Design of Temperature Transmitter

1. Abstract:
To measure temperature we have many devices like RTD,
thermocouples etc. but in order to use that measured temperature we have to send
the control signals to the controller which are electrical in nature so we have to
convert the measured temperature into respective voltage or current whichever is
required according to the application. So we here the design the temperature
transmitter which converts the given temperature range into voltage or current.

2. List of Figures

S.no
Name
1 IC 741 Pin Diagram
2 Signal Conditioning Circuit
3 Plot of Output current versus Temperature

Page No
7
10
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PRELAB QUESTIONS
1. What is a transmitter? How does it differs from other devices?
Ans:An electronic device that generates and amplifies a carrier wave, modulates

it with meaningful signal derived from speechor other sources, and radiates the
resulting signal from an antenna. The transmitter converts the real world signal,
such as flow, speed, position, level, temperature, humidity, pressure, etc., into
the control signal necessary to regulate the flow of current. It acts like a variable
resistor with respect to its input signal and is the key to the 4-20mA signal
transmission system.
Transmitters are current output devices. If it is a two wire transmitter it is
used to receive power and transmit an output signal. They frequently vary
between 4-20mA. They do not suffer from degradation of signal output with
distance irrespective of line distance. So they are used for long distance
transmission. In usual devices electrical resistance of the connecting cable can
cause significant error. The current loop in the transmitter is mostly insensitive
to noise.

2. What is a 2- wire, 3-wire and 4-wire transmitter?

Ans : 2-wire transmitters are used to convert various process signals

representing flow, speed, position, level, temperature, pressure, strain, pH, etc.,
to 4-20mA DC for the purpose of transmitting the signal over some distance
with little or no loss of signal. A two wire transmitter is energized by the loop
current. 2-wire transmitter relies on loop power from the receiving device,
usually 24 VDC, to operate the transmitter interface, to tranduce, characterize,
and send the signal back to the receiving device.
The advantage of 2 wire systems is half the wire runs are required. The
disadvantage is relatively low impedance capability that may limit the type and
number of devices you can drive with the signal as well as distance that
the signal can be transmitted before circuit loading occurs.
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3-wire transmitter is energized by a supply voltage at the transmitter. The

transmitter sources the loop current. Transmitter common is connected to the
receiver common. The only advantage of 3-wire technology is that higher ohmic
loads are possible, i.e., the current loop can also be operated on a measuring
instrument of relatively high input impedance
4-wire transmitter, or self-powered, can be 24 VDC or line powered (requires
external
power supply). 4-wire transmitter is energized by the external power
supply at the transmitter. The transmitter sources the loop current to a floating
receiver load. The advantage of 4 wire systems is higher signal side impedance, so
better loading and signal transmission distance characteristics. The disadvantage,
more wire.

3. Differentiate conventional and smart transmitters?

Conventional transmitters can handle analog signals only where the smart
transmitters can handle digital signals also. In conventional 4-20mA transmitter
only information regarding the process variable is measured is sent while smart
transmitters can sent metadata. Smart transmitter contain microprocessor as
integral unit within the device .These devices have built-in diagnostic capability
and greater accuracy. They are less subjected to the effect of temperature and
humidity .
4. Why it is preferred to transmit signals in the form of current than
voltage?
Ans : The current loop is very less sensitive to electrical noise, which make them

ideal for long distance transmission. The impedance of current loop is very less
compared to the high impedance of the voltage loop.
Current signals are preferred to voltage signals because they are inherently
more immune to noise, and the 4mA zero offset helps further with signal integrity.
While maintaining a perfect 0 mA signal would be nearly impossible in the
presence of noise, it is possible to "bury" the noise in the 4mA offset signal and
represent the minimum value cleanly. Voltage signals are also used, but they are
usually confined to relatively noise-free areas like control panels or laboratory
environments.
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The inherent disadvantage of using voltage to transmit signals in an

industrial environment is voltage drops over long cable lengths due to wire
resistance. By using current signals and low impedance data acquisition devices,
industrial applications benefit from better noise immunity and longer transmission
cable lengths.

