Big Numbers in the News

[Bill (Smithville NJ)]

(06-05-2014 08:16 PM)lrdheat Wrote:  This doesn't even deal with whether or not the thermometer is properly calibrated...

Very true. Part of my work is to design automatic temperature control (ATC) systems for building heating and air conditioning systems (HVAC). The HVAC systems can be very complicated, especially with the new energy conservation systems. Thus, the ATC systems are usually networked into a computerized Building Automation System (BAS).

Quite often I'll get a call to visit the site with the BAS manufacturer's technical person to try to determine why the system is not functioning as designed. The Tech Person will plug in a portable computer and proceed to show me that everything is working perfectly. It must be operating correctly - the computer says it is. I then proceed to take manual readings and start comparing them to his system. Usually his sensors are not calibrated correctly. But he will argue with me even when I show him they are not calibrated. I've had them even refuse to do any manual readings - they only know what their computer is saying. It's very frustrating.

Bill