Traceable calibration of pressure based water level data loggers

L Grgec Bermanec,I Matas,D Zvizdic

doi:10.21014/acta_imeko.v9i5.998

Abstract

This paper investigates accuracy, influence of temperature variations and time drift of water level data loggers, operating on a principle of hydrostatic pressure measurement. The laboratory setup for calibration of such devices, equipped with self-designed pressure chamber and commercial climatic chamber is presented. Calibration procedure for logger’s built-in pressure transducer, with ensured traceability to the primary standards of pressure and temperature, is proposed. Influence of temperature on the pressure reading was examined by conducting calibration at 10 °C, 15 °C and 25 °C.

Highlights

Demand for monitoring of groundwater and surface water levels is growing in oceanology, hydrology, water resource management and many other fields
This paper provides the calibration setup for pressure transducer, incorporated into the water level logger that cannot be directly connected to pressure system and examines the dependency of the pressure reading on the temperature of the surrounding medium
After analysis of raw data and determination of measurement uncertainty, the results showed that logger did exhibit certain change in pressure reading due to change of temperature

Summary

Introduction

Demand for monitoring of groundwater and surface water levels is growing in oceanology, hydrology, water resource management and many other fields. Water level data loggers are mostly used for investigation of water resources such as lakes, tidal areas or wells. Scarcity of drinking water emphasizes the need for accurate groundwater level reading. In order to provide accurate water level reading, hydrostatic pressure has to be measured correctly and ambient temperature has to be monitored. Built-in absolute pressure sensors should be calibrated against traceable pressure standards. This paper provides the calibration setup for pressure transducer, incorporated into the water level logger that cannot be directly connected to pressure system and examines the dependency of the pressure reading on the temperature of the surrounding medium

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion