INTERNATIONAL OIML R 141

RECOMMENDATION Edition 2008 (E)

Procedure for calibration and verification of the

main characteristics of thermographic instruments

Procédure pour l'étalonnage et la vérification des principales

caractéristiques des instruments thermographiques
OIML R 141 Edition 2008 (E)

ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE
DE MÉTROLOGIE LÉGALE

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
OF LEGAL METROLOGY
OIML R 141:2008 (E)

Contents

Foreword .............................................................................................................................................................4
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................... 5

2 Terminology ............................................................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Thermographic instrument ................................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Thermogram...................................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Standard radiator ............................................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Standard large aperture radiator ........................................................................................................ 5
2.5 Thermal test object............................................................................................................................ 5
2.6 Number of sensitive elements (detecting elements of the thermogram) ........................................... 5
2.7 Field of view ..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.8 Instantaneous field of view (IFOV)................................................................................................... 6
2.9 Spatial (angular) resolution ............................................................................................................... 6
2.10 Noise equivalent temperature difference (temperature resolution, ΔTNETD) ...................................... 6
2.11 Sensitivity to non-uniformity in the field of a thermographic instrument ......................................... 6

3 Characteristics of a thermographic instrument to be verified............................................................. 6

4 Conditions of verification and calibration ............................................................................................. 7

5 Methods for verification and calibration ............................................................................................... 7

5.1 Procedures and means of verification ............................................................................................... 7
5.2 External examination......................................................................................................................... 7
5.3 Testing and functional check............................................................................................................. 9
5.4 Determination of noise equivalent temperature difference ............................................................... 9
5.5 Determination of the number of defective sensitive elements of a thermogram ............................. 10
5.6 Determination of the field of view and instantaneous field of view................................................ 10
5.7 Determination of the spatial (angular) resolution............................................................................ 12
5.8 Checking the range and estimating the accuracy of the radiation temperature measurement ......... 13
5.9 Determination of the sensitivity to non-uniformity in the field....................................................... 14
5.10 Check of the influence of environmental conditions on the performance of the instrument........... 14
5.11 Determination of the repeatability of thermographic instrument readings...................................... 15
5.12 Drawing up verification and calibration results .............................................................................. 15
Annex A (Informative) Sketch of the thermal test object with a variable slit................................................... 17
Annex B (Informative) Sketch of the thermal test object with marks............................................................... 18
Annex C (Informative) Calculation of the spatial resolution in the horizontal direction..... Erreur ! Signet non
défini.
Annex D (Informative) Thermographic instrument verification report ................... Erreur ! Signet non défini.

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

Foreword

The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) is a worldwide, intergovernmental organization

whose primary aim is to harmonize the regulations and metrological controls applied by the national
metrological services, or related organizations, of its Member States. The main categories of OIML publications
are:

ƒ International Recommendations (OIML R), which are model regulations that establish the
metrological characteristics required of certain measuring instruments and which specify methods and
equipment for checking their conformity. OIML Member States shall implement these
Recommendations to the greatest possible extent;

ƒ International Documents (OIML D), which are informative in nature and which are intended to
harmonize and improve work in the field of legal metrology;

ƒ International Guides (OIML G), which are also informative in nature and which are intended to give
guidelines for the application of certain requirements to legal metrology; and

ƒ International Basic Publications (OIML B), which define the operating rules of the various OIML
structures and systems.

OIML Draft Recommendations, Documents and Guides are developed by Technical Committees or
Subcommittees which comprise representatives from the Member States. Certain international and regional
institutions also participate on a consultation basis. Cooperative agreements have been established between the
OIML and certain institutions, such as ISO and the IEC, with the objective of avoiding contradictory
requirements. Consequently, manufacturers and users of measuring instruments, test laboratories, etc. may
simultaneously apply OIML publications and those of other institutions.

International Recommendations, Documents, Guides and Basic Publications are published in English (E) and
translated into French (F) and are subject to periodic revision.

Additionally, the OIML publishes or participates in the publication of Vocabularies (OIML V) and periodically
commissions legal metrology experts to write Expert Reports (OIML E). Expert Reports are intended to
provide information and advice, and are written solely from the viewpoint of their author, without the
involvement of a Technical Committee or Subcommittee, nor that of the CIML. Thus, they do not necessarily
represent the views of the OIML.

