The AMETEK RTCt-168 is a high-precision reference temperature calibrator designed for demanding temperature calibration applications in laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, food processing and industrial quality assurance.
Combining a dry block calibrator and a liquid bath in one instrument, the AMETEK RTCt-168 offers exceptional flexibility for calibrating a wide variety of temperature sensors.
With a temperature range from −30 °C to +165 °C, excellent temperature stability of ±0.01 °C and advanced temperature control technology, the instrument provides reliable conditions for precision temperature calibration.
The AMETEK RTCt-168 is particularly suitable for calibrating sanitary temperature sensors with short insertion lengths, large process connections and complex geometries.
Its innovative liquid calibration system allows sanitary sensors with flange diameters up to 84 mm to be calibrated under conditions that closely resemble their actual installation.
A modern touchscreen interface, wireless connectivity, intelligent reference sensor integration and automated calibration functions make the AMETEK RTCt-168 an excellent solution for professional temperature metrology.
The instrument also features Dynamic Load Compensation technology, helping maintain uniform temperature conditions when multiple sensors are calibrated simultaneously.
europascal offers professional temperature calibration equipment, technical advice and calibration services for industrial and laboratory applications.
Discover the europascal Calibration Service.
Your Benefits at a Glance
The AMETEK RTCt-168 combines precision, flexibility and convenient operation.
Its main advantages include:
- Temperature range from −30 °C to +165 °C
- Combined dry block and liquid bath calibration
- Excellent temperature stability of ±0.01 °C
- Advanced touchscreen interface
- Real-time graphical temperature monitoring
- Wireless connectivity for remote operation
- Ethernet and USB communication
- Dynamic Load Compensation technology
- Active dual-zone temperature control
- Calibration of sanitary sensors with large flanges
- Support for flange diameters up to 84 mm
- Removable liquid calibration container
- Special inserts for short temperature sensors
- Intelligent external reference thermometer support
- Two sensor-under-test inputs on suitable configurations
- Automatic temperature stepping
- Integrated temperature switch testing on Model B
- High temperature uniformity
- Suitable for pharmaceutical and food production
- Professional calibration support from europascal
Temperature Range from −30 °C to +165 °C
The AMETEK RTCt-168 provides a temperature calibration range from:
−30 °C to +165 °C
This range covers numerous industrial and laboratory applications.
Typical calibration temperatures include:
- −30 °C
- −20 °C
- 0 °C
- +20 °C
- +50 °C
- +100 °C
- +121 °C
- +140 °C
- +165 °C
The instrument is particularly suitable for temperature sensors used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, food processing and industrial temperature monitoring.
At an ambient temperature of 23 °C, the full specified temperature range is available.
At an ambient temperature of 40 °C, the minimum achievable temperature is −17 °C.
This distinction should be considered when selecting the calibrator for applications requiring temperatures below ambient conditions.
Combined Dry Block and Liquid Bath Calibration
One of the most important advantages of the AMETEK RTCt-168 is its ability to operate as both a dry block calibrator and a liquid bath.
Dry Block Calibration
In dry block mode, the instrument uses interchangeable metal inserts to accommodate temperature sensors.
This method is particularly suitable for conventional RTDs, Pt100 sensors, thermocouples and industrial temperature probes.
Dry block calibration provides several advantages:
- No calibration liquid required
- Clean and convenient operation
- Easy transportation
- Fast preparation
- Reduced maintenance
- Excellent repeatability of sensor positioning
Liquid Bath Calibration
In liquid bath mode, the instrument uses a temperature-controlled calibration liquid.
The liquid provides thermal contact with the immersed temperature sensor.
This method is particularly useful for sensors with unusual geometries, short insertion lengths or large process connections.
The liquid bath configuration provides greater flexibility when calibrating sensors that cannot be accommodated in conventional dry block inserts.
Innovative Removable Liquid Container
The AMETEK RTCt-168 features a removable liquid calibration container.
This allows the instrument to be converted between liquid bath and dry block operation.
The liquid remains inside the removable container.
After completing a liquid calibration, the container can be removed and replaced with a suitable dry block insert.
This eliminates the need to drain and clean the main calibration well after every liquid calibration.
