GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies announces the OptiSonde humidity indicator, transmitter and data logger. The OptiSonde utilizes technology of choice for monitoring humidity and temperature in pharmaceutical process, environmental test chambers, automotive and aerospace engine emissions and testing, heat exchanger and air conditioning performance testing applications.

The OptiSonde directly measures dew point temperature by using an infrared light emitter and detector to regulate heat being removed from a precious metal mirror, regulating a condensed dew or frost layer to a constant mass. The temperature of the mirror is measured by a precision resistance temperature detector. When the mass of the condensed water is at equilibrium, the temperature of the mirror is, by definition, equal to the dew point temperature. By simultaneously measuring the ambient temperature humidity parameters, relative humidity, absolute humidity, volume and mass ratios are calculated by the OptiSonde with high precision.

The analyzer is available in bench-top and wall mounted configurations. For room monitoring, the chilled mirror and temperature sensor is plugged directly onto the chassis, or the sensors can be installed up to 300 ft (100 m) away and connected via cable. The OptiSonde indicates two user selected parameters simultaneously as well as system status and diagnostics. In addition to the LCD readout, data is transmitted via two fully scaleable analog signals (4-20mA) and digitally via an RS-232 port. According to the company’s press release, the unit is equipped with a data logger that enables long-term data to be saved. The OptiSonde is supplied with PanaView software to enable data uploading to a PC for graphing and data reduction. The data may also be exported as an ASCII text file format for use in spreadsheets. The OptiSonde incorporates GE Sensing’s patented PACER cycle which is an automatic means of self-cleaning and balancing the sensor optics.