Mathematical model to approximate the response of a Zener cell output under varying environmental conditions

Abstract

Fifteen national and territorial metrology institutes in the Asia-Pacific region have taken part in a comparison of dc voltage coordinated by the National Measurement Centre of the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board. A Zener cell was used as the travelling standard in the comparison. A mathematical model based on a first-order differential equation is developed to describe the influence of time, temperature, and humidity on the Zener voltage. The results of comparisons with Josephson array voltage standards (JAVSs) in seven different laboratories agree well with data predicted by the model.