Hold the calibration nut securely with a wrench or other tool and rotate the head of the thermometer until it reads 32˚F (0˚C). Thermometers should be calibrated regularly to make sure the readings are correct. The ice-point method is the most widely used method to calibrate a thermometer.
– Fill a glass with ice cubes, then top off with cold water.
– Stir the water and let sit for 3 minutes.
– Stir again, then insert your thermometer into the glass, making sure not to touch the sides.
– The temperature should read 32°F (0°C). Record the difference and offset your thermometer as appropriate.
Thereof, How do I know if my thermometer is accurate?
The ice bath test is the easiest way to test a thermometer for accuracy, assuming your thermometer will display temperatures of 32°F or less. The advantage of this method is that an accurate thermometer will always read 32°F in a properly made ice bath regardless of altitude or atmospheric pressure.
Also to know is, How do you fix a thermometer?
Subsequently, question is, How do I know if my digital thermometer is accurate? Add a little clean water until the glass is full and stir. Wait for about three minutes before inserting the sensor on the thermometer into the ice-filled water. Wait for about thirty seconds and check that the thermometer reads 32°F. If it does, then it is accurate, but if not, it requires calibration.
Also, Do thermometers give accurate readings?
Mercury thermometers provide accurate temperature readings and can be used orally, rectally, or under the arm.
How do you test a digital thermometer?
Insert the thermometer stem at least an inch deep in the ice water without letting the stem touch the glass. Wait for the thermometer to register; this usually takes a minute or less. The thermometer is accurate if it registers 32° F or 0° C. (My three thermometers are within 1 degree of accuracy at this end.)Sep 29, 2014
How do I reset my digital thermometer?
– Fill a glass with ice cubes, then top off with cold water.
– Stir the water and let sit for 3 minutes.
– Stir again, then insert your thermometer into the glass, making sure not to touch the sides.
– The temperature should read 32°F (0°C). Record the difference and offset your thermometer as appropriate.
Why is my digital thermometer not working?
For digital thermometers: Test every six months or so (depending on frequency of use) to make sure the thermometer works properly, using either the ice water or boiling water method. Many digital thermometers have reset buttons. If the accuracy is off, adjust the thermometer to the proper temperature using this button.
Can thermometer be wrong?
The new thermometers are ear, axillary, and infrared thermometers. … The surface thermometers were fairly inaccurate with common levels of error hovering around 1/2 to 3 full degrees Fahrenheit. So the actual number on your thermometer is not nearly as important as whether it is over 100.4.
Do different thermometers give different readings?
Always keep in mind that temperature readings vary, based on how the thermometer is administered: Rectal thermometer readings will be around 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) higher than oral temperature readings. … Temporal thermometer readings are often 0.5°F (0.3°C) to 1°F (0.6°C) lower than oral temperature readings.
How do you fix a liquid thermometer?
Once the fluid is in the chamber, remove the thermometer from the beaker and hold it upright vertically. Gently tap it into the palm of your gloved hand to reunite the column. Allow the thermometer to cool slowly. Again, keeping unused thermometers in a storage rack will help prevent future separation.
Can a digital thermometer be wrong?
A digital thermometer should always return accurate readings. Whether you use it for cooking, for measuring body temperature, atmospheric temperature, or any other relevant use, a thermometer should always be made to provide the correct temperature. From time to time, digital thermometers will require recalibrating.
Can you fix a thermometer?
Heating–Heating the thermometer bulb is often the quickest and most successful method of repairing column separations. The heat can be applied by holding the bulb under a faucet of hot running water or by immersion in a pan of slowly heating water.
How do I know if my oral thermometer is accurate?
Ensure there is no air left in the mouth while keeping the thermometer in place. Air in the mouth will cause temperature differences in the mouth tissue, making readings inaccurate. Wait at least 20 seconds even if the thermometer indicates it is already ready. You may also measure twice.
Do digital thermometers read low?
07 degrees Celsius of the reading on the reference thermometer (a mercury thermometer brand most often used by the clinic), but two of the digital units registered lower average temperatures. … One produced a reading lower by . 2 degrees and the other by .
Do you add a degree when using a digital thermometer?
Should I add a degree to oral (under the tongue) and axillary (under the arm) readings? Yes, for the most accuracy. Rectal temperatures are considered most accurate indication of the body’s temperature.
Why is my digital thermometer reading low?
It is standard practice for the majority of digital thermometers to display a “LO” sign when turning the device on. This means “LOW TEMPERATURE”. This is because these types of thermometers are made to measure Body Temperature, so when outside the body, the temperature is usually LOWER.
Don’t forget to share this post 
References and Further Readings :
