The 373 Dew Point Mirror is a precision hygrometer exploiting advances in digital technology to satisfy the highest requirements in the measurement of humidity. As a true laboratory reference instrument, the 373 relies on proven optically detected chilled mirror techniques. This ensures a direct, accurate, and stable measurement of the actual humidity over a wide range of temperatures. The measured humidity may be displayed in a variety of parameters including Dew Point, Frost Point, %RH, PPMv, PPMw, Absolute and Specific Humidity. Choose your parameters. Choose your units. Choose your language. Its all user selectable from the front panel.

Head heating, and built in control for external heated hoses, allow for accurate measurement of above ambient dew points. And with the internal gas pump and electronic flowmeter, gas sampling requires the connection of only one external tube. The system is supplied as either a bench style instrument, or can be fitted with optional mounting hardware for a standard 19" rack.

General Information

Graphic Display

Full Color Hi-Resolution LCD Touch Screen -
User Selectable Display Parameters -
Parameters Selectable as Numeric or Graphic -
User Selectable Units -

The system uses an active matrix 640x480-pixel full color liquid crystal display with an integral touch panel. It has a high contrast ration and a wide viewing angle for easy readability. Data is displayed with large, easy to read characters. Using the on screen menus, you can configure the display for for a variety of humidity, temperature, and pressure parameters. The parameters can be viewed in either numeric or graphic (strip chart style) format. System units are user selectable and may be set to any combination of SI and non-SI units.

Digital Control

Digital Measurement and Control of Mirror Temperature - The reflected light from the mirror is continuously measured by a high resolution A/D converter to detect the dew/frost layer thickness. This digital signal is then used in the control algorithm to properly drive the peltier element, establishing and maintaining the dew thickness at the equilibrium point. The mirror temperature is measured by a 100-ohm platinum resistance thermometer which is connected directly to a high accuracy, high precision A/D converter. The resistance of the thermometer is measured by the A/D converter and used, along with calibration coefficients, to computer mirror temperature.

Dew/Frost Determination

Automatically Discriminates Between Dew and Frost - For mirror temperatures above 0ºC, water vapor condenses on the mirror as liquid water (dew). A condensation layer resulting from a mirror temperature above 0ºC is considered a dew point.

For mirror temperatures far below 0ºC, water vapor condenses on the mirror as solid ice (frost). A condensation layer resulting from a mirror temperature far below 0ºC is considered a frost point.

However, for mirror temperatures between 0 and approximately -20ºC, the state - water or ice - of condensed layer is indeterminate. In this temperature range, it is difficult to know, without visual observation, whether the mirror is controlling at the dew point or at the frost point. Since these two states occur at different temperatures for gas of the same water vapor content, it is important to determine which it is. The errors resulting from this problem can be in excess of ± 2ºC

To correct the situation, this system can be commanded to automatically force all sub-zero condensation to a known state of frost. This is accomplished by rapidly cooling the mirror to below -40ºC, then quickly returning it to the previously predicted frostpoint temperature. It is then allowed to stabilize while ensuring the mirror temperature remains below 0ºC. Once forced to frost in this manner, the condensation will remain in frost for all subsequent mirror temperatures that continue to remain below 0ºC.

Once the mirror temperature has risen above 0ºC, any further attempts to stabilize in the indeterminate range between 0 and -20ºC cause the system to once again cycle through forced frost formation. A forced frost cycle may also occur at the completion of any automatic or manual mirror check.

By ensuring that sub-zero mirror temperatures are always forced to frost, the mirror temperature can be taken as the frost point temperature. Since the dew point vapor pressure and the frost point vapor pressure are equal, dew point temperature can be mathematically computed.

ORIS

Optical Response Injection System - ORIS allows for faster measurements at low frost points, generally below about -60ºC. Typically, at these low frost point conditions, a chilled mirror hygrometer must cool the mirror to a value well below the actual frost point temperature in order to start the condensation process on the mirror. But due to the low water vapor content of the gas, it can take a very long time to establish a suitable frost layer on the mirror, then stabilize it at the proper equilibrium temperature. This can often take in excess of several hours. And the lower the frost point, the longer it takes.

ORIS solves this problem by momentarily injecting a small amount of water vapor into the gas stream to assist the initial formation of frost on the mirror, significantly reducing the amount of time required for a stable measurement. Measurements that once took several hours or more, can now be performed in a matter of minutes thanks to ORIS.

Programmable Outputs

2 Configurable 12-Bit Analog Outputs -
User Selectable Parameter and Range -

Communication Interface

Bi-directional RS-232 -
Obtain Readings -
Read/Store System Configuration Parameters -
Verify/Edit Calibration Coefficients -

Abbreviated Specifications

Dew/Frost Point Accuracy: 0.1°C
Dew/Frost Point Ranges Available -60°C to +20°C
(option-L)  -80 to 20°C
(option-LX)  -95 to 20°C
(option-H)  -30 to +70°C
(option-HX)  -20 to +100°C
Readout High Contrast Color Graphic LCD,
Numeric Digits 0.5" (1 cm) High
Power Requirements: (specify when ordering)
 115VAC 60Hz, or 230VAC 50Hz