Electrical

measurment and
instrumentation
Chapter 2

Mcqs
Thermistor is a transducer. Its temperature coefficient is

A. Negative
B. Positive
C. Zero
D. None of these

ANSWER: A. Negative

The linear variable differential transformer transducer is

A. Inductive transducer
B. Non-inductive transducer
C. Capacitive transducer
D. Resistive transducer
ANSWER: A. Inductive transducer

The transducer used for the measurements is/are

A. Resistance temperature detectors

B. Thermistors
C. Ultrasonic
D. All of these

ANSWER: D. All of these

If at one end, the two wires made of different metals are joined together then a voltage will
get produced between the two wires due to difference of temp between the two ends of
wires. This effect is observed in

A. Thermocouples
B. Thermistors
C. RTD
D. Ultrasonics

ANSWER: A. Thermocouples

Which type of temperature sensor requires cold-junction compensation?

a. RTD
b. Thermistor
c. Semiconductor
d. Thermocouple
e. a and b

The correct answer is d. Thermocouple.

Which metal is most commonly used to make RTD temperature probes?

a. Gold
 b. Silver
c. Titanium
d. Aluminum
e. Iron
f. Platinum

The correct answer is f. Platinum. The resistance is typically 100 Ω at 0°C.

The Callendar-Van Dusen equation is used to linearize the temperature curve of which
sensor?

a. RTD (resistance temperature detector)

b. Thermistor
c. Thermocouple
d. Accelerometer
e. a and b
f. b and d

The correct answer is a. RTD (resistance temperature detector). The Callendar-Van Dusen equation is
used to linearize the resistance versus temperature curve of an RTD when the highest accuracy is
needed. It's usually used in calibration labs.

True or false: A thermocouple voltage is generated across the junction of two dissimilar metals.

The correct answer is false. Most people think the voltage is generated at the junction. Not so. The
material of a wire affects the voltage across its ends, so wires of two different materials produce two
different voltages (V1 and V2) for the same temperature difference. Thus, the voltage across the
terminals is VT = V1 – V2. The voltage develops across the wires, not across the junction.

Which of the following forms of

temperature sensor produces a
large change in its resistance
with temperature, but is very
non-linear?
A pn junction sensor.

A thermistor.
 A platinum resistance thermometer.

Ans thermistor

continuous shell temperature measurement in a liquid-liquid heat e2changer is done by a

A Thermocouple
B.
reistance thermometer
C.
mercury in glass thermometer

ans a

What are the instruments used to measure temperature?

Thermometer, Thermocouple, Resistance temperature detector (RTD), Optical pyrometer, Bi-

metallic temperature indicator.

Choose an instrument from the following which converts heat energy into electrical
energy? say why?

A. RTD
B. Thermocouple
C. Thermister

Answer: B, Thermocouple

RTD and Thermister convert the change in resistance to electrical energy, of course, the change
in resistance occurs when these devices are subjected to heat. While thermocouple directly
converts heat energy to electrical energy.

What is the name of the cable used to connect a thermocouple to a measuring instrument?

Compensating cable

What is the main difference between RTD and Thermister ?

RTD have positive temperature coefficient & Thermister have negative temperature coefficient
What is mean by +ve and -ve temperature coefficient ?

 For + ve temperature coefficient, when the temperature increases the resistance of the
element used for sensing increases.
 For - ve temperature coefficient, when the temperature increases the resistance of the
element used for sensing decreases.

What are Cold junction and Hot junction in a thermocouple?

 Cold junction is the reference junction aways kept at 0degree celsius temperature, to
avoid the effect of ambient temperature (room temperature).
 Hot junction is exposed to varying heat for which the temperature measurement should
take. Where the dissimilar metals are joined.
 How to identify an RTD and a thermocouple?
 Connect a multimeter in resistance mode to the transmitter. If there is reading in ohms
then it is RTD otherwise, it is a thermocouple.
 Always thermocouple shows mV reading and RTD gives ohms reading.

explain the various types of temperature sensors

1. Thermocouples
Thermocouples are voltage devices that indicate temperature measuring with a change in
voltage. As temperature goes up, the output voltage of the thermocouple rises - not necessarily
linearly.

Often the thermocouple is located inside a metal or ceramic shield that protects it from exposure
to a variety of environments. Metal-sheathed thermocouples also are available with many types
of outer coatings, such as Teflon, for trouble-free use in acids and strong caustic solutions.
Thermocouples measure voltage change and signify temperature.

2. Resistive Temperature Measuring Devices

Resistive temperature measuring devices also are electrical. Rather than using a voltage as the
thermocouple does, they take advantage of another characteristic of matter which changes with
temperature - its resistance. The two types of resistive devices we deal with at OMEGA
Engineering, Inc., in Stamford, Conn., are metallic, resistive temperature devices (RTDs) and
thermistors.

In general, RTDs are more linear than are thermocouples. They increase in a positive direction,
with resistance going up as temperature rises. On the other hand, the thermistor has an entirely
different type of construction. It is an extremely nonlinear semiconductive device that will
decrease in resistance as temperature rises.
Resistive devices change in resistance as temperature shifts.

 3 Thermocouple: It is a type of temperature sensor, which is made by joining two dissimilar

metals at one end. The joined end is referred to as the HOT JUNCTION. The other end of these
dissimilar metals is referred to as the COLD END or COLD JUNCTION. The cold junction is actually
formed at the last point of thermocouple material. If there is a difference in temperature
between the hot junction and cold junction, a small voltage is created. This voltage is referred to
as an EMF (electro-motive force) and can be measured and in turn used to indicate
temperature.