The removable container improves handling, reduces preparation time and simplifies maintenance.
It is particularly useful for laboratories performing both conventional temperature sensor calibration and sanitary sensor calibration.
Ideal for Sanitary Temperature Sensors
The AMETEK RTCt-168 is specifically designed to address the challenges of calibrating sanitary temperature sensors.
Sanitary sensors are widely used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology and food processing.
These sensors often have short sensing elements and large process connections.
Conventional dry block calibrators may not provide sufficient immersion depth for such sensors.
The AMETEK RTCt-168 uses a specially designed calibration well and dedicated accessories to improve thermal contact.
This allows short sensors to reach the uniform temperature zone more effectively.
The instrument supports sanitary sensors with flange diameters up to:
84 mm
This makes it particularly suitable for sensors with hygienic process connections.
Excellent Temperature Stability
The AMETEK RTCt-168 provides excellent temperature stability.
The manufacturer specifies:
±0.01 °C
This specification applies under defined operating conditions.
Temperature stability describes the variation of the calibration temperature over time.
Stable temperature conditions are essential for accurate comparison calibrations.
The excellent stability of the AMETEK RTCt-168 helps minimize measurement variations when calibrating precision temperature sensors.
For demanding applications, the complete measurement uncertainty must also consider temperature uniformity, reference thermometer uncertainty and sensor immersion effects.
Advanced Temperature Uniformity
The AMETEK RTCt-168 is designed to provide excellent temperature uniformity.
Its calibration system uses advanced temperature control and carefully designed calibration inserts.
In liquid bath mode, an improved magnetic stirring system helps distribute the temperature uniformly throughout the calibration liquid.
The redesigned liquid calibration system provides an extended vertical temperature uniformity zone.
This is particularly important when calibrating short sanitary sensors.
The improved temperature distribution allows the sensing element to reach a more uniform temperature region.
This helps reduce measurement errors caused by insufficient immersion.
Dynamic Load Compensation
The AMETEK RTCt-168 supports Dynamic Load Compensation, also known as DLC.
This technology helps compensate for temperature differences caused by the insertion of sensors into the calibration block.
When multiple temperature sensors are inserted, they can influence the temperature distribution.
These effects depend on sensor diameter, material, immersion depth and thermal mass.
Dynamic Load Compensation helps maintain uniform calibration conditions.
This is particularly useful when calibrating several sensors simultaneously.
The appropriate DLC sensor and compatible instrument configuration are required.
Active Dual-Zone Temperature Control
The AMETEK RTCt-168 features active dual-zone temperature control.
The system uses independently controlled temperature zones.
The lower zone provides precise temperature control within the calibration area.
The upper zone compensates for heat losses near the opening of the calibration well.
This helps reduce axial temperature gradients.
The technology is particularly useful for calibrating short sensors and sensors with large connection heads.
Active dual-zone control contributes to stable and uniform temperature conditions.
Advanced Touchscreen Interface
The AMETEK RTCt-168 features a modern touchscreen interface.
The touchscreen provides convenient access to the instrument’s calibration functions.
Users can configure temperature setpoints, monitor temperature stability and select calibration procedures directly on the display.
The graphical interface provides a clear overview of the calibration process.
Available functions include:
- Temperature setpoint adjustment
- Calibration mode selection
- Automatic temperature stepping
- Temperature stability monitoring
- Real-time graphical display
- Sensor measurement configuration
- Temperature switch testing on compatible models
The intuitive interface helps reduce setup time and simplifies operation.
Real-Time Graphical Temperature Monitoring
The AMETEK RTCt-168 provides advanced graphical temperature monitoring.
The display automatically adjusts its graphical representation according to the calibration process.
During heating or cooling, the graph provides an overview of the temperature approaching the selected setpoint.
Once the stability criteria are met, the graphical display can emphasize smaller temperature variations.
This allows technicians to evaluate temperature stability more easily.
The graphical display is particularly useful for precision calibration applications.
Wireless Connectivity and Remote Operation
The AMETEK RTCt-168 supports wireless connectivity.
This allows the instrument to be monitored and controlled remotely through a compatible web browser interface.
