Bulb thermometers are devices used to measure temperature. They consist of a glass bulb filled with a liquid, usually mercury or alcohol, and a capillary tube. As the temperature changes, the liquid expands or contracts, causing the level in the capillary tube to rise or fall. The temperature can then be read on a scale marked on the tube.
Bulb thermometers offer a number of advantages over other types of thermometers:
Bulb thermometers are not typically used as the best measure of moisture. Moisture is usually measured using a hygrometer, which measures the relative humidity of the air. However, bulb thermometers can be used to measure water damage. If a bulb thermometer is placed in a liquid, it will detect the change in temperature and indicate whether water damage has occurred.
Bulb thermometers are used in a wide range of applications, including: