EXTECH RH101 Hygro Thermometer Plus InfraRed Thermometer User Manual

: June 13, 2024
: EXTECH

Table of Contents

Introduction
Safety
Meter Description
Display Layout
Operation
InfraRed Measurement Considerations
Maintenance
Specifications
Two-year Warranty
Calibration and Repair Services
Contact Customer Support
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

**EXTECH RH101 Hygro Thermometer Plus InfraRed Thermometer User Manual

**

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the Extech Hygro-Thermometer plus InfraRed Thermometer.
This device measures relative humidity, air temperature (with probe), and surface temperature (with the InfraRed function). The large, easy-to-read backlit LCD includes primary and secondary displays plus numerous status indicators. The InfraRed feature includes a laser pointer for convenient targeting. Careful use of this meter will provide years of reliable service.

Safety

Use extreme caution when the laser pointer beam is on
Do not point the beam toward anyone’s eye or allow the beam to strike the eye from a reflective surface
Do not use the laser near explosive gases or in other potentially explosive areas

Meter Description

Humidity/Air Temperature Probe
Probe input jack
Laser pointer
IR Sensor
Rubber holster
LCD Display
IR thermometer measurement button
IR and Relative Humidity function buttons (4)
Air Temperature function buttons (3)
Probe holder
Power ON/OFF button
Backlight button

Note: The battery compartment, tilt stand, tripod mount, and probe holder removal screw are located on the rear of the instrument

Display Layout

MAX (top of LCD): Max Hold function engaged for the Air Temperature function
HOLD (top of LCD): Data Hold function engaged for the Air Temperature function
PROBE TEMP: Reminder that the top LCD digits represent Air (Probe) Temperature
Indicates that the laser pointer is on.
IR TEMP: Indicates that the larger LCD digits represent IR temperature measurement
MAX (bottom of LCD): Max Hold for the IR Temperature and RH function
HOLD (bottom of LCD): Data Hold for the IR Temperature function and RH function
oC / oF: Temperature units of measure
%RH: Relative Humidity unit of measure
Large LCD digits at center of display for Relative Humidity and IR Temperature
Smaller LCD digits at top, right of display for Probe Temperature
Low battery indicator

Operation

Power

Press the button to turn power on or off.

Probe Humidity and Temperature Measurements

Attach the probe to the meter via the jack at the top of the meter.
Hold the probe in the area to be tested & allow adequate time for readings to stabilize.
Read the Relative Humidity (center of LCD) and Probe Temperature (top of LCD).

NOTE: Do not immerse the probe in liquid; it is intended for use in air only.

InfraRed (Non-Contact) Temperature Measurements

The IR sensor is located at the top of the meter.
Point the sensor toward the surface to be measured.
Press and hold the large red IR button to begin measuring the surface temperature of a desired target. IR TEMP and will appear on the display. The laser pointer will switch on to help aim the meter.
The measured IR surface temperature will appear at the center of the LCD (larger digits). The temperature displayed is the temperature of the area within the spot.
When the red IR button is released, the laser pointer will switch off and the reading will freeze (data hold) on the display for approx 10 seconds.
Note that the probe (Air Temperature wand) continues to monitor temperature during IR tests and its temperature is displayed on the top of the LCD (smaller digits).
After approx. 10 secs. the meter defaults to the Humidity and Air Temperature display

Automatic Power OFF
To conserve battery life the meter automatically shuts off after 10 minutes.

oF/oC buttons
The Air Temperature and the IR Temperature units can be selected by the user. For Air Temperature, press the oF/oC button on the bottom left. For the IR temperature units, press the oF/oC button at the center of the meter.

Data Hold Buttons
Displays can be held (frozen) at any time by pressing the HOLD button. For Air Temperature, use the HOLD button on the bottom right. For IR Temperature and for Relative Humidity, use the HOLD button on the right center of the meter. Press HOLD again to exit the mode. Note that in IR temperature mode Data Hold is automatically engaged when the red IR button is released.

MAX Buttons
Press the MAX button (bottom of meter for Air Temperature; center of meter for IR temperature and Relative Humidity) to display only the highest reading. The displayed measurement will now only change when a higher reading is detected. Press the MAX button again to exit this mode.

Back light Press the back light button to turn the light on. Press again to turn it off.

InfraRed Measurement Considerations

When taking IR measurements the meter automatically compensates for ambient temperature changes. Note that it may take up to 30 minutes to adjust to extremely wide ambient changes.
Low temperature measurements quickly followed by high temperature measurements may require several minutes to stabilize as a result of the IR sensor cooling process.
If the surface of the object under test is covered with frost, oil, grime, etc., clean before taking measurements.
If an object’s surface is highly reflective apply masking tape or flat black paint before measuring.
Steam, dust, smoke, etc. can obstruct measurements.
To find a hot spot, aim the meter outside the area of interest then scan across (in an up and down motion) until the hot spot is located.

IR Theory
IR thermometers measure the surface temperature of an object. The meter’s optics sense emitted, reflected, & transmitted energy that is collected and focused onto the meter’s detector. The meter’s circuitry translates this information into an LCD reading.

IR Field of View
Ensure that the desired target is larger than the spot size as shown in the diagram below. As the distance from an object increases, the spot size of the area measured by the meter becomes larger. The meter’s field of view ratio is 8:1, meaning that if the meter is 8 inches from the target, the diameter (spot) of the object under test must be at least 1 inch. Other distances are shown below in the field of view diagram.

Emissivity
Most organic materials and painted or oxidized surfaces have an emissivity of 0.95 (fixed setting in the model RH101). Inaccurate readings will result when measuring shiny or polished surfaces. To compensate, cover the surface under test with masking tape or flat black paint. Allow time for the tape to reach the same temperature as the material underneath then measure the temperature of the tape or the painted surface.

Maintenance

Cleaning and storage

The meter should be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild detergent when necessary. Do not use solvents or abrasives.
Store the meter in an area with moderate temperature and humidity.

Battery Replacement
The battery symbol appears on the lower right of the LCD when the 9V battery needs to be replaced.

Replace the 9V battery as follows:

Turn the meter off and disconnect the air temperature probe.
Remove the large flat-head screw on the rear of the meter to remove the probe holder.
Remove the rubber holster that surrounds the entire meter by pulling it over the top of the meter.
Remove the small Phillips head screw on the rear of the meter.
Open the battery compartment and replace the 9V battery.
Re-assemble the meter before operating.

Battery Safety Reminders

Please dispose of batteries responsibly; observe local, state, and national regulations.
Never dispose of batteries in a fire; batteries may explode or leak.
Never mix battery types; install new batteries of the same type.

WARNING: To avoid electric shock, do not operate the meter until the battery cover is in place and fastened securely.

NOTE:: If your meter does not work properly, check the fuses and batteries to make sure that they are still good and that they are properly inserted.

Calibration

A humidity calibration adjustment is located in the battery compartment.

Remove the battery door and move the battery to one side.
Place the humidity probe in a humidity chamber or humidity calibration bottle and wait 20 minutes
Turn the meter on and turn the adjustment until the humidity reading on the display agrees with the calibration source.

Specifications

Function	Range and Resolution	Accuracy
Humidity	10.0 to 95.0% RH	± 3.5% RH
Air Temperature	4 to 140oF (-20 to 60oC)	± 3.0oF (± 2.0oC)
IR Temperature	-58.0 to -4.0oF (-50.0 to -20.0oC)	± 9oF (± 5oC)
4.0 to 199.9oF (-20.0 to 93.3oC)	± 2% of rdg or ± 4oF (± 2oC)

200 to 400oF (93oC to 204oC)
400 to 932oF (204oC to 500oC)| ± 3% of rdg

Display Dual LCD with Backlight and status indicators
Sensor Type Humidity: Precision capacitance sensor
Temperature: Thermistor (probe) and InfraRed
Response Time IR Temperature: 0.5 seconds; Probe Temperature and Relative
Humidity: 3 minutes
Accuracy note Accuracy is specified for the following ambient temperature range: 64 to
82°F (18 to 28°C)
Sampling Rate 2.5 samples per second
InfraRed Emissivity 0.95 (fixed)
IR Field of View D/S = Approx. 8:1 ratio (D = distance, S = spot)
Laser power Less than 1mW
IR Spectral Response 6 to 14 m (wavelength)
Operating Conditions 32 to 122oF (0 to 50oC); < 80% RH non-condensing
Storage Conditions 14 to 140oF (-10 to 60oC); <80% RH non-condensing
Power Supply 9V Battery with auto power off (after 10 minutes)
Battery Life Approx. 24 hours (if Backlight and Laser are used continuously
the battery life is reduced to 2 to 3 hours approx.)
Dimensions / Weight 5.9 x 2.8 x 1.4” (150 x 72 x 35mm); 8.3 oz. (235g)
Patent Notice U.S. Patent 7168316

Thermal Emissivity Table for Common Materials

Material	Emissivity
Asphalt	0.90 to 0.98
Concrete	0.94
Cement	0.96
Sand	0.90
Earth	0.92 to 0.96
Water	0.67
Ice	0.96 to 0.98
Snow	0.83
Glass	0.85 to 1.00
Ceramic	0.90 to 0.94
Marble	0.94
Plaster	0.80 to 0.90
Mortar	0.89 to 0.91
Brick	0.93 to 0.96
Cloth (black)	0.98
Human skin	0.98
Lather	0.75 to 0.80
Charcoal (powder)	0.96
Lacquer	0.80 to 0.95
Lacquer (matt)	0.97
Rubber (black)	0.94
Plastic	0.85 to 0.95
Timber	0.90
Paper	0.70 to 0.94
Chromium oxides	0.81
Copper Oxides	0.78
Iron Oxides	0.78 to 0.82
Textiles	0.90

Two-year Warranty

Teledyne FLIR LLC warrants this Extech brand instrument to be free of defects in parts and workmanship for two years from date of shipment (a six-month limited warranty applies to sensors and cables). To view the full warranty text please visit: http://www.extech.com/support/warranties.

Calibration and Repair Services

Teledyne FLIR LLC offers calibration and repair services for the Extech brand products we sell. We offer NIST traceable calibration for most of our products. Contact us for information on calibration and repair availability, refer to the contact information below. Annual calibrations should be performed to verify meter performance and accuracy. Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Please visit our website for the most up-to- date product information:
www.extech.com.