Remote operation is particularly useful in laboratories, cleanrooms and industrial environments.
Technicians can monitor temperature changes without remaining directly beside the calibrator.
The instrument also supports Ethernet and USB communication.
These interfaces allow integration into suitable calibration systems.
Remote access and automated operation can improve efficiency during repetitive calibration procedures.
Two Sensor-Under-Test Inputs
Suitable configurations of the AMETEK RTCt-168 provide two sensor-under-test inputs.
This allows two compatible temperature sensors to be measured simultaneously.
The feature is particularly useful for calibration laboratories that need to calibrate several sensors efficiently.
Simultaneous measurement can reduce calibration time and improve productivity.
The availability of the measurement inputs depends on the selected instrument configuration.
Intelligent External Reference Sensors
The AMETEK RTCt-168 supports compatible external reference thermometers.
External reference sensors allow accurate comparison measurements.
The reference thermometer measures the temperature within the calibration environment.
The device under test is then compared with the reference temperature.
The manufacturer offers reference sensors designed for dry block and liquid bath applications.
The STS-102A-035 reference sensor is particularly suitable for applications involving short sanitary sensors.
Its design supports accurate temperature measurement in demanding calibration configurations.
Calibration of Pt100 and RTD Sensors
The AMETEK RTCt-168 is suitable for calibrating resistance temperature detectors.
Typical applications include:
- Pt100 calibration
- Pt1000 calibration
- Industrial RTD calibration
- Precision resistance thermometer calibration
- Sanitary temperature probe calibration
The sensor is inserted into a suitable calibration insert or liquid bath.
The instrument generates a controlled temperature.
The temperature indicated by the device under test is compared with the reference temperature.
For high-accuracy applications, a suitable external reference thermometer should be used.
Calibration of Thermocouples
The AMETEK RTCt-168 can also be used for thermocouple calibration.
Thermocouples are widely used in industrial temperature measurement.
The calibrator provides stable temperature conditions for checking thermocouple measurement systems.
The thermocouple is inserted into the calibration block or liquid bath.
After sufficient stabilization, the indicated temperature can be compared with the reference temperature.
For accurate thermocouple calibration, reference junction compensation and the measurement uncertainty of the readout must be considered.
Temperature Transmitter Calibration
The AMETEK RTCt-168 can be used for calibrating temperature transmitters.
Temperature transmitters convert temperature sensor signals into standardized electrical output signals.
A common industrial output range is:
4–20 mA
Depending on the selected instrument configuration, compatible transmitter output signals can be measured using integrated process measurement functions.
The calibrator generates the required temperature.
The transmitter output is compared with the expected signal at the selected temperature.
This allows the complete temperature measurement chain to be evaluated.
Temperature Switch Testing
The AMETEK RTCt-168 supports temperature switch testing in the appropriate configuration.
Temperature switches activate or deactivate electrical contacts at defined temperatures.
The calibrator can generate controlled temperature changes while monitoring the switching signal.
This allows switching points and hysteresis to be determined.
The Model B configuration provides the required integrated switch testing functionality.
Automatic Temperature Stepping
The AMETEK RTCt-168 supports automatic temperature stepping.
Up to 20 temperature steps can be programmed.
Users can define temperature setpoints and holding times.
This allows the instrument to perform predefined temperature sequences automatically.
Automatic stepping is particularly useful for repetitive calibration procedures.
It reduces manual intervention and helps improve calibration efficiency.
Technical Highlights
| Specification | AMETEK RTCt-168 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | AMETEK |
| Model | RTCt-168 |
| Product type | Reference Temperature Calibrator |
| Calibration methods | Dry Block and Liquid Bath |
| Temperature range | −30 °C to +165 °C |
| Temperature range at 40 °C ambient | −17 °C to +165 °C |
| Temperature stability | ±0.01 °C |
| Temperature resolution | 1 / 0.1 / 0.01 / 0.001 °C |
| Temperature control | Active dual-zone |
| Dynamic Load Compensation | Supported |
| Sanitary sensor flange diameter | Up to 84 mm |
| Dry block immersion depth | 180 mm including insulation plug |
| Liquid bath immersion depth | 150 mm |
| Radial uniformity at −30 °C | 0.02 °C |
| Dry block stabilization time | Approx. 30 minutes |
| Liquid bath stabilization time | Approx. 15 minutes |
| Reference sensor input | Models B and C |
| Sensor-under-test inputs | Model B |
| Temperature switch testing | Model B |
| Communication | USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
| User interface | Color touchscreen |
| Automatic temperature steps | Up to 20 |
| Calibration software | JofraCal |
| Removable liquid container | Yes |
| Operating principle | Combined Dry Block and Liquid Bath |
AMETEK RTCt-168 Models and Configurations
The AMETEK RTCt-168 is available in different configurations.
