The Panametrics Optica, formerly General Eastern, hygrometer offers precision dew point measurement. Precisely controlled by chilled mirror sensing technology, the Optica Hygrometer measures dew point temperature by regulating the temperature of a polished metal mirror by the use of optical feedback such that a constant mass of dew or frost is maintained. The temperature of the mirror is measured with a precise PRTD and is, by definition, equal to the dew or frost point.
The Panametrics Optica chilled mirror hygrometer offers NIST traceable humidity, temperature, and pressure measurements for the connected generation. Now data is accessible from anywhere, any time, from within a browser over the Internet or from your intranet.
Fundamental dew point measurement is a primary measurement used as a transfer standard for calibrating other humidity instruments and sensors. Chilled mirror hygrometers such as the Panametrics Optica Series are used in standards and metrology labs as well as in industrial applications where precise and repeatable humidity measurement and control is required. The inherent accuracy and long term stability provides many advantages over other types of humidity measurement technologies.
Chilled mirrors fundamentally measure the dew or frost point temperature directly by controlling a reflective surface to an equilibrium temperature between dew/frost formation and evaporation, and precisely measuring the temperature of the mirror at this point. Chilled mirrors are also the sensors of choice when process and laboratory measurements call for high precision without long term drift.
The Optica Hygrometer may be used with five fully interchangeable chilled mirror sensors to provide a measurement range from -112°F to 185°F (-80°C to 85°C) dew point with 0.36°F (0.2°C) or better accuracy. Inputs for a 100 ohm RTD and silicon-based piezoresistive pressure transducer ensure precision measurements, which are used to convert the dew point to any metric, English, or user-defined unit of humidity measure.
The Panametrics Optica Chilled Mirror Hygrometer Measures:
| Wet bulb (Tw) |
Enthalpy (h) |
| Water vapor pressure (e) |
Pressure |
| Alarm relays |
Analog outputs |
| Temperature |
Relative humidity (% RH) |
| Dew/frost point (Td) |
Absolute humidity (m/v) |
| Mass mixing ratio (m/m) |
Volume mixing ratio (v/v) |
The Optica hygrometer simultaneously measures dew point, temperature, and pressure. The analyzer is equipped with programmable math functions to produce custom units. In, exp +, -, x and / functions enable derived engineering units to be displayed, recorded, and transmitted to data acquisition systems. The analyzer input channel is a standard 4 to 20 mA/0 to 5 VDC input, so the Optica hygrometer can be connected to any type of process transmitter and be configured to display engineering units.
Applications of the Panametrics Optica Hygrometer
- Calibration labs
- Process control
- Clean rooms
- Environmental test chambers
- Precision HVAC monitoring and control
- Fuel cells
- Heat exchanger and refrigerant coil calorimeters
- Thermal processing/heat treating
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Storage areas
- Pharmaceutical validation chambers
- Engine test cells and emissions testing
- Aircraft engines and turbines
