The thermocouple is used for obtaining the air temperature with sensitivity and optimum precision, beyond great advantage over the mercury or alcohol thermometer, because it generates electrical signals that can be stored in automated systems. However, when it comes to obtaining the relative humidity from thermocouple, it is needed caution due to other factors involved. In this study two sets of thermocouple psychrometers, aspirated and no-aspirated were evaluated, relative to a Vaisala set, from 17 to 31/01/2008 (15 days). From measurements of dry and wet bulb temperatures, the relative humidity value was obtained, and it was possible to compare them with the Vaisala set measurements. The two types of psychrometers showed precision and accuracy in measurements of air temperature, and only precision in measurements of relative humidity, being that the aspirated psychrometer presented more precision. Despite the no-aspirated psychrometer has lesser precision in measurements, it is more robust because it is independent of a 12 VDC micro-fan, making it, a sensor with lesser risk of inadequate measures. Both aspirated and no-aspirated psychrometers do not measure accurately the relative air humidity during night period.
datalogger; thermocouple; air temperature and relative humidity
