Glossary of Terms

Here you will find a glossary of specialised terms commonly used in thermostating and metrology.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W

W

Washburn method

The contact angle is calculated from the weight increase over time of powders in contact with liquids.

Wilhelmy plate

Standardized plate usually made of a platinum alloy. It is used to measure surface tension with a ring/plate tensiometer. The material of the plate is selected so that its contact angle to the test liquid is equal to zero. Optimal cleaning, e.g. by a Bunsen burner, is essential.

Wilhelmy plate method

Used to measure the surface tension using a standardized plate with a ring/plate tensiometer. The plate is moved towards the surface until the meniscus connects with it. The surface tension is calculated from the resulting force. Due to uncertain wetting behaviour, the plate can only be used for interfaces under certain limitations.

Working temperature range

The temperature range which can be reached at an ambient temperature of 20 °C by the thermostat alone and with the exclusive use of electrical energy and without any other help. In the case of a heating thermostat the working temperature begins approx. 3 °C above the so-called intrinsic temperature, which again can lie distinctly above room temperature, and ends at the upper limit of the operating temperature. This is different in all Ecoline heating thermostats equipped with a Vario pump. At output step 1 the energy input is less than the heat of evaporation, so the intrinsic temperature is below room temperature and thus it is already possible to work directly from ambient temperature without water cooling with an uncovered bath.

Working temperature range, extended

The temperature range that can be reached when using a factory-fitted cooling coil when working with mains water.

^Back to top