Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e

Characteristics and Operations Scope of the Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e

If you decide to invest in a thermal conductivity test tool you should opt for the guarded hot plate apparatus in accordance with ISO 8302, EN 1946-2. It features major technological improvements compared to the frequently used heat flow meters according to ISO 8301, EN 1946-3.

The single-specimen Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e is a guarded hot plate apparatus and measures the thermal conductivity, thermal resistance as well as the k-value and U-value respectively of an insulating material and other products. Tests are done in accordance with ISO 8302, EN 1946-2, EN 12664, EN 12667, EN 12939, ASTM C177 and DIN 52612. and a high accuracy as required by test authorities.

It has been approved for use by test institutes or (higher education) institutes as well as for internal factory production control.

Completely new in the design is that stationary thermal conditions can be achieved in the measurement zone. Three protective heating rings and a thermostatic heating ring (can be used for heating and cooling) are separated by gap controls and can be controlled individually to allow for convenient handling. The open design has a greater potential for automated solutions. It does not require a thermostatically controlled measurement chamber indispensable for the regular tool-type.

This improvement was accomplished by micro-systems technology and other modern technologies that have been applied to the design of the sensor-plates. The development of a three-dimensional model for the special temperature field also contributed to the success.

An intelligent microprocessor control provides ideal test parameters without manual operations for the internal regulation of the heating and cooling cycles for fast and efficient production of a stationary temperature field within the test zone.

Because the tool is not fitted with a measurement chamber it is often thought that the guarded hot plate apparatus λ-Meter EP500e does not comply with applicable standards. However its conformity to standards ISO 8302, EN 1946-2, EN 12664, EN 12667, EN 12939, ASTM C177 and DIN 52612 have been confirmed and certified.

Both design types, i.e. single-specimen and double-specimen comply with the standards and have been officially approved for CE-certification. We have opted for the manufacturing and sale of the single-specimen test tool. Its technology and engineering are more complex, but it is more user-friendly and easier to operate.

A double-specimen tool type cannot measure the thermal conductivity of a single specimen but only the mean average of two specimens that must be inserted. Specimen insertion and operations are much more convenient with the single-specimen tool type.

The Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) can test the thermal conductivity at exactly the desired test temperature. Its heat control does not switch off when thermal conditions within the specimen are almost stationary to allow for adjusting to the test temperature. This is common for heat flow meters and in most cases leads to marginal differences between real and desired test temperatures. For the evaluation of λ10 on the guarded hot plate apparatus only a single test is needed. This contrasts with a series of up to three different temperatures needed on other tools and formerly required by DIN 52612.

The Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) can automatically complete three subsequent tests on one specimen at different temperatures between 10...40 °C. Based on the individual test results the tool can compute λ10, R10 and TK (temperature coefficient of thermal conductivity) by applying linear regression.

The Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e evaluates specimen thickness or alternatively it can be entered and preset.

The thickness of the specimen on the Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) is measured in accordance to EN 823 (DIN 18164 and 18165 respectively) for a given pressure of between 50 ... 2500 Pa (surface area exertion according to EN 13162 ... 13171 for insulating materials). After insertion of the specimen the upper sensor-plate is lowered until the given pressure is reached. Before reaching its final position the lowering mechanism switches to crawl speed.

It is also possible to enter the specimen thickness (nominal thickness). In that case the upper sensor plate will automatically lower to the given level. This may be useful for e.g. extremely soft insulating materials (e.g. mineral wool of low raw density).

The Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) evaluates the thermal conductivity and thermal resistance every 30 seconds in exact accordance with standards (section 5.3.2 of EN 13162...13171) “at the tested thickness”.

In addition, the standard deviation of the measured values of the last 15 minutes is calculated every 30 seconds. This is a good help to decide whether the temperature field in the measuring zone is sufficiently stationary and thus the measurement can be terminated.

The single-specimen Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) has been pre-adjusted to a specific measurement range in order to facilitate the testing of insulating, light and heavy construction materials. This increases accuracy. The relevant ranges are set for test temperatures of 10 °C ... 40 °C, thermal conductivity of λ = 3...500 mW/m·K and a thermal resistance of R = 0,125 ... 5 m²·K/W, based on a temperature difference between the plates of 5...15 K.