This publication - reference OIML R 141, edition 2008 (E) - was developed by the OIML Technical
Subcommittee TC 11/SC 3 Radiation thermometers. It was sanctioned for final publication by the International
Conference of Legal Metrology in 2008.

OIML Publications may be downloaded from the OIML web site in the form of PDF files. Additional
information on OIML Publications may be obtained from the Organization’s headquarters:

Bureau International de Métrologie Légale

11, rue Turgot - 75009 Paris - France
Telephone: 33 (0)1 48 78 12 82
Fax: 33 (0)1 42 82 17 27
E-mail: biml@oiml.org
Internet: www.oiml.org

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

Procedure for calibration and verification of the main

characteristics of thermographic instruments

1 Scope
This Recommendation applies to general purpose thermographic instruments and specifies the
procedure for their calibration, and also for their initial and subsequent verifications.

2 Terminology
2.1 Thermographic instrument
Optoelectronic instrument designed for non-contact (remote) observation, measurement and
registration of the space/space-time distribution of the radiation temperature of objects, in the field of
view of the instrument, by forming a time sequence of thermograms and by determining the
temperature1 of the object surface on the basis of the known emittance and influence parameters
(ambient temperature, atmospheric transmission, observation distance, etc.).

2.2 Thermogram
Multiple-element, two-dimensional image, each element being attributed a color, or a color gradation,
or a screen brightness level, which is determined in correspondence with a conventional radiation
scale.

2.3 Standard radiator

Radiator that complies with a black body model (BB).

2.4 Standard large aperture radiator

Standard radiator (i.e. a reference radiator), whose angular dimensions are at least ten times larger than
the instantaneous field of view of the thermographic instrument2.

2.5 Thermal test object

Device intended to create a plane picture containing a heat-radiating object with a preset spatial
frequency, or shape or temperature contrast on a uniform radiating background with a known
temperature value and a known emittance value of the object and background.

2.6 Number of sensitive elements (detecting elements of the thermogram)

Number of photosensitive elements which form the thermographic instrument photodetector.

1)
According to the International Temperature Scale (ITS-90).
2)
If the thermographic instrument has a large instantaneous field of view angle, an angular dimension of the standard
reference radiator should be wide enough to cover the instantaneous field of view of the thermographic instrument.

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

2.7 Field of view

Solid angle within which the thermogram is formed.

2.8 Instantaneous field of view (IFOV)

Space angle within which the infrared radiation is detected by one photosensitive element of the
photodetector.

2.9 Spatial (angular) resolution

Dimension (angle, or sensitive elements) of a slit on a screen installed in front of a large aperture
radiator in the field of view of the thermographic instrument, when the ratio between the peak
increment of the slit temperature over the screen temperature to the temperature difference of the
radiator and the screen reaches the preset value.

2.10 Noise equivalent temperature difference (temperature resolution, ΔTNETD)

Temperature increment equal to the root-mean-square value of the noise in a thermogram, when
observing a homogeneous background set with a specified temperature and a specified thermogram
rate.

2.11 Sensitivity to non-uniformity in the field of a thermographic instrument

Maximum value of the temperature difference of thermogram fragments from a standard large
aperture radiator, with a uniform radiation over the surface.

3 Characteristics of a thermographic instrument to be verified

In the process of verification, the following metrological characteristics of a thermographic instrument
shall be determined:
ƒ spatial resolution;
ƒ field of view;
ƒ instantaneous field of view;
ƒ accuracy of radiation temperature measurement;
ƒ noise equivalent temperature difference;
ƒ number of damaged sensitive elements;
ƒ sensitivity to non-uniformity in the field;
ƒ influence of environmental conditions on the performance of the instrument; and
ƒ repeatability of the thermographic instrument readings.

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

4 Conditions of verification and calibration

The process of verification and calibration should be carried out in a stable indoor environment within
the temperature range from 20 °C to 25 °C and with a relative humidity in the range from 40 % to
80 %, unless other conditions are specified in the certificate of the thermographic instrument. The
thermographic instrument should not be affected by shocks, vibrations, external electromagnetic fields
or external radiation sources affecting the readings of measuring instruments.

5 Methods for verification and calibration

5.1 Procedures and means of verification
5.1.1 The procedures and measuring instruments which shall be utilized in the process of
verification and calibration are listed in Table 1.

5.1.2 All measuring instruments indicated in Table 1 shall be accompanied by the relevant
verification or certification documents.

5.1.3 All measuring instruments and the thermographic instrument to be verified are prepared for
operation according to their in-line documentation (ID).

5.1.4 Specialists qualified for performing verification in the field of temperature and radiometric
measuring instruments are considered as qualified for verification and calibration.

5.2 External examination

5.2.1 The external examination should demonstrate:
ƒ the correspondence of the complete set and marking of a thermographic instrument to its ID;
ƒ the correspondence of a thermographic instrument to the safety requirements stated in the
certificate and/or in the operating manual (OM); and
ƒ the absence of any external damage to the thermographic instrument set to be verified (such
damage may have an impact on its metrological characteristics).

A thermographic instrument which does not meet these requirements cannot be considered as verified.

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

Obligation of procedure
Item in the Means of verification and their Periodical
Procedure Initial
Recommendation metrological characteristics verification
verification
/calibration
1. External examination 5.2 Yes Yes
2. Testing. 5.3 Radiator in the form of a BB model. Yes Yes
Functional check of
thermographic
instruments under
various conditions
3. Determination of noise 5.4 Standard (reference) large aperture Yes Yes
equivalent temperature radiator for the temperature range over
difference the ambient temperature by
10 °C with an emissivity not less than
0.96. The temperature instability is not
more than ± 0.05 °C/min.
4. Determination of the 5.5 Standard (reference) large aperture Yes Yes
number of defective radiator (See 5.4).
elements
5. Determination of field 5.6 1. Standard (reference) large aperture Yes No
of view and radiator (See 5.4).
instantaneous field of 2. Thermal test objects with an
view emissivity not less than 0.96. See
the sketch of the test objects in
Annex A and Annex B.
3. Measuring rule with a length of 500
mm and a scale factor of 1 mm.
6. Determination of 5.7 1. Standard (reference) large aperture Yes Yes
spatial (angular) radiator (See 5.4).
resolution 2. Thermal test object (See 5.6).
7. Checking the range 5.8 Standard (reference) radiator. Yes Yes
and estimation of
accuracy of radiation
temperature
measurement
8. Determination of 5.9 Standard radiator (See 5.8). Yes Yes
sensitivity to non-
uniformity in the field
9. Check of the influence 5.10 Standard (reference) radiator Yes No
of environmental (See 5.8). Climatic chamber.
conditions on the
performance of the
instrument
10. Determination of 5.11 Standard (reference) large aperture Yes No
repeatability of radiator (See 5.4).
thermographic
instrument readings

Table 1 Procedures and means of verification and calibration of thermographic instruments

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

5.3 Testing and functional check

5.3.1 Testing (performance check)
The thermographic instrument is switched on and its performances are checked in correspondence
with the OM.
A thermographic instrument that has malfunctioned during the testing process cannot be considered as
verified.

5.3.2 Functional check of a thermographic instrument under various conditions

The thermographic instrument and the radiator (BB model) are set up accordingly to their OM. The
thermographic instrument is focused on the emitting surface of the radiation source.
The functioning of the thermographic instrument is checked under all conditions specified in the OM.
If the functions specified in the OM or certificate do not operate under any of the conditions, the
thermographic instrument cannot be considered as verified.

5.4 Determination of noise equivalent temperature difference

5.4.1 Measurements are taken at a distance that ensures full covering of the field of view of the
thermographic instrument by the radiator aperture.

5.4.2 The temperature of the standard (reference) large aperture radiator is set at 30 °C or at the
temperature specified in the OM or certificate for determining the relevant characteristics.

5.4.3 The thermographic instrument is focused on the central area of the radiator aperture and is
fixed in the chosen position. Two thermograms are recorded in the memory of the thermographic
instrument in a short interval of time.

5.4.4 The temperature difference Δtij (°С) of each sensitive element in the areas of the recorded
thermograms, which includes not less than a statistically significant number of sensitive elements, is
determined using the software provided with the thermographic instrument, or is calculated by the
formula:
Δt ij = t ij( 1 ) − t ij( 2 ) (1)

where:
tij(1) is the temperature of the sensitive element of the first thermogram with (i;j) coordinates (°C);
tij(2) is the temperature of the sensitive element of the second thermogram with (i;j) coordinates (°C).

5.4.5 The temperature resolution ΔtNETD, °С is calculated by the formula:

2 X Y (Δt ij − Δt )
2

Δt NETD =
2
∑ ∑
i=1 j=1 X ⋅Y
(2)

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

where:
Δtij is the temperature difference of the sensitive element of the first thermogram with (i; j) coordinates
(°C);
Δ t is the mean temperature difference (°C);

X is the number of sensitive elements in the horizontal direction;

Y is the number of sensitive elements in the vertical direction.

