Electronic Instrumentation

(10 IT 35)

Unit - 07

Prof G B Gour

Prof G B Gour 1
 VTU Syllabus

Prof G B Gour 2
 Unit-07
Transducers-I:
Introduction/Electrical Transducer

Electrical Transducer
It is a sensing device by which physical, mechanical or
optical quantity to be measured is transformed directly by a
suitable mechanism into an electrical voltage or current
proportional to the input measurand.

Prof G B Gour 3
 Parameters of an Electrical Transducer
1. Linearity: Linear I/O Relationship
2. Sensitivity: An electrical output/ unit change in the physical
parameter ( V/ºC)
3. Dynamic Range: Allows wide range of measurement conditions
4. Repeatability: Predictable I/O relation for longer period of time
5. Physical Size: Minimal weight & Volume of transducer so that, its
presence should not disturb the existing conditions.

Prof G B Gour 4
 Advantages of Electrical Transducer
1. Electrical amplification & attenuation can be easily done.
2. Mass-inertia effects are minimized.
3. Friction effects are minimized.
4. Indication of O/P with/without remote recording.
5. Hence O/P can be modifiable.
6. Signal can be conditioned.
7. Electrical or Electronic system is controllable with very small
power level.
8. Such an electrical O/P can be easily used, transmitted &
processed for further measurement.

Prof G B Gour 5
 Electrical Transducers are broadly classified into Active &
Passive Transducers.

An Active Transducer
1. Generates directly an electrical signal in response to physical
parameter without requiring an external power source.
2. Hence, Active transducers are called self generating devices,
which operate under energy conversion principle with
generation of an equivalent o/p signal.
3. Example: Piezo electric Transducer, Photo Voltaic cells.

Prof G B Gour 6
 Passive Transducer
1. Generates an electrical signal in response to physical
parameter with an external power source.
2. Hence, are named as Passive transducers which, operate
under energy controlling principle which makes it necessary
to depend on change in an electrical parameter ( R, L & C)
3. Example: Strain gauges, Thermistors.

Prof G B Gour 7
 Unit-07
Transducers-I:
Selecting a Transducer

Following are considered when Selecting a Electrical Transducer

1. Operating Range: Chosen for desired range of requirements & Entire
Resolution.
2. Sensitivity: Chosen for allowing sufficient output.
3. Frequency Response & Resonance Frequency: Flat over the
entire desired range.
4. Environmental Compatibility: Temperature range, Corrosion fluids,
Pressure, Shocks, Size & Mounting Restrictions.

Prof G B Gour 8
5. Minimum Sensitivity: To Expected Stimulus, other than the
measurand.
6. Accuracy: Repeatability & calibration errors are considered.
7. Usage & ruggedness: Ruggedness, both mechanical &
electrical intensities V/s Size & weight
8. Electrical Parameters: Length & Type of Cable required,
S/N ratio when working with amplifiers, Frequency
response limitations.

Prof G B Gour 9
 Unit-07
Translatory resistive elements
Transducers-I:
Resistive Transducer
1. Potentiometer

Definition:
Rotational resistive elements
Resistive Transducer are those in which the
resistance changes due to a change in some
physical phenomenon.

Example
Change in Length of To measure
the conductor Displacement.
Change in Strain To measure
Helical resistive elements Displacement, force
& Pressure.
Change in Resistivity To measure
Temperature

Prof G B Gour 10
 Advantages of Potentiometers
1. They are inexpensive.
2. Simple to operate.
3. They are useful for the measurement of large amplitudes of
displacement.
4. As electrical efficiency is very high, provides sufficient O/P for
control operations.

Disadvantages of Potentiometers
1. A large force is needed to move the sliding contacts when
using linear pot.
2. Sliding contacts can wear out, become misaligned & generate
noise.

Prof G B Gour 11
 2. Resistance Pressure Transducer

Change in Pressure leads to change in Resistance of sensing elements.

2
Types

1. Electro mechanical resistance transducer: in which a change in

pressure, stress, position, displacement is applied to the variable resistor.

2. Strain Guage, where the stress acts directly on the resistance for the
stress & displacement measurement.

2 ways, by which pressure affects the sensitive resistance

element.....

