Skip to content

Dry Block vs. Liquid Bath Calibration

Dry-Block Calibrator or a Liquid Bath Temperature Calibrator? Or, Maybe There is a Third Choice!

When considering their temperature calibration options, technicians often must decide between a dry-block calibrator and a liquid temperature bath. Each solution has distinct advantages over the other, and they also come with different drawbacks. But, with the RTC-168 temperature calibrator, you don't have to decide. You can have the best of both worlds. And if that wasn't enough, our new liquid container makes switching from one to the other quick, safe, and clean.

Advantages of a Dry-Block Calibration



  • No hazardous or hot liquids
  • Easier to handle inserts rather than liquid
  • More convenient to carry a dry-block
  • No need for external exhaustion
  • 100% repeatability due to the fixed sensor position in the block
  • No oil contamination of the sensor under test

Advantages of a Liquid Bath Calibration



  • Inserts for different sensor types aren't needed
  • Calibrate sensors that wouldn’t fit in an insert
  • Calibrate glass thermometers and gas or liquid filled sensors
  • Calibrate any type of odd shape sensor

Advantages of the RTC-168 Combination Calibrator



  • Can calibrate all sensors, whether they are long, short, odd-shaped, or flange mounted
  • Two calibrators in one
  • Full flexibility to choose between liquid and dry configurations as needed
  • Quickly switch between wet and dry to fit the application


New Liquid Container



Although customers of our previous models enjoyed the flexibility of switching from dry-block to liquid bath modes, making this switch had its challenges, especially when switching from wet to dry. We listened to their feedback and created a new liquid container. Technicians can now pour their liquid into the container and place the container into the well. Once they complete their liquid test, simply remove the container from the well, and it's back to a dry-block. Or, if your lab uses multiple liquid types, keep a container for each type and switch back and forth as needed.

It's a safer, cleaner, and easier solution, adding to the flexibility of the RTC-168 Temperature Calibrator.

In short, users no longer have to choose between a dry-block temperature calibrator or a liquid bath temperature calibrator.  The RTC-168 provides the advantages of both in a single temperature calibrator. 

For more information, see our RTC-168 datasheet