5. What is the role of a universal calibrator in an industry?

Ans :

Universal calibrator can be used to calibrate any instrument in the

industry . Universal calibrator is a hand held, battery operated tool for measuring
electrical parameters. It has all the features of a digital multimeter (besides the
feature of RTD and Thermocouple), it could also output signals of direct voltage,
current, resistance, temperature and frequency as well
It can be used to:
Calibrations of instruments
Commissioning of field instruments
Repair & Maintenance of field instrument
Use as millimeter with limited facilities

5. Experiment Description
Aim:
To design a signal conditioning for a temperature transmitter, that has output
range 4-20mA for a temperature range of

150 o c

to

300 o c

Components Required:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Bread board
DC Power Supply
Ic741
Resistors
BC107BP
Connecting Wires

Theory:
Resistance temperature detector can be used as a temperature sensor where the
resistance increases with respect to increase in temperature. Resistance thermometers, also
called resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), are sensors used to measure temperature by
correlating the resistance of the RTD element with temperature.
Platinum is the best metal for RTDs because it follows a very linear resistancetemperature relationship and it follows the R vs T relationship in a highly repeatable
manner over a wide temperature range. The unique properties of platinum make it the
material of choice for temperature standards over the range of -272.5 C to 961.78 C, and
is used in the sensors that define the International Temperature Standard, ITS-90.
Platinum is chosen also because of its chemical inertness. The platinum
detecting wire needs to be kept free of contamination to remain stable. A platinum wire or
film is supported on a former in such a way that it gets minimal differential expansion or
other strains from its former, yet is reasonably resistant to vibration. RTD assemblies made
from iron or copper are also used in some applications. Commercial platinum grades are
produced which exhibit a temperature coefficient of resistance
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0.00385 / o c

The American Fundamental Interval is

0.00392 / o c

, based on using a purer grade of

platinum than the European standard. The signal conditioning circuit consists of a
Wheatstone bridge with RTD as one of its resistors. Thus the change in temperature is
converted to change in resistance value of RTD and thus the corresponding voltage change
(0-4v) for the given range of temperature. The difference in voltage from the bridge is
amplified by the differential amplifier and the inverting amplifier, the summer adds up 1v
in order to obtain the desired range (1-5v) corresponding to the given temperature range.
Finally V-I converter converts the voltage into the current signal of range (4-20mA).

Fig 2 : IC 741 Pin

Diagram

Design Procedure:
For PT100RTD we know have 100 Ohms at zero degree centigrade. We know
that

RT Ro [1 T ]

At
At

150 o c

R150 100[1 0.00385 150] 157.75

300 o c

R250 100[1 0.00385 300] 215.15

Let bridge resistances

At

150 o c

Vx [

R1 R3 100, R2 160, Vin 5v

R2
R RTD

]Vin
R1 R2 R3 R RTD

Adjust RTD such that bridge is balanced so

Vx 0

At

300 o c

Vx [

R2
RRTD

]Vin
R1 R2 R3 RRTD

Adjust RTD to the resistance at

300 o c

V x 0.285v

For differential amplifier let

For inverting amplifier let

R5 R6 1k

R7 1k

We get

so

, gain=1.

R12 14k
8

R12
Vin
R9

, by substituting

For summer

R10 R11 R13 R14 1k

, gain=1

Procedure:
1. Verify and check working of components, opamps.
2. Set up the circuit as shown in the bread board.
3. First balance the bridge as per the RTD minimum corresponding to the
minimum temperature form the range selected.
4. Verify the RTD value as per design and note the voltage output of each stage.
5. Next find the current output and note down the readings.
6. Observe and record current output for each value.

Circuit Diagram:

Fig3 : Signal Conditioning Circuit

Tabulation:
Temperature

Resistance RTD

Voltage(v)

Current(mA)

150 o c

157.75

10

170 o c

165.45

1.45

5.8

190 o c

173.15

1.95

7.8

210 o c

180.85

2.62

10.4

230 o c

188.55

3.2

12.8

250 o c

196.25

3.7

14.8

270 o c

203.95

4.4

17.6

290 o c

211.65

4.8

19.2

300 o c

215.15

4.9

19.9

Graph:

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Fig 4 : Plot of Current versus

Temperature

Result: The signal conditioning circuit for temperature transmitter that allows a
transmission range of

150 o c

to

300 o c

is designed.

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