High-temperature tests (e.g., engine exhaust, furnace flows) don’t just heat samples—they bake your equipment, warping probes, degrading sensors, and throwing off calibration. To trust your data, you need a calibration strategy that accounts for heat, not just ignores it.

Calibration before the test:

· Use a high-temp calibrator (e.g., Metronix 3000) to test equipment at your target temperature (e.g., 500°C), not just room temp. Sensors behave differently when hot.

· For probes, check for “thermal drift”: Calibrate at 25°C, then at 300°C—if readings shift by >1%, note the offset and correct for it in software.

In-test performance checks:

· Embed a “reference sensor” (e.g., a platinum resistance thermometer) in the test area. If its readings drift, pause to recalibrate or replace your main sensors.

· Use cooling jackets on probes (where possible) to keep their electronics at <80°C—prevents signal degradation.

Post-test validation:

· Recalibrate critical tools (e.g., thermocouples, pressure probes) after exposure to >300°C. Heat can permanently alter their response.

· Compare pre- and post-test calibration data. A shift >2% means the equipment needs repair or replacement.

Material matters for calibration tools:

· Use ceramic or Inconel reference standards—stainless steel warps at >600°C, ruining accuracy.

· Avoid adhesives; use mechanical clamps to attach sensors—glues melt at high temps and skew readings.

Testing above 1000°C? Share your setup, and we’ll suggest specialized calibration gear (e.g., pyrometers for non-contact checks).