Designation: D 4230 – 02e1

Standard Test Method of

Measuring Humidity with Cooled-Surface Condensation
(Dew-Point) Hygrometer1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4230; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

e1 NOTE—Editorial corrections were made throughout the test method in July 2003.

1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the ther- 3.1 Definitions:
modynamic dew- or frost-point temperature of ambient air by 3.1.1 For definitions of other terms in this method, refer to
the condensation of water vapor on a cooled surface. For Terminology D 1356.
brevity this is referred to in this method as the condensation 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
temperature. 3.2.1 nonhygroscopic material—material that neither ab-
1.2 This test method is applicable for the range of conden- sorbs nor retains water vapor.
sation temperatures from 60°C to − 70°C. 3.2.2 mirror (front surface)—a polished surface, usually a
1.3 This test method includes a general description of the metallic surface, on which condensates are deposited.
instrumentation and operational procedures, including site 3.3 Symbols:
selection, to be used for obtaining the measurements and a
description of the procedures to be used for calculating the
results. e = vapor pressure of water vapor in moist air.
ei = saturation pressure of water vapor in equilibrium
1.4 This test method is applicable for the continuous mea-
with the plane surface of ice.
surement of ambient humidity in the natural atmosphere on a
ew = saturation pressure of water vapor in equilibrium
stationary platform.
with the plane surface of water.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the P = ambient pressure.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the r = mixing ratio.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- T = ambient air temperature.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Td = thermodynamic dew- or frost-point temperature.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific RHi = relative humidity with respect to ice.
precautionary statements, see Section 8. RHw = relative humidity with respect to water.
2. Referenced Documents 4. Summary of Test Method
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 4.1 The ambient humidity is measured with a dew- and
D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of frost-point hygrometer.
Atmospheres 4.2 The mirror or some other surface on which the conden-
D 3631 Test Methods for Measuring Surface Atmospheric sate is deposited is provided with the means for cooling and
Pressure heating, detection of condensate, and the measurement of the
temperature of the mirror surface.
4.3 Calculations of saturation vapor pressure over water and
1
ice as functions of temperature are provided.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.11 on Meteorology.
Current edition approved October 10, 2002. Published December 2002. Origi-
5. Significance and Use
nally published as D 4230 – 83. Last previous edition D 4230 – 83(96)e1. 5.1 Humidity information is important for the understanding
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
of atmospheric phenomena and industrial processes. Measure-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on ments of the dew-point and calculations of related vapor
the ASTM website. pressures are important to quantify the humidity information.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 4230 – 02e1
6. Interferences 8.1.3 Appropriate voltage surge protection circuitry must be
6.1 This method is not applicable if other constituents in the incorporated.
atmosphere condense before water vapor. 8.2 Technical Precautions:
8.2.1 The accuracy of a cooled-surface condensation hy-
7. Apparatus grometer is degraded by the presence of water-soluble materi-
7.1 Dew-point hygrometers, specifically designed for me- als. A mirror-cleaning schedule, consistent with the contami-
teorological observations are available commercially. A sche- nation rate, is necessary to maintain the initial calibration
matic arrangement of a typical optical dew-point hygrometer is accuracy. The user must determine the required maintenance
shown in Fig. 1. schedule for the specific site, by comparison of calibrations
7.1.1 The sample air flows through a small chamber. made before and after cleaning.
7.1.2 Within the chamber is a mirror or surface on which the 8.2.2 Caution in performing this method should be taken if
condensate can be deposited. the indicated mirror temperature is between 0°C and − 30°C.
7.1.3 A beam of light from an incandescent lamp, light Below freezing, the initial formation of the condensate on the
emitting diode or other suitable light source shines on the surface of a mirror may be either dew or frost. In the case of
mirror. nonfiltered atmospheric air, the supercooled water usually does
7.1.4 Dew or frost is detected with an electro-optic device. not persist long on a mirror surface and quickly changes to
7.1.5 The mirror is cooled by a Peltier thermoelectric frost. The only positive method for determining the state of the
element. Peltier cooling is a convenient method for unattended condensate is by visual observation of the mirror surface.
and automatic instruments.
8.2.2.1 The following illustrates the magnitude of the error
7.1.6 Preferred devices of sensing mirror temperature are
involved when dew or frost is not differentiated: The saturation
resistance thermometers, thermistors, and thermocouples.
vapor pressure of supercooled water at − 30°C corresponds to
7.1.6.1 The temperature sensors shall be attached to or
saturation vapor pressure of ice at − 27.2°C; dew point
embedded in the mirror to measure the temperature of the
of − 20°C corresponds to frost point of − 18.0°C; − 10°C dew
surface of the mirror.
7.1.7 Suitable control circuitry shall be provided to maintain point corresponds to frost point of − 8.9°C. (The frost point
a constant quantity of condensate on the mirror. temperature is approximately 90 % of the dew-point tempera-
7.1.8 Suitable provisions shall be provided to compensate ture in degrees Celsius.)
for the contamination of the surface of the mirror. 8.2.3 A positive method for identifying the state of the
7.2 Auxiliary Equipment: condensate is to visually observe the condensate on the mirror
7.2.1 Provision shall be provided for assuring air flow past with the aid of a microscope or other optical magnifier.
the dewpoint mirror without changing the pressure in the 8.2.4 A finite length of time is required for the condensate to
mirror chamber more than 0.5 % from the ambient pressure deposit on the mirror and for the hygrometer to reach equilib-
surrounding the sensor. An air flow of approximately 1.1 litres rium with the ambient humidity. The response of the hygrom-
per minute is recommended for typical chambers. eter depends on the humidity of the ambient air, and on such
7.2.2 Readout instrumentation is available with the dew- factors as the ventilation rate of the ambient air past the mirror,
point hygrometer. the sensitivity of the condensate detector, and the maximum
cooling rate of the hygrometer. The worst case occurs during
8. Precautions the initial dew-point reading after clearing the mirror of all
8.1 Safety Precautions: condensates. The time it takes the hygrometer to reach equi-
8.1.1 The hygrometer shall be packaged in a suitable librium after clearing the mirror will vary from instrument to
enclosure for application in industrial or outdoor environment. instrument. As an illustration of the magnitude of this time, the
8.1.2 Electrical connectors and cables shall be suitable for following are approximate times required by a hygrometer to
the industrial or outdoor environment. reach equilibrium after clearing the mirror.
8.2.4.1 For dew points warmer than 0°C: 5 min after
clearing.
8.2.4.2 For dew points 0°C to − 20°C: 5 to 20 min after
clearing.
8.2.4.3 For dew points − 20°C to − 40°C: 20 min to 1 h after
clearing.
8.2.4.4 For dew points − 40°C to − 60°C: 1 h to 2 h after
clearing.
8.2.4.5 For dew points − 60°C to − 70°C: 2 h to 6 h after
clearing.
8.2.5 The pressure differential between the mirror chamber
and the ambient shall not be greater than 0.5 % of the ambient
FIG. 1 Schematic of a Thermoelectric Cooled Condensation pressure. For example, the difference shall not exceed 5 hPa at
Hygrometer an ambient pressure of 1000 hPa.

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 D 4230 – 02e1
8.2.6 The thermometer must measure the temperature of the 11. Procedure
mirror surface and not be influenced by the ambient air 11.1 Selection of Sampling Site—Select sampling site as
temperature. indicated in 9.3 and also in 1.3.2 of the World Meteorological
8.2.7 All materials, which come into contact with the Organization, Guide to Meteorological Instrument and Observ-
sample air before it reaches the dew-point mirror, shall be ing Practices (1).3
nonhygroscopic. Metal, glass, polytetrafluoroethylene, or sta- 11.2 Consult the manufacturer’s operating manual for
bilized polypropylene are examples of suitable materials. start-up procedures.
Polyvinyl chloride tubing must be avoided. 11.3 Perform necessary calibration as indicated in Section
10. The dew-point thermometer will not undergo large shifts
9. Sampling (0.05°C) in calibration unless it is subjected to physical shock.
9.1 Automatic dew-point hygrometers provide an output If the thermometer read-out instrumentation is subjected to
which may be recorded continuously. Modern data loggers varying ambient temperatures, the read-out instrumentation
sample temperature-sensor output periodically, convert the checks must be over the expected range of ambient tempera-
analog sensor signal to a digital form, and store the data. The tures. The frequency with which these checks are required will
proper sampling interval depends on the data application (see be determined by the stability of the readout instrumentation.
13.2). 11.4 Check and verify that all necessary variables are
9.2 Locate a blower or pump, which can be used to move measured and recorded to compute the humidity in the desired
the air sample through the mirror chamber, downstream of the unit(s) see also 12.
dew-point mirror. The airflow rate also depends on the data NOTE 1—In general, it is recommended that ambient temperature and
application and sampling environment. pressure (the pressure in the mirror chamber should not differ from the
9.3 Select the site or location so that the measurement data ambient pressure by more than 0.5 %) and the dew-point temperature be
represents the water vapor content of the ambient atmosphere measured and recorded. The ambient pressure is to be measured according
or industrial environment being sampled. Local water vapor to Test Methods D 3631. This will enable other users of the data to
sources, including ponds, wet roads, and structures can influ- calculate in the different units of humidity.
ence the ambient humidity. Avoid sources of airborne contami- 12. Calculations
nants that can influence to condensation process on the mirror.
12.1 In the meteorological range of pressure and tempera-
9.4 The successful application of this method requires that
ture, the saturation vapor pressure of the pure water phase and
all the materials which come in contact with the sample air
of the moist air will be assumed to be equal. This assumption
upstream of the dew-point mirror be nonhygroscopic.
will introduce an error of approximately 0.5 % of reading or
9.5 The materials which come in contact with the sample air
less.
upstream of the dew-point mirror might be wetted by rain, dew,
12.2 Calculate the ambient relative humidity with respect to
or frost; for example, dew forming on a surface in the early
water using the following approximation.
morning. Design the sampling system to minimize these
deleterious effects. e~Td!
~RHw!T 5 100 % (1)
ew ~ T !
10. Calibration where:
10.1 Provide the calibration data for the thermometer, used (RHw)T = relative humidity with respect to water, %, at
for measuring the condensation temperature with the hygrom- temperature T (°C),
eter. Consult the manufacturer’s operating manual for calibrat- e(Td) = saturation vapor pressure, Pa, at condensation
ing the thermometer readout instrumentation. temperature Td, °C, where Td is the average
10.2 The cooled-surface condensation (dew-point) method value during the sampling period, see Note 2,
is considered to be an absolute or fundamental method for and
measuring humidity. This method requires an accurate mea- ew (T) = saturation vapor pressure, Pa, over water at
surement of the temperature of the surface of the dew-point ambient temperature T, °C, where T is the
mirror. It is not uncommon for the dew-point temperature to be average value during the sampling period.
more than 35 °C colder than the ambient air temperature. To NOTE 2—If the condensate on the mirror is water (dew), use the
measure this temperature accurately, without being influenced saturation vapor pressure over water corresponding to the condensation
by the warmer ambient and the colder heat-sink temperature, temperature Td. If the condensate is ice (frost), use the saturation vapor
requires careful placement of the dew-point thermometer. pressure over ice corresponding to the condensation temperature Td.
10.3 Therefore, in addition to the temperature calibration of Equations for saturation vapor pressure are provided in 12.5.
the thermometer, (see 10.1), a humidity calibration must also 12.3 Calculate the relative humidity with respect to ice as
be performed to verify the proper operation of the hygrometer follows:
(see Annex A1). The following are additional examples of e~Td !
factors that can affect the accuracy of the measurement: ~RHi!T 5
ei ~ T !
100 % (2)
extraneous thermally-induced voltage (emf), heat leakage
through the thermometer leads, self-heating of the thermom-
eter, poor thermal contact, temperature gradient across the 3
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the references at the end of this
mirror, etc. method.

