Principles of a Hygrometer

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By Eric Moll, eHow Contributor| updated May 08, 2011

A hygrometer is an instrument for measuring humidity. There are four basic types of hygrometer. The classic hygrometer, also called a psychrometer, uses two thermometers, one wet and one dry, to measure the rate of evaporation and therefore humidity. A hair hygrometer uses a piece of human or animal hair and measures changes in length due to moisture in the air. Electronic hygrometers measure the condensation on a chilled mirror to determine humidity. Lastly, gravimetric hygrometers actually weigh a sample of air and compare its weight to that of dry air.

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Psychrometers
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The principle behind a psychrometer is fairly simple. The device contains two thermometers. One is dry, and the other is kept moist by wrapping the bulb in a wet piece of cloth. As the water around the wet bulb evaporates, the bulb cools down because the water absorbs heat from its surroundings as it changes phase. The rate of evaporation is dependent on humidity. Therefore, the bigger the difference between the wet bulb temperature and the dry bulb temperature, the lower the humidity. Different psychrometers have different ways of keeping air flowing across the bulbs. In a sling psychrometer, for example, the user swings the psychrometer by a piece of rope before taking a reading.

Hair Tension Hygrometers

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In a hair tension hygrometer, a piece of human or animal hair is kept under tension. The length of the hair changes as it absorbs or loses water from the air around it. The length change is often magnified with a viewing lens so it can be interpreted.

Manufacturer of moisture measuring technology for bulk materials

Chilled Mirror Hygrometers

This type of hygrometer takes a very precise measurement of the temperature at which water condenses on a small mirror. This temperature is known as a the dewpoint, and it is directly related to humidity. The higher the humidity, the higher the dewpoint.

Gravimetric Hygrometers
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Gravimetric hygrometers work because of the very simple fact that moist air is less dense than dry air. The instrument very precisely measures the weight of an air sample and compares it to a sample of completely dry air of the same volume. This type of hygrometer is the most precise type, but it is also large, expensive, and impractical for field measurements. As a result, gravimetric hygrometers are generally only used to calibrate other types of hygrometers to ensure that they are working properly.

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Hygrometer

Moisture Meter Guide

The complete moisture meter website Another variation of the moisture meter is the hygrometer. The hygrometer is an instrument that can be used for measuring the moisture content in the environmental air or the humidity. Humidity meters are a range of moisture meters that can monitor the air moisture content in a particular area or specific room in a building. As well as measuring the humidity these meters will also include temperature readings as well. This is because air humidity is closely linked to the relative temperature. Testing for conditions in a room is vital to tradesmen in the woodworking business and for those who must store and preserve rare woods. As well as for those in the wood trade a hygrometer can be used in greenhouses and industrial spaces to test the air for humidity content. Other applications can include egg incubators, saunas, humidors and even museums. Musical instruments such as violins and guitars can get ruined if stored in incorrect humidity conditions, so the hygrometer has a musical role to play as well. In the home a hygrometer is used to aid humidity control. A low air humidity can damage human skin and the body whereas a high humidity can encourage the growth of mildew and dust mites. Moisture Meter Guide 2010 Contact details:garnett65@hotmail.com The hygrometer is an instrument used to measure relative humidity. They can also be referred to as relative humidity indicators and humidity sensors. They can also be combined with regular thermometers and can be purchased from any store that tend to stock thermometer articles.

The two main types of hygrometer that are used in the home are electronic and mechanical hygrometers. As well as these 2 types there are other variations of the hygrometer such as the psychrometer, sling psychrometer and the hygrothermograph. How the hygrometer functions is to show the relative humidity and it does this by measuring the moisture content of a gas. Unlike the moisture meter though, they do not produce instant results and it can actually take a couple of hours to obtain an accurate reading. Before using a hygrometer for the first time it needs to be calibrated. After this initial calibration, the hygrometer should be re calibrated once a year or so to ensure proper and accurate readings. If the hygrometer you have is a mechanical version then there will be a screw or other adjustment in the back of it which can be altered to calibrate it. When selecting a place to house your hygrometer always place it where you see signs of humidity. Avoid placing it near heat sources such as radiators, stoves and chimneys. Precision Residential Hygrometer Klimachecker This hygrometer is very easy to use and can be hung literally anywhere. It requires no batteries and is constructed from brushed aluminium. It has air control. With one of these you can watch the humidity variations which will really open your eyes on the issue of humidity. It is an attractive instrument and employs artificial hair. Electronic Hygrometer Station Aircheck Here is an electronic hygrometer from TFA Dostmann. The features that this instrument has can be used to test humidity and indoor temperature and show time and calendar, weather symbols and comfort levels. The measuring range level of this hygrometer is from 20% to 99%. It can be hung or used as free standing and it runs off a couple of AAA batteries. In order to detect the percentage of moisture content in air the hygrometer is the instrument that is required. There are several different types of hygrometers including the Mason, The Whirling and the digital hygrometer. The Mason hygrometer consists of two thermometers which are mounted on to a silk screened scale. This scale consists of a plastic reservoir and cotton wicks. To be able to determine humidity levels they come with both a wet and dry bulb table. What is particularly advantageous about this type of hygrometer is the fact that all of its parts are replaceable, meaning that in the occurrence of breakage the hygrometer can be repaired rather than replaced. The Whirling hygrometer, also referred to as the sling psychrometer, is another form of the hygrometer. The use for this instrument is to ascertain the air humidity at any time. The Whirling hygrometer comes in several forms and choices meaning that there is certainly one that suits every taste and budget. They are relatively cheap to buy and do not require any on going maintenance. The digital hygrometer has grown in popularity since its introduction and can now be found in many homes and offices to monitor conditions and provide a comfortable environment. What is significant about the digital hygrometer is that it does not measure the actual temperature but it actually measures how hot or cold you feel. This in turn ensures that you are living or working in the correct temperature for you.

Choosing A Hygrometer
The hygrometer can measure moisture content in air at any given time. Most use a human hair to collect and measure the moisture whilst some do use wool. Human hair has been discovered to give the most accurate moisture measuring results and many hygrometers use human hair in them. Watch the length of the human hair on your hygrometer. As it becomes wet it will stretch and absorb moisture and then change length. You measure the length of the hair on the dial of the hygrometer. If you have a hair hygrometer you need to check the hair periodically to ensure that it is functioning properly. If the hair has absorbed too much moisture and you need to know the moisture levels you may have to replace the hair with new hair.

Some hygrometers use wool and as with hair you need to check it regularly. Wool is hung from one end of the hygrometer and is balanced with rocks at the other end. Wool will absorb air moisture and the end of the wool will go up or down depending upon how wet or dry it actually is. When wool or hair becomes dirty in a hygrometer it needs to be replaced. Dirt can affect the weight of wool whilst with hair the dirt will prevent the hair from absorbing moisture. So keep checking the wool and hair periodically and ensure that you clean the hygrometer when it requires to ensure that it remains in good condition and works effectively.

Using A Hygrometer How A Hygrometer Works

The term hygrometer is a general term used for an instrument that can be used to test the moisture content and humidity of air. The are various types of hygrometer and they work on different principles but here we shall concentrate on the sling psychrometer. This particular hygrometer has two identical thermometers which are mounted side by side. One of the thermometers has a wick material fastened around the bulb. This is known as the wet bulb because the wick material is soaked with water whilst the other bulb is kept dry. When the wick material has been soaked the hygrometer is then spun or slung around the air with the handle with a swivel. The principle here is evaporative cooling. By slinging this hygrometer through the air a breeze is created which will have a cooling effect on the wet bulb but not on the dry bulb. When you stop spinning the hygrometer you will get two readings on the two thermometers. The wet bulb will show a lower reading than the dry bulb. The difference in readings will be determined by the humidity in the air. The more humid the air is, the less the difference in readings is. At 100% humidity the two readings will be identical. This is so because the air is saturated and cannot receive any more water molecules from the wick material. When you have collected the two readings you can refer to the established charts which will calculate the difference between the two readings and give you a moisture or humidity content percentage. The Hygrometer is a weather instrument used to calculate the relative humidity in the air. It can be electronic or consist of two thermometers. The two thermometer type of hygrometer requires a special chart to show the relative humidity. Hygrometers can start as low as a few dollars and increase in price depending upon their build quality and features. When it comes to choosing a hygrometer there are a couple of pointers that you should adhere to. You want to check out the scale on the thermometers if you select this type. They can be either in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Select the reading type that you are familiar with, Also check the charts that are on or between the thermometers. You want a chart that has large enough numbers and curves so that you can actually read them. One needs to check out the kind of mounting that the hygrometer needs. Does it need to be mounted on a pole? Can you mount in on the side of a building so that you can see it from inside? These are just 2 examples of requirements that you may want from your hygrometer. Everyone has different requirements from their hygrometer so be sure to choose a hygrometer that fits your requirements. When buying a hygrometer make sure that the operating instruction manual is easy enough to understand. Knowing how to use and install a hygrometer properly are essential. And finally understand the warranty on your chosen unit. If you select a complex hygrometer there is more chance of the unit breaking. A good warranty will give you piece of mind.