Prof G B Gour 12
 Bellow Type

Diaphragm Type

Prof G B Gour 13
 Unit-07
Transducers-I:
Resistive Position Transducer
Principle:
Physical variable under measurement causes a resistance change in the
sensing element.

One type of displacement transducer uses a resistive element with sliding

contact/ wiper liked to the object being measured. Thus, the resistance
between the slider & one end of the resistance element depends on the
position of the object.

W Typical Method

Vo

Prof G B Gour 14
Prof G B Gour 15
 R3

R4

Prof G B Gour 16
 Unit-07
Transducers-I:
Resistance Thermometer
Principle:
Resistance of a conductor changes when its temperature changes. This
property is used in Resistance Thermometer, to measure electrical
resistance in terms of temperature.

Main Part:
Its main part is its sensing element. And characteristics of the sensing
element decides the sensitivity & operating temperature range of the
instrument.
The sensing element should have following properties...
1. Could be any material exhibiting relatively large resistance change
with change in temperature.
2. The material should be stable, means; neither its temperature nor its
temperature coefficient of resistance undergo permanent change
with use or age.
3. There should be a linear change in resistance with change in
temperature.

Prof G B Gour 17
 Sensing Material:
Platinum, Nickel & Copper.

Resistivity of the Platinum increases less rapidly at higher temperatures

compared to other metals. Hence, it is a commonly used material for
resistance thermometers. The temperature range over which Platinum
has stability is 260-1100 Degree C

Example: Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometer

Prof G B Gour 18
Prof G B Gour 19
 Advantages of Resistance Thermometer:
1. The measurement is very accurate.
2. More flexibility with choice of equipment.
3. Resistive elements can be used to measure different temperature.
4. Have wide working range with better accuracy & temperatures
ranges, ( -200 Degree C to 650 Degree C).
5. Best suited for remote indication.
6. Resistive element response time is 2 s to 10 s.
7. No necessity of temperature compensation.
8. stability of performance over long periods of time.

Limitations of Resistance Thermometer:

1. High Cost.
2. Need for bridge circuit & Power source.
3. Possibility of self heating
4. Large bulb size compared to a Thermocouple.

Prof G B Gour 20
 Unit-07
Asked in last VTU Question Paper
Transducers-I:
Thermistor
1. Thermistor means Thermally Sensitive Resistor; are non metallic
resistors.
2. Thermistors have –Ve temperature Coefficient; resistance decreases a
temperature rises.

Resistance at room temperature ranges

from 100 Ω to 10 MΩ, are suitable for
use up to 800 ºC.

Resistance of Thermistors at room

temperature may decrease by 5 %/ 1ºC
rise in temperature.
This high sensitivity to temperature
changes makes the Thermistor useful
for precision temperature
measurements, control &
Compensation

Prof G B Gour 21
3. Probes used for measuring temperature of liquids:
Smallest Thermistors in the form of beads ( 0.15 mm in diameter),
may be sealed in glass; glass probes.
Glass probes have a diameter of 2.5 mm & length of 6 mm to 50
mm.

Different Versions of Thermistors

1. Disc Thermistor:
* 10 mm in diameter, Self supporting or
mounted on a small plate, having a
resistance of 1 Ω to 1 MΩ
* Mainly Used for Temperature control

2. Washer Thermistor:
* Similar to Disc type but, having a hole at
the centre for mounting on bolt

Prof G B Gour 22
 3. Rod Thermistor:
* are in the form of long cylinder of
1.25mm, 2.75mm, 4.25 mm in diameter
with 12.5mm to 50mm long; with leads
at ends.
* Resistance of 1-50kΩ
* Produces high resistance with high
power handling capability

Thermistors are chemically stable & Can be used in nuclear

environments.

Thermistors are used in limiting & regulation circuits, as time delays, for
integration of power supplies, memory units.

Prof G B Gour 23
 Advantages:
1. Small Size & low cost
2. Fats response over narrow temperature range.
3. Good sensitivity in NTC region.
4. Contact & lead resistance problems not there, due to large Rth.

Disadvantages:
1. Non linearity in Resistance V/s Temperature Characteristics.
2. Unsuitable for wide temperature range.
3. Very low excitation current to avoid self heating.
4. Need for shielded power lines, filters due to high resistance.

Prof G B Gour 24
Prof G B Gour 25
Prof G B Gour 26