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 D 4230 – 02e1

where: u = (T + 273.15) / 273.16

(RHi)T = relative humidity with respect to ice, %, at tem- a1 = -13.9281690
perature T (°C), a2 = 34.7078238
ei (T) = saturation vapor pressure, Pa, over ice at ambient 12.5 Calculate the mixing ratio as follows:
temperature T, °C, where T is the average value r 5 0.6220 e~Td! / [P 2 e~Td!# (3)
during the sampling period, and
e (Td) = see 12.2. where:
12.4 Saturation vapor pressure calculations are provided in r = mixing ratio and
this section. The equations provided in 12.4.1-12.4.4 are recent e(Td) = see 12.2.
formulations (2) of the Magnus form of exponential expres- 12.6 Calculate parts per million by mass as follows:
sions for saturation vapor pressure. Using similar constants ppmm 5 r 3 10 6 (4)
from other reliable resources can yield reasonably accurate
results as well. Using the appropriate equation depending if the 12.7 Calculate parts per million by volume as follows:
condensate is water or ice will improve the accuracy of the ppmv 5 e~T d! / [P 2 e~Td!# 3 10 6 (5)
calculation. The calculations for moist air rather than the pure
water vapor equations could improve the accuracy by 0.6 % for 13. Precision and Bias
water and 0.88 % for ice (2). 13.1 The estimated precision for this method is valid only
12.4.1 Saturation vapor pressure of pure water vapor over a for constant ambient humidity and the precision varies with the
plane surface of water, ew (T) in hPa at a temperature T(°C) can condensation temperature as shown in Fig. 2. The precision is
be calculated by: based on single-laboratory and multioperator-device test.
ew ~T! 5 6.1094 e17.625 T / ~243.04 1 T! 13.2 The estimated bias of the dew-point hygrometer, as
shown in Fig. 2, is valid only for constant ambient humidity.
12.4.2 Saturation vapor pressure of moist air over a plane
This is true especially for low-condensation temperatures. The
surface of water, ewa(T) in hPa at a temperature T(°C), pressure
bias varies from 60.4°C for condensation temperatures above
P in hPa, and saturation vapor pressure of pure water vapor
freezing to 62.0°C at condensation temperature − 70°C. All
over a plane surface of water, ew (T) in hPa, can be calculated
uncertainties are at the 95 % confidence level.
by:
13.3 If the standard deviation is equal to or less than the
ewa ~T! 5 ew ~T! 1.00071 e0.0000045 P values listed in 13.3.1, the ambient humidity is assumed to be
12.4.3 Saturation vapor pressure of pure water vapor over a sufficiently constant so that the bias curve given in Fig. 2 is
ice, ei(T) in hPa at a temperature T(°C) can be calculated by: valid.
13.3.1 The following criteria shall be used to determine
ei ~T! 5 6.1121 e22.587 T / ~273.86 1 T! whether the ambient humidity is constant:
12.4.4 Saturation vapor pressure of moist air over a ice,
eia(T) in hPa at a temperature T(°C), pressure P in hPa, and
saturation vapor pressure of pure water vapor over ice, ei(T) in
hPa can be calculated by:
eia ~T! 5 ei ~T! 0.99882 e0.000008 P
12.4.5 Alternatively, polynomial expressions have been de-
veloped that yield calculation results that are more completely
accurate over a broader temperature range than the exponential
approximations shown above. Examples of the polynomial
expressions follow which are consistent with the NIST humid-
ity standards (4).
12.4.5.1 The saturation vapor pressure (es) for water in the
temperature range between 0°C and 100°C is:
es 5 2.70102980826 3 1026 T5 1 2.92123923916 3 1024 T4
1 2.53760036868 3 1022 T3 1 1.48376504190 T2 1 4.37196700302
3 101 T 1 6.13141885322 3 102
12.4.5.2 The saturation vapor pressure for ice (es in Pa) in
the temperature range between 173.15 K and 273.15 K is:
es
1n611.657 5 a1~1 2 u–1.5! 1 a2~1 2 u–1.25!

where: FIG. 2 Precision and Bias Versus Dew/Frost Point

4
 D 4230 – 02e1
Number of Read- 14. Keywords
ings Taken Over Calculated
Condensation Duration of Equally Spaced Stand- 14.1 dew-point; humidity; hygrometer; saturation; tempera-
Temperature Sampling Time Time ard Deviation ture; dew-point; vapor pressure
(°C) (min) Intervals (°C)
−70 120 10 to 25 6 0.5
−60 90 10 to 25 6 0.4
−50 60 10 to 25 6 0.3
−40 30 10 to 25 6 0.2
−25 20 10 to 25 6 0.15
−10 15 10 to 25 6 0.1
60 15 10 to 25 6 0.1

13.4 The following is an example on use of the table in

13.3.1:
13.4.1 If the indicated condensation temperature is − 50°C,
take 10 to 25 readings taken at equally spaced time interval for
a period of approximately 60 min, compute the average value
(in this case − 50°C) and the standard deviation. If this
calculated standard deviation is equal to or less than 60.3°C,
the ambient humidity is assumed to be constant and the bias of
the reading at − 50°C is 61.2°C (See Fig. 2). See also 8.2.2.

ANNEXES

(Mandatory Information)

A1. LABORATORY CALIBRATION OF DEW-POINT HYGROMETER

A1.1 An accurate method for the calibration of the hygrom- NOTE A1.1—Secondary standard hygrometers are characterized by
eter is to test the instrument with a humidity generator that long term repeatability and predictable behavior when verified to be
produces air of known humidity (3). performing properly. Working standard hygrometers are characterized by
satisfactory (which meet the users requirements) precision and stability
A1.2 An alternative method is by direct comparison with a when calibrated against a humidity generator or intercompared with a
secondary or working standard hygrometer when both instru- secondary standard.
ments are subjected to the same, preferably constant, humidity.

A2. FIELD CALIBRATION OF DEW-POINT HYGROMETER

A2.1 Install a secondary or working standard hygrometer stant humidity indications, as defined in 13.2, are seen on both
adjacent to the working hygrometer and run an intercompari- instruments. If the sample condensation temperature is steady,
son test. It is very important that the standard and the working the duration of the test will be shorter than when there are large
hygrometers are sampling the same air mass. The exhaust air fluctuations in humidity.
from both hygrometers must not be mixed with the intake air
sample. A2.4 The tests should be performed during periods when
the relative humidity is low and also during periods when the
A2.2 If there is a fixed bias between the readings of the two
hygrometers, interchange the positions of the two instruments relative humidity is high. (A one-point verification check is
to determine if the bias is due to sampling problems. sufficient if the working hygrometer had been calibrated prior
to the installation in the field.)
A2.3 The intercomparison test should continue until con-

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 D 4230 – 02e1
REFERENCES

(1) Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Observing Practices, World Generator, Mark 2” Journal of Research National Bureau of Standards
Meteorological Organization, WMO No. 8, TP3, Fourth Edition, 1971, (U.S.), 81A, No. 1, Jan. to Feb. 1977, pp. 81–88.
Secretariat of WMO, Geneva, Switzerland. (4) Huang, P.H.New equations for water vapor pressure in the temperature
(2) Alduchov, Oleg A., and Eskridge, Robert A., “Improved Magnus Form range -100°C to 100°C for use with the 1997 NIST/ASME steam
Approximation of Saturation Vapor Pressure,” Journal of Applied tables, Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Humid-
Meteorology, 35, April 1996, pp. 601-609.
ity and Moisture, p. 68-76, 1998.
(3) Hasegawa, S., and Little, J. W., “The NBS Two-Pressure Humidity

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