Hygrometer Facts To Calibrate A Hygrometer

The hygrometer is in fact a very simple instrument used to measure relative humidity. Despite the fact that is is simple it is actually quite a delicate instrument and is prone to giving inaccurate readings over a period of time and use. In order to cope with this and

keep the accuracy of your hygrometer you need to calibrate it accordingly. You can do this yourself with just a couple of kitchen supplies of salt, water and a Ziploc bag. In order to calibrate your hygrometer mix salt and water together in a small cup, stirring until the salt is totally saturated and a mixture forms which resembles sand. Take the cup with this mixture and the hygrometer and place both of them inside a Ziploc bag. Ensure that the salt and hygrometer are separate.. Seal the bag and place it somewhere where there is consistent room temperature for about 12 hours. Ensure that the bag is away from drafts or any direct sunlight. Whilst in the bag, check your hygrometer. In ideal conditions the hygrometer will have a reading of 75%. If it does not then take the hygrometer from the bag and adjust it accordingly. Your hygrometer is now calibrated.

How An Electronic Hygrometer Works

As well as there being several kinds of hygrometer there are two types of electronic hygrometer for you to choose from. To test the moisture content in air these electronic hygrometers use either capacitive or resistive sensors. Both methods rely upon the condensation present but actually measure it differently. Electron hygrometers use the dew point to measure the humidity percentage. This is possible because the actual dew point is the point where water vapour will condense. In an area of high humidity, the dew point is closer to the current temperature of the area. When a portion of air is cooled past the dew point the result will be condensation. What an electronic hygrometer does is to control the temperature of a surface. This control is based upon electronic feedback and the measuring of any present condensation. A hygrometer will test the air temperature and then adjust the temperature of a sensor until condensation forms. The hygrometer will then measure this resulting condensation. A capacitive hygrometer will measure condensation using an alternating current. This tests the waters ability to hold an electrical charge. As more water is present, the ability to hold an electrical charge is increased. The resistive hygrometer works by measuring the electrical resistance in their sensor. The sensor in the hygrometer will absorb water from the air and then measure its resistance in the sensor.

The Digital Hygrometer

When it comes to a relaxed lifestyle, humidity plays an important role. If for example there is excessive humidity in the air living conditions will become a challenge in the best scenario and even hinder your lifestyle. With excessive humidity you cannot simply leave the home and avoid it because humidity is everywhere. Excessive humidity prevents the body from sweating properly and can make existing conditions quite unbearable. Inside the home, at least measures can be taken to deal with humidity levels. By testing the air with a hygrometer you can ascertain the moisture levels in the air and take precautionary measures to bring the air to a fairly reasonable humidity level. There are several types of the digital hygrometer of which all can have a significant effect on your lifestyle and personal comfort. The most common digital hygrometers are the digital thermo hygrometer, digital thermometer hygrometer, digital hygrometer humidor and the digital cigar hygrometer. For the best instrument to specifically and correctly determine the existing air temperature, dew point and precise humidity in an environment, there are not many that can, if at all, match the digital hygrometer. They are space saving and very precise with their results. Powered by battery, these digital hygrometers have become extremely popular and are the choice of many. Hygrometers are very versatile and have many uses within a persons daily life. The digital thermo hygrometer will aid a user with internal temperature stabilization. As well as being suitable for the home this hygrometer has commercial uses as well. It scans temperature conditions and can also preserve against any dangerous climate conditions.

The digital thermometer hygrometer can be used to identify the comparative humidity, precise degree of dew point, area temperature and atmospheric temperature. The digital hygrometer humidor provides a great service in monitoring humidity within the home. As well as monitoring humidity for adults it can do so for pets and babies as well. This hygrometer is an ideal instrument to have in the home to successfully provide ideal living conditions for all within the home. Choosing a digital hygrometer Hygrometers have many applications and measure both relative humidity and temperature. The digital hygrometer provide all their results in an easy to read digital format. Choosing the correct digital hygrometer requires a little knowledge of where it will be situated, the amount of accuracy required and whether it will be used for constant monitoring or spot checks. Before shopping for a hygrometer you need to assess your needs. Will the hygrometer be for indoors or outdoors. If for outdoors it needs to be rugged and waterproof as well as being designed to cope with huge swings in humidity levels. The indoor hygrometer has been designed to be more accurate. You need to decide upon the amount of accuracy that you require. This can affect the price of a hygrometer quite significantly. And finally will you want a hygrometer for continual monitoring or just spot checking. For constant monitoring a hygrometer with a data logger could prove to be the best option. With one you can record all results on to a computer and compare. Tips for choosing a digital hygrometer If you are not planning on having a hygrometer for constant monitoring then opt for a stand alone hygrometer. These types can also give temperature information for the previous 24 hours. Choose a hygrometer with a sensor. You can attach a sensor with a cable or even have it wireless. Choose a portable digital hygrometer. With one you have mobility and can move from location to location. The best type in this case is a handheld hygrometer with a built in sensor. If you wish to monitor constantly you must opt for a data logger. The data can be applied for days down to even seconds and everything can be placed on a computer.