Montana Instruments Cryostation s Series - Mounting a Thermometer

Cryostation® s-series
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4.3 Mounting a Thermometer
Many users choose to remove the sample thermometer and mount it elsewhere in the system or install
a user thermometer. To do this:
NOTICE
Cernox® thermometer wires are extremely fragile.
Handle wires with care to avoid breaking.
1. Remove any VGE (the adhesive lagging the thermometer wire) with isopropyl alcohol or
acetone. Clean off any residual VGE.
2. Clean off the area where the thermometer will be mounted with isopropyl alcohol or acetone.
3. Attach the thermometer, ensuring the bottom is in even, flat contact with the mounting surface.
a. With Clamp: Apply a thin layer of N-grease to the bottom of the thermometer. Clamp it
down securely, ensuring no part of the thermometer “springs up” from the surface.
b. Without Clamp: Apply a small amount of VGE (thinned with acetone or isopropyl
alcohol) to the bottom of the thermometer, wait 10 seconds, then place on the mounting
surface. Use a small weight to apply pressure and hold the sensor in place while it cures
(24 hours under ambient conditions or 30 minutes under 60 °C heat).
c. With Plug: Some sample mounts have a hole location for thermometers; in these cases,
the sensor will come pre-mounted to a thermometer holder. Apply a thin layer of N-
grease around the holder and slide into the hole. To remove, use an Allen key to press
out of the hole from the opposite side.
Step 3a: Thermometer clamped to
mounting surface
Step 3a: Thermometer clamped to
mounting surface
Step 3c: Thermometer installed in plug
Wire lagged with VGE (clamp style)
Wire lagged with VGE (plug style)
Wire tied in place with floss (plug style)
4. Tie the thermometer wire in place using unwaxed floss, nylon string, or Kapton® tape (optional).
Apply VGE to approximately the first 0.5 inches (1 cm) of wire and press to a metal surface to
properly lag the wire. Do not encase the wire in VGE.