Experimental study on the globe thermometer behaviour in conditions of asymmetry of the radiant temperature

Heating and cooling systems based on the use of hot or cold floors or ceilings meet increasing favour. In such systems, moreover, radiant temperature gains a far greater importance than in traditional systems; and therefore the importance of measurement and control techniques grow; but at the same time, in presence of these systems, unavoidably the radiant field tends to become asymmetrical. In this work a theoretical study and an experimental check on the most common radiant temperature measurement tool, the globe thermometer, when used in conditions of asymmetrical radiant temperature, are described. The results point out the necessity of a more complete definition of the features of the globe thermometers designed to operate in non-symmetric radiative fields, especially with reference to covering material and thickness, to temperature sensor position and to radiative properties of the inner surface.