Hukseflux - Model TPSYS20 -High-accuracy Thermal Conductivity Measuring System

TPSYS20 is an accurate and user friendly system for measuring thermal conductivity. Its main components are the TP02 thermal needle probe (or its smaller equivalent, model TP08), the MCU Measurement and Control Unit and software. TP02 and TP08 are designed for measuring thermal conductivities in the range from 0.1 to 6.0 W/(m·K).

The measurement principle is the transient line source technique, in which the thermal conductivity of a specimen is determined from the step response of the specimen temperature to heat from a linear heater. For details on TP02 or TP08, see the separate brochures. The MCU takes care of the measurement and control process and provides a convenient graphical user interface in the form of a web page.

TPSYS20 is particularly suitable for thermal conductivity measurements in a laboratory environment. If needed, TPSYS20 can be powered from a 12 V battery, so that it may be used in the field. TPSYS20 is operated in conjunction with a PC. An intuitive and easy-to-use graphical user interface allows the user to set measurement parameters, control measurements, view measurement progress and view and download measurement data.

TPSYS20 is either delivered with a TP02 or a TP08 probe. TP02 is equipped with a reference temperature junction, located in the tip of the needle. This allows the temperature difference between the heated section of the needle and the reference junction to be measured. The use of a reference junction makes the thermal conductivity measurement much less sensitive to specimen temperature drift. For more details see the TP02 brochure.

TP08 is a shorter needle, which makes it an excellent alternative when only small amounts of sample material are available. TP08 does not have a reference temperature junction. For more details see the TP08 brochure.

The measurement with TPSYS20 complies with the IEEE Guide for Soil Thermal Resistivity Measurements (IEEE 442-2017) as well as with ASTM D5334 - 14 Standard Test Method for Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Soil and Soft Rock. TPSYS20 is suitable for use by ISO certified laboratories.

TPSYS20 is primarily intended for laboratory use. For outdoor soil measurements Hukseflux recommends consulting the brochures of the more robust albeit less accurate FTN, MTN and TNS systems designed for outdoor use.

TPSYS20 is a complete measuring system. Several accessories are offered, including CRC series Calibration reference cylinders, a keyboard display and spare sets of needles and guiding tubes. For high-accuracy calibration, dedicated CRC01 Calibration Reference Cylinders are available. For insertion into hard material types or for casting into plastics, cement and backfill materials, GT Series Guiding tubes can be applied.

• CRC01 – calibration reference cylinder for TP02 and TP08
• GT01 – a spare set of 5 guiding tubes for TP08
• GT02 – a spare set of 5 guiding tubes for TP02
• CR1000KD – Campbell Scientific CR1000 keyboard display for controlling TPSYS20 MCU without a PC
• TP02 – a spare thermal needle probe
• TP08 – a spare thermal needle probe

• Measurand : thermal conductivitythermal resistivity
• Measurement range : 0.1 to 6 W/(m·K)
• TPSYS20 specifications:
• Measurement uncertainty (depends on material type) : ± (3 % + 0.02 W/(m·K)) (k = 2)
• Measurement duration (typical) : 3 to 10 minutes
• Test methods : ASTM D5334 - 14; IEEE 442-2017; ASTM D5930 - 17
• Probe supplied : TP02 or TP08
• Heating cycle duration : 200 s (typical)
• Operating modes : • heating measurement only • heating and cooldown measurement
• TP02 / TP08 specifications :
• Rated operating temperature range : -55 to + 180 °C
• IP protection class : IP68 (needle and base)
• Needle length TP02 : 150 mm
• Needle length TP08 : 70 mm
• MCU specifications:
• Connection : to local area network (LAN) via Ethernet or directly to PC via USB
• Graphical user interface : web page (via MCU)
• Supported web browsers : Chrome 10; Firefox 4; Internet Explorer 9; Opera 11; Safari 5; or later
• Rated operating voltage MCU : 10 to 16 VDC
• Rated operating temperature range MCU : -25 to +50 °C
• IP protection class : IP54
• Sampling rate : 2 Hz
• Power Supply Unit specifications:
• Input : 100 to 240 VAC 50/60 Hz
• Input plug : Type A/B (USA); Type C/F (EU); Type G (UK); Type I (AU)
• Output : 12 VDC 2.5 A
• IP protection class : IP40