Thermal insulation in building planning is a sub-area of construction physics; it uses appropriate measures such as component design to enable a comfortable room climate all year round while at the same time consuming little energy. This is achieved by using building materials with high thermal resistance and low transmission by heat radiation.

The WL 376 device is used to investigate various non-metallic building materials with regard to their thermal conductivity in accordance with DIN52612. The scope of delivery includes samples made of different materials: insulating panels made of Armaflex, chipboard, PMMA (acrylic glass), styrofoam, Polystyrene-PS, Polyoxymethylene-POM, cork and plaster. The samples all have the same dimensions and are placed between a heated plate and a water-cooled plate. A clamping device ensures reproducible contact pressure and heat contact.

The hot plate is heated by an electric heating mat. In the cold plate, the temperature is achieved by water cooling. Sensors measure the temperatures at the cooling water inlet and outlet and in the centre of both plates.

The temperatures for the hot plate above the sample and for the cold plate underneath the sample are set using the software provided. A temperature control system ensures constant temperatures.

The heat flux between the hot plate and the cold plate passes through the sample and is measured by a special heat flux sensor. The entire housing, including the cover, is thermally insulated to ensure constant ambient conditions.

The measured values are transmitted directly to a PC via USB where they can be analysed using the software included.