AMETEK RTCt-168A
The basic configuration provides temperature generation and control.
It is suitable for applications where external reference thermometers and measurement instruments are already available.
AMETEK RTCt-168B
The Model B configuration provides additional measurement functionality.
It includes inputs for:
- Dynamic Load Compensation sensor
- External reference thermometer
- Sensors under test
The configuration also supports integrated temperature switch testing.
AMETEK RTCt-168C
The Model C configuration includes inputs for the Dynamic Load Compensation sensor and external reference thermometer.
It is suitable for precision comparison calibration using an external temperature reference.
Unlike Model B, it does not provide the same integrated sensor-under-test measurement functionality.
Calibration Service by europascal
Regular calibration is essential for maintaining reliable and traceable temperature measurements.
europascal provides professional calibration services for temperature measuring instruments and calibration equipment.
When the AMETEK RTCt-168 is used for temperature sensor calibration, the measurement uncertainty must be evaluated according to the complete calibration procedure.
Relevant uncertainty contributions may include:
- Reference thermometer calibration uncertainty
- Temperature stability
- Axial temperature uniformity
- Radial temperature uniformity
- Loading effects
- Sensor immersion depth
- Thermal contact
- Calibration insert geometry
- Liquid bath temperature distribution
- Reference thermometer readout uncertainty
- Sensor-under-test measurement uncertainty
- Measurement repeatability
The individual uncertainty contributions must be evaluated according to the selected calibration method.
For professional calibration services and metrological traceability, visit the europascal Calibration Service.
Why Choose the AMETEK RTCt-168?
The AMETEK RTCt-168 combines the advantages of a precision dry block calibrator and a liquid bath in one instrument.
Its temperature range from −30 °C to +165 °C covers numerous industrial and laboratory applications.
The removable liquid container allows convenient switching between dry block and liquid bath calibration.
Special calibration accessories make the instrument particularly suitable for sanitary temperature sensors with short insertion lengths and large process connections.
Excellent temperature stability of ±0.01 °C provides reliable conditions for demanding temperature calibration applications.
Active dual-zone temperature control and Dynamic Load Compensation help maintain uniform temperature conditions.
The touchscreen interface simplifies operation and provides clear graphical information about the calibration process.
Wireless connectivity allows remote monitoring and control.
Depending on the selected configuration, integrated reference thermometer measurement and sensor-under-test measurement provide additional flexibility.
For calibration laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies and food processing facilities, the AMETEK RTCt-168 offers an excellent combination of precision, flexibility and efficiency.
europascal supports customers with professional temperature calibration equipment, technical advice and calibration services.
Typical Applications for the AMETEK RTCt-168
The AMETEK RTCt-168 is suitable for numerous professional temperature calibration applications.
Typical applications include:
- Sanitary temperature sensor calibration
- Pt100 calibration
- Pt1000 calibration
- RTD calibration
- Thermocouple calibration
- Temperature transmitter calibration
- Temperature switch testing
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Biotechnology
- Food and beverage production
- Hygienic process instrumentation
- Cleanroom applications
- Industrial temperature monitoring
- Calibration laboratories
- Temperature metrology
- Quality assurance
- Preventive maintenance
- Field calibration
The combination of dry block and liquid bath operation, excellent temperature stability, advanced temperature control and modern connectivity makes the AMETEK RTCt-168 a versatile solution for demanding temperature calibration applications.
Find more AMETEK temperature calibration products at europascal.
Manufacturer information for the AMETEK RTCt-168 can be found on the official AMETEK website.