5.4.6 If a thermographic instrument has several thermal working ranges, the noise equivalent
temperature difference shall be defined for each working range.

5.4.7 The received value of ΔtNETD shall not exceed that specified in the OM or certificate of the
thermographic instrument.

5.5 Determination of the number of defective sensitive elements of a thermogram

5.5.1 The procedures described in 5.4.1 and 5.4.2 are carried out.

5.5.2 The thermographic instrument is pointed at the central region of the radiator aperture and is
fixed in a chosen position. The thermogram is recorded in the storage device of the thermographic
instrument.

5.5.3 With the help of the software provided with the thermographic instrument, the defective
sensitive elements are identified. The deviation of the temperatures of each sensitive element δt (°С)
from the mean value of temperature of thermogram (°С) shall not exceed the value of temperature
resolution, determined in 5.4, more than 6 times. The sensitive element for which the deviation of the
temperature does not meet this requirement is declared defective.

5.5.4 The number of defective sensitive elements shall not exceed 0.3 % of the total number of
sensitive elements specified in the OM or shall not exceed the value specified in the OM, or
certificate, of the thermographic instrument.

5.6 Determination of the field of view and instantaneous field of view

5.6.1 Selection of the working distance
5.6.1.1 The temperature of the standard (reference) large aperture radiator is set 10 °C higher than the
ambient temperature. A thermal test object with a variable slit is placed in front of the radiator at a
distance of 1–3 cm.

5.6.1.2 The operating mode of a thermographic instrument should be able to attain its maximum
sensitivity. The image of the thermal test object shall match the central area of the thermogram.

5.6.1.3 The maximum width of the slit is set and the maximum temperature of the slit in the
thermogram is measured.

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

5.6.1.4 The working distance, R (mm), is chosen as the maximum distance between the thermographic
instrument objective and the thermal test object with a variable slit which provides for the maximum
temperature value of the slit in the thermogram, the slit being opened completely.

5.6.2 Determination of the field of view and the instantaneous field of view
5.6.2.1 The temperature of the standard (reference) large aperture radiator is set 10 ºC higher than the
ambient temperature. A thermal test object with marks is placed in front of the radiator at a distance of
1–3 cm.

5.6.2.2 The operating mode shall enable the thermographic instrument to attain its maximum
sensitivity. The image of the thermal test object shall match with the central area of the thermogram.
Measurements are carried out at the working distance, R, specified in 5.6.1.

5.6.2.3 The marginal marks, recorded horizontally or vertically, are noted on the obtained
thermogram. The distance between the marginal marks of the test object is measured in millimeters
and in sensitive elements.

5.6.2.4 The instantaneous field of view (IFOV) γ (rad) is calculated by the formula:

2 A
γ= arctg (3)
a 2R

where:
a is the distance between the marginal marks of the test object (element);
A is the distance between the marginal marks of the test object (mm);
R is working distance determined in 5.4.1 (in mm).

5.6.2.5 The field of view in horizontal φx and vertical φy directions, degrees, is determined,
respectively, by the formulas:

180
ϕ x= γ ⋅ X ⋅ (4)
π

180
ϕ y= γ ⋅Y ⋅ (5)
π

where:
γ is instantaneous field of view (IFOV) (rad);
X is the number of sensitive elements in the horizontal direction;
Y is the number of sensitive elements in the vertical direction.

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

5.6.2.6 The instantaneous field of view γ and the fields of view φx and φy should correspond to those
indicated in the OM or in the certificate of the thermographic instrument.

5.7 Determination of the spatial (angular) resolution

5.7.1 Determination of the scale parameter
5.7.1.1 The sequence of operations is carried out in accordance with 5.6.2.2 and 5.6.2.3.

5.7.1.2 The distances between the holes of the thermal test object are measured in sensitive elements,
using the obtained thermogram of the thermal test object with marks.

5.7.1.3 The scale parameter k is determined as a ratio of the distance between the corresponding holes
on the thermogram (element) and those on the thermal test object (mm).

5.7.2 Determination of the resolution in the horizontal direction

5.7.2.1 The temperature of the large aperture radiator is set 10 °C higher than the ambient
temperature. A thermal test object with a variable slit is placed in front of the radiator at the distance
of 1–3 cm in the vertical direction (the slit axis is orientated vertically along the height of the
thermogram).

