Temperaturbeständigkeit

Temperaturbestimmung, commonly referred to as temperature measurement, is the process of quantifying the thermal state of a body or environment. It relies on physical properties that vary with temperature, such as electrical resistance, emitted radiation, or physical expansion. Temperature scales are standardized to enable consistent reporting; the kelvin is the SI base unit, with Celsius and Fahrenheit used for everyday measurement. Primary scales and fixed points anchor instruments to known references, including the ice point at 0°C (273.15 K) and the triple point of water at 273.16 K, and are organized within international frameworks such as ITS-90 for practical realizations.

Measurement approaches can be broadly categorized as contact or non-contact. Contact methods attach a sensor directly to the object: thermometers based on liquid expansion, thermocouples that generate a voltage from a junction, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) such as Pt100 sensors, and thermistors whose resistance varies with temperature. Non-contact methods infer temperature from emitted infrared radiation, widely used for moving or delicate objects. Modern systems combine multiple sensors, data loggers, and digital interfaces to monitor temperature over time.

Calibration and uncertainty are central to reliable temperature data. Instruments are calibrated against traceable standards in controlled environments; attention is paid to factors such as sensor immersion, response time, emissivity (for IR devices), and environmental heat exchange. Regulatory and industrial settings often require documented uncertainty budgets and periodic recalibration.

Applications span meteorology, process control in manufacturing, medical devices, food safety, and scientific research. Advances in materials, sensor design, and data processing continue to improve the speed, accuracy, and autonomy of temperature measurement across disciplines.