several times as necessary, or until success is doubtful. In cases where a short segment of mercury is lodged in the upper end of the bore, hold the thermometer inverted (bulb end up) during the tapping. ...
What causes a separated column on a thermometer?
In alcohol thermometers, column separations may appear as small bubbles. They can be caused by a distillation tendency during warm weather; alcohol vapor condenses in the upper portion of the bore. Column separation may entrap the minimum thermometer index rod.
How long should a psychrometer cord be?
The cord or chain can be grasped directly or attached to a sling psychrometer handle; the cord length should be about 8 inches . Heating –Heating the thermometer bulb is often the quickest and most successful method of repairing column separations.
Why do alcohol thermometers have bubbles?
In alcohol thermometers, column separations may appear as small bubbles. They can be caused by a distillation tendency during warm weather; alcohol vapor condenses in the upper portion of the bore. Column separation may entrap the minimum thermometer index rod.
How far can you swing with a thermometer?
With a minimum thermometer, the downward swings can be started with the arm extended upward, giving an arc of 3 or 4 feet. Swings with a maximum thermometer must always be started with the arm at or slightly below the horizontal, with the mercury column resting against the constriction; otherwise, the constriction may be fractured.
Is a small separation at the constriction of a thermometer normal?
Note: The small separation located at the constriction of a maximum thermometer is normal.