5.7.2.2 The sequence of operations is carried out in accordance with 5.6.2.2.

5.7.2.3 The maximum width of the slit is set and then measured. The maximum temperature of the slit
ttmax (ºC) is determined on the basis of the thermogram. On the basis of the temperature measurement
results the contrast of the slit KS on the thermograms is calculated by the formula:

t
t max − t 0t
Ks = (6)
t s − t 0t
where:
ttmax is the maximum temperature value of the slit with the width A determined by the thermogram
(°С);
tt0 is the mean temperature value of the shutters determined by the thermogram (°С);
ts is the maximum temperature value of the slit at the maximum width determined by the thermogram
(°С).

5.7.2.4 On the basis of the recorded values of the slit width A, mm, the slit width a on the image
plane (thermogram) is calculated by the formula:

a = A⋅k (7)
where:
a is the slit size (element);
A is the slit width (mm);
k is the scale parameter determined by 5.7.1 (elements/mm).

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

5.7.2.5 The slit width A (mm) is reduced and measurements are taken according to 5.7.2.3 and 5.7.2.4.

5.7.2.6 The procedures from 5.7.2.5 are performed at least five times.

5.7.2.7 On the basis of the obtained measurement results, the dependence of slit contrast on
thermograms Ks upon slit width a (element) – the slit response function (SRF) is set:

SRF = Ks(a) (8)

5.7.2.8 An example for calculating the spatial resolution in the horizontal direction FX is given in
Annex C.

5.7.2.9 The resolution in the horizontal direction FX, equal to the resolution in the angular direction
or, in terms of sensitive elements, to the slit size, should correspond to the value specified in the OM
or in the certificate of the thermographic instrument, for a specified value of the slit contrast.

5.7.3 Determination of resolution in the vertical direction

5.7.3.1 The vertical resolution is determined in a similar way to that described in 5.7.2. The thermal
test object with variable slit is set flat (the slit axis being orientated along the thermogram row). To
calculate the angular dimension of the slit, the angle of the field of view of the thermographic
instrument ϕy, determined in 5.7 and the number of the vertical sensitive elements of the thermogram
Y are used.

5.7.3.2 The resolution in the vertical direction FY equal to the angular one or to the slit size in
sensitive elements should correspond to the value specified in the OM or certificate of the
thermographic instrument, the slit contrast value also being fixed.

5.8 Checking the range and estimating the accuracy of the radiation
temperature measurement
5.8.1 Measurements are taken at a distance from the reference radiator and the thermographic
instrument that ensures coverage, by the aperture of the radiator, greater than 20 % of the field of view
of the thermographic instrument. The emitting surface of the standard radiator is matched with the
central area of the thermogram.

5.8.2 The accuracy of a thermographic instrument is determined for at least five points of the
working temperature range (the lower, the upper and three points within the range) for each operation
mode (temperature range). When the steady-state conditions of a radiator are set, a minimum of five
measurements is taken by the thermographic instrument for each temperature.
The mean value of the radiation temperature of the standard radiator is determined using the
thermogram ttmean (°С) taking into account its emissivity and the temperature of the background
radiation.

5.8.6.3 The accuracy Δt (°С) for each temperature of a thermographic instrument is calculated by the
formula:
Δt = t − t t
90 mean
(9)

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

where:
t
t mean is the mean temperature value in the area confining the image of the radiator aperture on the
thermogram, which is determined by the thermographic instrument (°С);
t90 is the temperature of the standard radiator (°С).

5.8.4 The results of verification or calibration are considered to be favorable if the accuracy
calculated by Eq. (9) does not exceed the values specified in the OM for all points.

5.9 Determination of the sensitivity to non-uniformity in the field

5.9.1 The procedures in 5.8.1 are carried out.

5.9.2 The sensitivity to non-uniformity in the field of a thermographic instrument is determined at

five points of the working temperature range (the lower, the upper and three points within the range).
When the steady-state conditions of the radiator are set, a minimum of five measurements is taken at
each temperature.

5.9.3 The emitting surface of the standard radiator is positioned successively within at least five
different areas of the thermogram (e.g. with the center and four corners of the thermogram).

5.9.4 The mean temperature of the radiation source corresponding to the source aperture is
measured in various positions on the thermogram.