If required, the Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) can also be equipped with a modification for lower measuring temperatures of down to -10 °C and for higher measuring temperatures of up to 50 °C (-10 °C to 50 °C).

The single Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) can be fitted with a second and smaller measurement zone for smaller size specimens of 150 x 150 mm². (R = 0,03...0,25 m²·K/W und λ = 0,25...2,0 W/m·K) This area will activate automatically on insertion and is suitable for materials such as concrete if you want to test them for thermal conductivity and thermal resistance on the tool used for testing insulating materials. 

Material specimens of 10 to 200 mm in thickness can be tested on the guarded hot plate apparatus λ-Meter EP500e. With a special option, also thickness smaller than 10mm are possible.

The preferred specimen dimension is 500 x 500 mm², smaller sizes and overlaps to one side and dimension are however possible. 

With a special specimen insertion device (can be ordered with tool) loose materials can also be tested.

If the testing temperature is lower than the ambient temperature (especially when testing for λ10) the cooling rings (thermostatic rings) situated on either side edge of the sensor plates serve as humidity traps and prevent the entering of humidity into the testing zone, which would otherwise lead to inaccuracies. 

If the testing temperature is lower than the ambient temperature (especially when testing for λ10) the cooling rings (thermostatic rings) situated on either side edge of the sensor plates serve as humidity traps and prevent the entering of humidity into the testing zone, which would otherwise lead to inaccuracies . 

This is particularly useful for specimens that are sensitive to humidity and hydroscopic in nature (e.g. consisting of organic material) and a big advantage over other plate apparatus or heat flow meters. 

Compensation pads are needed for testing solid and uneven materials. Temperature sensor films are available for measuring the temperature on the surface specimen between the specimen and the pad layers. They are much more reliable than singular thermocouples used otherwise. 

The operation and handling of the Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) is easy and straight-forward. It does not require a special skill or training. Working hours needed for operating the tool are limited.

The Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) does not require a temperature-controlled environment. Any room will do. It does however require mains connection. The test tool is not nosier than a desktop PC and does not develop a lot of heat. 

The use of high-performance peltier coolers in combination with an advanced process control for achieving stationary thermal conditions within the specimen ensure that test periods are kept as short as physically possible.

To maximise the use of the Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) a flashlight signalling the test end can be mounted on the tool or elsewhere (e.g. outside the test room) if connected. Similarly a sound alarm can be used.

The single-specimen Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) is reliable over o long period of time. Deviations will not occur even after many years of service.

The principal design of the Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e is modular. It can be modified and upgraded to meet the needs of the owner. Components can be added step-by-step. Full compatibility is guaranteed.

The Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) is offered and supplied together with an enhanced software package that is Windows-based (all versions). This package, called “EP500 - Control Program” facilitates a more convenient handling of the tool. It also includes comprehensive options for evaluation, processing and electronic filing of test results. It’s the key to an all-inclusive and full service.

The Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus) has an automatic failure report and analysis system as well as an advanced service software. It is inbuilt in the “EP500 - Control Program”. It processes and selectively transmits relevant data including the time-graphs of all 17 (!) heat and control signals to the tool manufacturer. Transmission is done electronically directly from the tool-linked PC.

Companies that are ISO9000 certified or planning to do so, can ask for a tool configuration that allows regular verification of the accuracy of the Thermal Conductivity Test Tool λ-Meter EP500e (guarded hot plate apparatus). This configuration allows the owner to check and verify anytime that testing of the individual properties and signals needed for evaluation of thermal conductivity is still done with the same accuracy. Those values especially specimen surface temperature, voltage and current of heating plate as well as gap control and counter heater details can be taken and checked by inserting a high-precision digital voltmeter into multi-coloured plugs situated at rear of the tool.

A diagnosis of the tool over distance by Lambda-Meßtechnik GmbH Dresden can also be done. In that case the tool owner will be sent the error analysis report confirming the long-term reliability of the individual test signals that are relevant for the calculation of thermal conductivity. The user then has to output the internal data by using the service module of the "EP500-Control Program" and send it to the tool manufacturer by e-mail.