Dial versus digital field thermometers

[mikeofBelAir]

We have a concrete job where some sort of controversy has arisen over the use of the standard ( for us, anyway) dial-type thermometer. I have no details, but the tech was told he MUST use only a digital type as it was more accurate. I disputed this with him, saying that the digital type may be more precise, but both types are verified to comply with the Standard. He said to google it, and I would see the controversy. I googled and got the current temperature in Concrete, Washington--lol, and some ( many) ads for concrete thermometers, but no "controversy".

What have you all heard? Is something brewing?

The only issue I can imagine is that the dial-type can easily be reset to read whatever one wants it so say, but a quick check on "temperature near me" on your cell phone produces a local air temp that should show is the thermometer has been altered from when it was last verified.

Is this just a local job issue, or is there a major issue that is being raised?

 

[Ron]

Analog, digital, mercury or alcohol......doesn't matter as long as they are calibrated or correlated to a recognized standard. For field measurement of concrete temperature even resolution is not that big of a deal, just comply with ASTM or similar applicable standards.

Sounds like you have a tech who is striving for precision, which is good, but might be a bit misled.

 

[mikeofBelAir]

Thanks for the reply...the issue doesn't seem to be from my tech, but someone, above him, in the on-site chain-of-command. Wish I had a dollar for every time I had to explain precision versus accuracy......same for hydrometers--just because we can calculate to 5 decimal places doesn't mean we should. The very next shovel-full of earth will be slightly different( just my rant, sorry)

 

[Ron]

Mike...agree. Measure with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon and cut it with an ax....it's still just a 2x4.....or 1-1/2x3-1/2