5.9.5 The sensitivity to non-uniformity in the field of a thermographic instrument δt (°C) is

calculated by the formula:

δt = t max − t min (10)

where:
t max is the maximum temperature value among the mean obtained temperatures;
t min is the minimum temperature value in the area of the thermogram.

5.9.6 The received value of δt should not exceed that specified in the OM or certificate of the
thermographic instrument.

5.10 Check of the influence of environmental conditions on the performance

of the instrument
5.10.1 The check of the influence of environmental conditions on the performance of the instrument
shall be carried out in a climatic chamber at the upper and lower limits of operating temperature and
humidity values.

5.10.2 Measurements are taken according to 5.8.1.

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

5.10.3 The check of the influence of environmental conditions on the performance of the
thermographic instrument is determined for three points of the working temperature range (the lower,
the upper and one point within the range) for each operation mode (temperature range). When the
steady-state conditions of the radiator are set, a minimum of five measurements using the
thermographic instrument is taken for each temperature. The average (mean) value of the standard
radiator radiation temperature is determined using the thermogram ttmean (°C) taking into account its
emissivity and the background radiation temperature.

5.10.4 The accuracy of the thermographic instrument ΔtEC (°C) for each its temperature is calculated
by the formula:

Δt EC = t90 − t mean
t
(11)
where:
t
tmean is the mean temperature value in the region confining the image of the radiator aperture on the
thermogram, which is determined by the thermographic instrument (°C);
t90 is the value of the standard radiator (°C).

5.10.4 The accuracy of the thermographic instrument (5.8) must be valid over the complete operating
ambient temperature and air humidity range specified in the operating manual for the instrument, if not
stated otherwise. If the accuracy does comply with the complete ambient conditions operating range,
the manufacturer must state a temperature and humidity coefficients which give the additional
measurement uncertainty when the instrument temperature deviates from a given reference
temperature.

5.11 Determination of the repeatability of thermographic instrument readings

5.11.1 The temperature of the standard (reference) large aperture radiator is set 10 °C higher than the
ambient temperature.

5.11.2 The image of the center of the standard extended radiator matches with the central region of
the thermogram; measurements are taken every 10–15 seconds during 15 minutes, if no other
minimum time interval is specified in the OM.

5.11.3 The mean temperature values are determined on the basis of the measurement results during
three time intervals, five minutes each. The difference between the minimum and maximum values of
the mean temperature values should not exceed the temperature repeatability specified in the OM or
certificate of the thermographic instrument.

5.12 Drawing up verification and calibration results

5.12.1 Verification and calibration results are recorded in reports, the forms for which are given in
Annex D.

5.12.2 A verification or calibration certificate is issued if the verification or calibration results are
favorable. If the verification or calibration results are unfavorable, a notice of non-serviceability of the
thermographic instrument is issued and the reasons are identified.

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

5.12.3 The verification or calibration certificate shall contain the following data and parameters:
ƒ spatial (angular) resolution;
ƒ field of view;
ƒ instantaneous field of view (IFOV);
ƒ accuracy of the radiation temperature measurement;
ƒ noise equivalent temperature difference (temperature resolution, ΔTNETD);
ƒ number of defective sensitive elements;
ƒ sensitivity to non-uniformity in the field;
ƒ influence of environmental conditions on the performance of the instrument; and
ƒ repeatability.

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 OIML R 141:2008 (E)

Annex A
Sketch of the thermal test object with a variable slit
(Informative)

h
1
A l

2
Figure A1 Sketch of the thermal test object with a variable slit

The shutters of the thermal test object are made of copper, 1 mm thick, and are blackened on the outer
side.
1)
standard large aperture radiator;
2)
thermal test object with a variable slit (shutter height h = const, distance between the shutters
l changes from 0 to 50 mm, the pitch being 1 mm, the uncertainty of setting the slit width is
±0.1 mm).

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

Annex B
Sketch of the thermal test object with marks
(Informative)

15

d
30
500
30 15

500

Figure B1 Sketch of the thermal test object with marks

Material – copper, 1 mm thick.

The outer side is blackened.
d – diameter of the hole (10 mm).

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

Annex C
Calculation of the spatial resolution in the horizontal direction
(Informative)

With the Gaussian approximation of the line spread function, the function of the slit response is
determined by the ratio transformed to the table function erf(x):

a
SRF(a) = erf( ) (C.1)
2σ
where:
a is the slit width (element);
σ is a parameter determining the width of the spread function line (element).

