FAQ's
Clocks | Cooking | Weather
Clocks
Q: How do Atomix™ clocks work?
A: In addition to a regular quartz motor, Atomic clocks contain an antenna and a microchip. The antenna receives the official time signal from the US Government’s National Institute of Standards and Technology and the microchip translates the time signal and adjusts the time display to the correct time. The clock does not rely on the atomic signal to keep accurate time. It is used set initial time and update it periodically (usually daily). It can take up to 24-48 hours for the clock to pick up the atomic signal. Visit http://www.nist.gov for further information on the atomic signal.
Q: What is the signal that Atomic clocks receive?
A: Atomic clocks receive a 60-kilohertz, low frequency AM radio signal from the WWVB radio station maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The NIST is the official timekeeper for the US and is located in Boulder, Colorado. Its WWVB station is located nearby in Ft. Collins. The NIST and its sister agency, the US Naval Observatory, participate with an international coalition of agencies to determine official world time, called Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Both of these agencies establish time via high frequency shortwave and low frequency AM radio signals, satellite transmission, Internet, and via telephone. Atomic timepieces make this technology accessible to everyday consumers.
Q: How does the time from my Atomic clock relate with Greenwich Mean Time?
A: Greenwich Mean Time and Coordinated Universal Time are roughly the same. As explained above, world time or UTC is determined through an averaging of several atomic clocks from around the world Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is a 24-hour astronomical time system based on the local time at Greenwich, England. UTC is considered to be more accurate when fractions of a second are not important.
Q: Will Atomic clocks work everywhere?
A: Atomic clocks will work anywhere they receive the WWVB signal from the NIST. This signal is broadcast to reach across the continental US and into parts of Canada and Mexico.
*There are some environments and weather conditions that may influence the reception of the AM radio signal. Just as with an AM radio, the clock can be positioned for optimal reception. For instance, it is best to position the clock away from metal studs and toward the directions of the tower in Colorado. Since these timepieces contain highly accurate quartz movements, they function with very high levels of accuracy between signal receptions.
Q: Is it true Atomic clocks change all by themselves for daylight-saving?
A: An Atomic timepiece will automatically adjust for daylight-saving time when it receives the signal from the NIST’s WWVB station.
*This change may not occur precisely at 2 a.m. on the date of the time change. The change will occur when the timepiece gets a clear signal. The feature that allows the daylight-saving switch to occur can be turned off on all of the clocks.
This update can take 24-48 hours and in some cases 72 hours depending on your location to the atomic clock signal.
Q: How can I get the two dots in between the hour and the minute to stop flashing?
A: There is no way to stop the dots from flashing. That is the design of the clock.
Q: My clock did not change for daylight-savings, why?
A: For analog clocks: the battery strength may be low. If you have not changed batteries for 6-12 months you may need to do a battery change. Signal strength may be low. Do not try to manually change. For digital clocks you want to check and make sure that the daylight-savings option is turned on.
Q: What will I see at 2 a.m. when my Atomic clock time changes in the spring and fall?
A: When it receives signal from the NIST, the display on an Atomic timepiece will automatically change. In the spring it will advance an hour. Since the hands do not actually move backward, the clock will move forward eleven hours in the fall to reflect the correct time. In either case, you will see the hands spin on an analog clock and the numbers advance with speed on a digital clock.
Q: How often do Atomic clocks search for the correct time?
A: Clocks are programmed to search for the signal everyday.
*Initially the clock will search for a signal once per hour for 24 to 72 hours until it is able to decode the correct time and set. Once the clock has initially set, it will search for the signal from 5 to 7 times per day to maintain accuracy.
Q: Can I set my Atomic clock to the time of any other place in the world?
A: For analog (dial) clocks: you can set your clock to any world time by manually turning the clocks hour hand to show the time that you want to see. The minute and the second hands automatically adjust to reflect the official time to the second. For digital clocks: for our customers convenience Atomic digital clocks are sold with automatic presets to the four United States time zones.
Q: What will happen to my Atomic clock when I physically move from time zone to time zone?
A: Digital clocks need to be manually changed between time zones, but doing so is easy and you will maintain extreme accuracy even as you change. Analog clocks will need to be reset using the current local time in the new zone.
Q: Can I set my Atomic clock so that it will always be exactly five minutes fast?
A: Your analog wall clocks can be set to however minutes you would like. After the clock has received the signal, turn the GREY WHEEL to advance the hands to your desired time difference. The clock will then maintain that difference precisely. For digital clocks they can not be set to read fast.
Q: How can I find the correct time in my area?
A: The best way is to call the NIST at (303) 499-7111. Any other sources, including the time number in your local phone book, the internet, cell phones, and cable TV receivers may be off by several seconds. You can also visit http://www.nist.gov.
Q: My clock is reading 1, 2, or 3 hours off, why?
A: You want to check and make sure that your time zone is set correctly and if you observe daylight-savings that your option is turned on.
Q: I noticed that my clock is reading the incorrect time, month, and date, why?
A: Your clock, during the time of receiving the signal could have experienced some type of interference. You can either change the clock manually or you can try moving the clock in front of a window facing towards Colorado and let it update on its own which may take 24 -48 hours.
Q: Why does the time on my clock flash?
A: A flashing display is an indication of low battery power. We recommend using fresh alkaline batteries. We do NOT recommend using rechargeable batteries or heavy duty batteries in any of our digital products. They are not designed for this type of use and may cause the unit to perform as a defective unit or not at all. They will also cause the display to flash 100% of the time.
Q: Why is my clock not reading AM or PM?
A: If your clock does not show AM or PM than your clock is reading in military time. You would than want to refer to your instruction manual on how to change that or you can contact technical support at the toll free number above. Some models only include a PM light indicator. If this is not showing, then the time is displaying AM time.
Q: Where can I go if I want to learn more about time?
A: For more information about time visit:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology website
How Time Works
Time and Date.com
Horology.com
How NIST Time and Frequency Broadcasts Work
Discovery Channel's The Skinny On Time
Chicago Museum of Science and Industry Exhibit on Time
Watch and Clock Museum
The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc.
Time FAQ's from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
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Cooking
Q: What does NSF mean?
A: The NSF symbol, which can be found on a kitchen thermometer dial or casing, indicates that the thermometer has passed strict safety standards guided by the National Sanitation Foundation. It is most often seen on thermometers used in restaurants and foodservice preparation facilities.
Q: When I plug the probe into my digital meat thermometer it will only register HI, why?
A: When the probe is not plugged in to the meat thermometer that section will read LO, but before placing the probe in to the meat the probe than will register room temperature. If it only registers HI after the probe is plugged in than you have a bad probe. You can purchase additional meat probes by calling 1-800-777-0565.
Q: Where can I go if I want to learn more about food temperature?
A: For more information about temperature, visit:
U.S. Government's Web site about food safety is www.foodsafety.gov or go to www.fsis.usda.gov/food_safety_education/Thermy/
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Weather
Q: What fluid is in your tube thermometers?
A: There is no mercury in any of our thermometers; the fluid in our tube thermometers is mineral spirits with red dye.
Q: My main unit is reading an indoor temperature but dashes for outdoor temperature, why?
A: You have what we call signal interference. There is something within your home or area that is interfering with the signal from the remote sensor to the main unit. You may want to relocate your units or bring them closer together.
Q: My wireless weather station periodically beeps, why?
A: Make sure that any alert and/or alarm features are deactivated first. Constant, sporadic beeping is generally due to the unit’s ability to detect a foreign radio frequency of another wireless unit when that unit transmits a signal. Wireless devices that may cause beeping but are not limited to these devices are; scanners; computers w/wireless keyboard/mouse; or other wireless weather instruments. Essentially, any wireless devices transmitting on a radio frequency have the potential to interfere with each other. Limit the amount of wireless devices to lesson the chance of interference. When beeping occurs, one device will need to be deactivated.
Q: I am not receiving an accurate outdoor temperature, why?
A: If you want to know if your unit is reading correctly you can place the main unit and remote sensor side by side. The indoor temperature and outdoor temperature should read within our industrial standard of +/- 2 degrees.
Q: Is the remote sensor for my weather station water proof?
A: The remote sensors are not “waterproof” meaning “able to submerse.” “Water resistant” or "weather resistant" is the applicable description for these sensors. Prolonged exposure to cold weather may cause damage to the LCD panel in addition to draining your batteries. And of course battery corrosion will harm the units. Extreme heat will cause your batteries drain and more importantly, to explode and corrode in the compartment also. Although the units are intended for outdoor use, placing them in a protected area will preserve the life of the unit.
Q: Where on the remote sensor is the “TX” button and how do I change it from Celsius to Fahrenheit on my remote sensor?
A: To register the remote to the base unit by pressing the “TX” button for three seconds. The “TX” button is inside the battery compartment of the remote sensor. Remove this covering and underneath is your battery compartment and setup buttons, some units are equipped with a “C/F” button as well as a “TX” button inside this battery compartment. To read remote in Fahrenheit, press the “C/F” button at this time also. Than replace the cover. Both buttons, "TX" & "C/F" are hidden inside the protective backing to ensure weather and water resistance of this unit that is intended for the outdoors.
Q: My dial thermometer is stuck at one temperature and has never changed, why?
A: The thermometer may need to be calibrated. You can find those instructions for calibrating your thermometer in trouble shooting.
Q: Where can I learn more about weather?
A: For weather information visit www.accuweather.com
Q: Where can I buy your products?
A: Click here to find out.
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