Thermocouple

 The RTD is a temperature sensing device whose resistance changes with temperature. Typically
built from platinum, though devices made from nickel or copper are not uncommon, RTDs can
 take many different shapes like wire wound, thin film. To measure the resistance across an RTD,
apply a constant current, measure the resulting voltage, and determine the RTD resistance.
RTDs exhibit fairly linear resistance to temperature curves over their operating regions, and any
nonlinearity are highly predictable and repeatable. The PT100 RTD evaluation board uses
surface mount RTD to measure temperature. An external 2, 3 or 4-wire PT100 can also be
associated with measure temperature in remote areas. The RTDs are biased using a constant
current source. So as to reduce self-heat due to power dissipation, the current magnitude is
moderately low. The circuit shown in figure is the constant current source uses a reference
voltage, one amplifier, and a PNP transistor.

 Thermistors: Similar to the RTD, the thermistor is a temperature sensing device whose
resistance changes with temperature. Thermistors, however, are made from semiconductor
materials. Resistance is determined in the same manner as the RTD, but thermistors exhibit a
highly nonlinear resistance vs. temperature curve. Thus, in the thermistors operating range we
can see a large resistance change for a very small temperature change. This makes for a highly
sensitive device, ideal for set-point applications.

.
An example for a temperature sensor is LM35. The LM35 series are precision integrated-circuit
temperature sensors, whose output voltage is linearly proportional to the Celsius temperature.
The LM35 is operates at -55˚ to +120˚C.

The basic centigrade temperature sensor (+2˚C to +150˚C) is shown in figure below.

Features of LM35 Temperature Sensor:

 Calibrated directly in ˚ Celsius (Centigrade)

 Rated for full l −55˚ to +150˚C range
 Suitable for remote applications
 Low cost due to wafer-level trimming
 Operates from 4 to 30 volts
 Low self-heating,
 ±1/4˚C of typical nonlinearity

Operation of LM35:

 The LM35 can be connected easily in the same way as other integrated circuit temperature
sensors. It can be stuck or established to a surface and its temperature will be within
around the range of 0.01˚C of the surface temperature.
 This presumes that the ambient air temperature is just about the same as the surface
temperature; if the air temperature were much higher or lower than the surface temperature,
the actual temperature of the LM35 die would be at an intermediate temperature between the
surface temperature and the air temperature.
 The temperature sensors have well known applications in
environmental and process control and also in test, measurement and communications. A digital
temperature is a sensor, which provides 9-bit temperature readings. Digital temperature sensors
offer excellent precise accuracy, these are designed to read from 0°C to 70°C and it is possible to
achieve ±0.5°C accuracy. These sensors completely aligned with digital temperature readings in
degree Celsius.

14. Which type of temperature sensors is used as standard in temperature measurements? Why?

18. Compare the characteristics of thermistor and the RTD

What is difference between thermocouple and thermostat?

A thermistor is a temperature-sensitive resistor, whilst a thermocouple generates a voltage

proportional to the temperature. Thermocouples can work at much higher temperatures than
thermistors. They are commonly used for temperature control in heating systems.

A thermocouple is a device which generates an electrical charge when heated. It is often used on
a boiler to indicate that the pilot light is on and hot, so it should be safe to allow gas to pass to the
main burner for heating water, your house, etc. Should the pilot light go out, the thermocouple
will sort of "tell" the boiler to shut off the gas, as it isn't safe to fire up. A thermostat is used as a
switch, which goes on and off at a certain temperature. For example, in a boiler it will tell the
boiler that the water in the circuit is plenty hot enough and that it doesn't need to be heated any
more, in your house it wil tell your central heating that the room is warm enough and doesn't
need heating tell your central heating that the room is warm enough and doesn't need heating any
more and in your car it would say that your engine is too hot and that the radiator valve should
open, and perhaps the cooling fan should turn on.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of thermocouple?

Advantages of Thermocouple

1.Very wide temperature range (1.2 K to 2300 deg C)

2.Fast response time
3.Available in small sheath sizes
4.Low initial cost
5.Durable

Disadvantages of Thermocouple

1.Decreased accuracy comparing to RTD

2.More susceptible to RFI/EMI
3. Recalibration is difficult
4.Requires expensive TC wire from sensor to recording device
5.Difficult to verify
6.Not as stable as RTD

What is the difference between RTD and thermocouple?

RTD have output in ohm and thermocouple have output in milivolt(mv)

What is the difference between thermocouple and thermistor?

A thermocouple generates a voltage which depends on the temperature difference between the two
ends of a pair of special wires. A thermistor is a resistor whose value changes significantly and in a
predictable way with temperature
Advantages of RTD

1.Most stable
2.Most accurate
3.More linear than thermocouple

Disadvantages of RTD

1.Expensive
2.Current source required
3.Low absolute resistance
4.self heating

Advantages of Thermocouple

1.Self powered
2.Simple
3.Rugged
4.Inexpensive
5.Wide variety
6.Wide temperature range
Disadvantages of Thermocouple

1.Non-Linear
2.Low voltage
3.Reference required
4.Least stable
5.Least sensitive

Advantages of thermistor

1.High output
2.Two-wire resistant measurement

Disadvantages of thermistor

1.Non linear
2.Limited temperature range
3.Fragile
4.Current source required
5.Self heating

Thermocouple

Advantages - Passive
Inexpensive
Rugged
Temperature Range

Disadvantages - Low voltage as output

Required Cold junction compensation
Variable accuracy

RTD

Advantages - High accuracy

High stability

Disadvantages -
Expensive
Requires excitation
Low resistance as output
Self heating

Thermistors
Advantages- High resistance
High sensitivity

Disadvantages - Highly non linear output

Limited operating range
Requires excitation
Self heating