An approximation of the experimental data array (Ksi, ai) using equation C.1 is made when choosing
the value of the parameter σ that will ensure the minimum value of the standard deviation of the
experimental data from the specified function:

1 N a
S= ∑
N − 1 i =1
( K Si − erf ( i ) ) 2
2σ
(C.2)

where:
N is the number of measurement results.

The spatial resolution in the horizontal direction is determined as the slit width, for which the contrast
on the thermogram is equal to 99 % of the maximum value:

Fx = σx·3.64 (C3)

where:
σx is the value of the parameter σ (element) in the sensitive elements, chosen as a result of the
approximation.

The angular dimension of the space resolution in the horizontal direction is determined in rad:
⎛ F ϕ ⎞
Σ x = 2 arctg ⎜ x tg x ⎟ (C4)
⎜ X 2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠
where:
X is the number of sensitive elements in a row of the thermogram;
ϕx is the angle of field of view of the thermographic instrument along a row (grad).

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OIML R 141:2008 (E)

Annex D
Thermographic instrument verification report
(Informative)

D.1 Verification conditions

D.1.1 Humidity
D.1.2 Ambient temperature

D.2 Results obtained in determining the instantaneous field of view and the angle of field
of view in the horizontal and vertical directions
D.2.1 The angle of field of view of the thermographic instrument was measured against a thermal
test object with marks.
ƒ Temperature of the standard large aperture radiator, t90, ___°С.
ƒ Working distance from the radiator, R, ____ mm.
ƒ Instantaneous field of view, γ, ___ rad.
ƒ The thermographic instrument angle of field of view is equal to, in the horizontal direction,
ϕх, __ degrees, in the vertical direction, ϕу, ____ degrees.
ƒ Measurement uncertainty is __________.

D.3 Results of determining the noise equivalent temperature difference

• Temperature of the standard large aperture radiator, t90: ___°С.
• Noise equivalent temperature difference, ΔtNETD: ___°C.
• Number of defective sensitive elements, ____elements.

D.4 Determining the spatial (angular) resolution of the thermographic instrument having the
horizontal field of view of _____ degrees, and vertical field of view ______ degrees.
The spatial resolution of the thermographic instrument is determined by the slit response function
(SRF) in the horizontal and vertical directions, and is measured against a thermal test object having a
variable slit.
Temperature of the standard (reference) large aperture radiator, t90, ___°С.

D.4.1 Results obtained in determining the spatial resolution of the thermographic instrument:
Spatial resolution in the horizontal direction Fx Spatial resolution in the vertical direction Fy
In sensitive elements In millirad In sensitive elements In millirad

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 OIML R 141:2008 (E)

D.5 Results of checking the temperature range and determining the accuracy

Temperature of the Reading of the Accuracy, Permissible error of Measurement

standard radiator, tmean thermographic the thermographic uncertainty (°C)
Δt (°C)
(°C) instrument, ttmean (°C) instrument (°C)

D.6 Results of determining the sensitivity to non-uniformity in the field

Mean measured temperature of the standard radiator for different positions of the standard radiator in
the field of the thermogram:
Temperature of the standard radiator, t90 (°C)

Mean measured In the upper left region of the

temperature, thermogram
In the upper right region of the
ttmean (°C)
thermogram
In the central region of the thermogram

In the lower left region of the

thermogram
In the lower right region of the
thermogram

Maximum value of the mean temperatures obtained, t max (°C)

Minimum value of the mean temperatures obtained, t min (°C)

Sensitivity to non-uniformity over the field, δt (°C)

Measurement uncertainty (°C)

D.7 Results of checking the influence of environmental conditions on the performance of the
instrument
Condition in the climatic Temperature Reading of the Error in Permissible error of Measurement
chamber of the standard thermographic readings, the thermographic uncertainty
radiator, t90 instrument, Δt (°C) instrument (°C) (°C)
Temperature Humidity (°C)
(°C) (%) ttmean (°C)

D.8 Results of checking the repeatability of the thermographic instrument readings

Temperature Mean Mean Mean Difference Temperature Measurement
of the measured measured measured between maximum repeatability of uncertainty
standard temperature temperature temperature and minimum thermographic (°C)
radiator, t90 for the 1st for the 2nd for the 3rd values of the instrument (°C)
(°C) time time time mean temperature
interval, interval, interval, values,
ttmean1 ttmean2 ttmean3
Δ ttmean (°C)
(°C) (°C) (°C)

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