How to Calibrate Your Digital Hygrometer for Accurate Readings

Weather Station
2 min readApr 20, 2023

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A digital hygrometer is a device used to measure the relative humidity in the air. It is commonly used in indoor spaces such as homes, offices, and laboratories to monitor the moisture levels in the air. However, like any measuring device, digital hygrometers can lose accuracy over time, which is why it’s essential to calibrate them periodically. In this article, we will discuss how to calibrate your digital hygrometer for accurate readings.

What is Calibration?

Calibration is the process of adjusting the measurement accuracy of a measuring device to a known standard. In the case of a digital hygrometer, calibration involves adjusting the device to accurately measure the relative humidity in the air.

Materials Needed for Calibration

To calibrate your digital hygrometer, you will need the following materials:

A digital hygrometer
A salt test kit
A ziplock bag
Distilled water
Steps for Calibration

  1. Prepare the Salt Test Kit

The first step is to prepare the salt test kit. The salt test kit is used to create a known humidity level inside a sealed container. This will allow you to calibrate your digital hygrometer accurately.

To prepare the salt test kit, you will need to mix a small amount of salt with distilled water in a small container. The salt should not be completely dissolved, but rather form a thick paste.

2. Place the Hygrometer and Salt Test Kit in a Sealed Bag
Once you have prepared the salt test kit, place the digital hygrometer and the salt test kit inside a ziplock bag. Seal the bag tightly, making sure that no air can escape.

3. Wait for 24 Hours
Leave the bag undisturbed for 24 hours to allow the humidity inside the bag to stabilize. The humidity inside the bag should stabilize at around 75%, which is the known humidity level created by the salt test kit.

4. Check the Hygrometer Reading
After 24 hours, remove the digital hygrometer from the bag and check the humidity reading. If the reading is not 75%, you will need to adjust the calibration of the digital hygrometer.

5. Adjust the Calibration
Most digital hygrometers have a calibration adjustment screw on the back of the device. Use a small screwdriver to adjust the screw until the hygrometer reading matches the known humidity level of 75%.

6. Recheck the Hygrometer Reading
After adjusting the calibration, place the digital hygrometer back inside the bag with the salt test kit and wait for another 24 hours. Check the hygrometer reading again to ensure that it is now accurate.

Conclusion

Calibrating your digital hygrometer is essential to ensure that you get accurate readings of the relative humidity in your indoor space. By following these simple steps, you can calibrate your digital hygrometer with ease and ensure that it provides accurate measurements for years to come.

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Weather Station
Weather Station

Written by Weather Station

To help weather enthusiasts choose not only the best, but the most suitable weather instruments for their particular needs.