How sauna thermometers and hygrometers work
How sauna dials and gauges work
This site explains the thermometers and hygrometers used in home saunas. It covers what's inside them, the types you'll see, where they're mounted and why two gauges can disagree. Each page leans on maker pages and reference sources.
It's written for anyone setting up or sorting out the gauges in a home sauna.
All the gauge notes
How a sauna thermometer worksWhat's inside a dial or electronic sauna thermometer, what it senses, and why the number depends on where the gauge hangs.
Sauna thermometer types: dial, electronic and cable sensorsThe kinds of sauna thermometer you'll see, from mechanical dials to cable sensors on heater controls, and how each one senses heat.
How a sauna hygrometer worksWhat a sauna hygrometer measures, the main ways it senses humidity, and why its reading moves when the temperature changes.
Where sauna gauges are mounted and whyWhere makers say a sauna thermometer, hygrometer or heater-control sensor should go on the wall, with distances in inches and centimetres.
Why two gauges in one sauna show different readingsWhy a bench-height gauge, a ceiling gauge and the heater control can disagree, and which differences makers call normal.
Heater control sensor versus a separate wall gaugeThe number on a heater control and the number on a wall thermometer come from different sensors in different spots. Here's how makers describe it.
Materials that survive sauna heat in gauges and cablesWhat temperature ratings makers give for sauna cables, sensors and gauge parts, and what to look for on a label or datasheet.