Lab#6

The Thermocouple

GROUP NO: F
Dania Khaled Alamen
Amani Najeeb Ben Yousaif

Data Acquisition & Control I Lab

EC441L

Dr. Nabil Drawil

January 19, 2020

OBJECTIVE:
We able to describe and demonstrate the operation of a
thermocouple.

Introduction:
The thermocouple is a temperature transducer consisting of two
wires made of different metals soldered or welded together.

Procedures:
The equation we will used to calculate the voltage that we should
calibrate the circuit output at 40 ˚C:
𝐼𝐴 𝑂𝑈𝑇 = α ∗ 𝑇 ∗ 𝐴𝑉
𝐴𝑉 = 100
Α = 51µV/ ˚C

1. The circuit output voltage we calculate at 40˚C:

IA OUT = 204𝑚𝑉

2. The circuit output voltage we calculate at 35˚C:

IA OUT = 178.5𝑚𝑉

3. The measure output voltage at 35˚C:

IA OUT = 178.6𝑚𝑉

4. The circuit output voltage we calculate at 45˚C:

IA OUT = 229.5𝑚𝑉
 5. The measure output voltage at 45˚C:
IA OUT = 232𝑚𝑉

6. The circuit output voltage we calculate at 50˚C:

IA OUT = 255𝑚𝑉

7. The measure output voltage at 50˚C

IA OUT = 258𝑚𝑉

Table 1

TEMP The Calculate The measure The Error

output voltage output voltage (∆V)
(˚C)
(mV) (mV)
35 ˚C 178.5 178.6 0.6
45 ˚C 229.5 232 2.5
50 ˚ 255 258 3

Evaluation:
1. What thermocouple parameter changes with temperature?
b. voltage

2. In order to measure a thermocouple's output, you would require a

c. Voltmeter.

3. You can measure a thermocouple's voltage at several equal

temperature intervals to determine if it has a
a. Linear response.
 Figure 1

4. A thermistor bridge is often used in thermocouple circuit to

d. Offset the measuring junction voltages.

Figure 2

5. For an accurate reading of the thermocouple output voltage, the

thermistor should be at the same temperature as the
c. measuring junctions.

Conclusion:
A thermocouple is a temperature transducer that generates a voltage that
is proportional to its temperature, have a positive temperature
coefficient, and have a very wide temperature range with a nonlinear
response. However, over short temperature ranges, the response is
nearly linear.
 EXERCISE 2: Temperature Measurement

OBJECTIVE:
Explain the use of a thermocouple in temperature measurement
applications.

Introduction:
A thermocouple is an electrical device consisting of two dissimilar
electrical conductors forming an electrical junction. Thermocouples are
commonly used for measuring higher temperatures and larger temperature
ranges. One of the most frequently used temperature Transducers is the
thermocouple.

Procedures:
1. The output voltage should be calibrated at 40⁰C as:
𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇
( ) + 30 = 𝑇
0.5
𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇
= 𝑇 − 30
0.5
𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = (40 − 30) ∗ 0.5
𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 5𝑉

2. The output voltage was calculated at 35⁰C.

𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 2.5 𝑉

3. The output voltage was measured:

𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 2.27 𝑉

4. The output voltage was calculated at 45⁰C:

𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 7.5 𝑉

5. The output voltage was measured:

𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 7.65 𝑉
6. The output voltage was calculated at 50⁰C:
𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 10𝑉

7. The output voltage was measured:

𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 10.36 𝑉

Table 2

TEMP. OUTPUT V (V)

(⁰C) CALCULATED MEASURED ERROR

35 2.5 2.27 -0.23
45 7.5 7.65 0.15
50 10 10.36 0.36

Temp. Vs. Measured voltage

12

10

0
60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Figure 3
 Figure 4

8. The output voltage after 30 seconds is 14.16 V after we connect

the circuit above.
The output voltage has remained about the same.

Evaluation:
1. You can complete for measuring junction voltages in a thermocouple
temperature measurement circuits by using a
a. Wheatstone bridge.

2. One leg of a Wheatstone bridge used in a reference junction circuit

should include a(n)
b. thermistor.

Figure 5

3. The purpose of the instrumentation amplifier in the circuit is to

c. amplify the bridge output voltage.
4. You can adjust this circuit for a 0V output at certain reference
temperature by
a. adjust the CAL pot.

Conclusion:
In a thermocouple temperature measurement circuit, we can use an op
amp to increase the sensitivity of the ice point reference circuit, and
select components for the desired relationship of temperature to output
voltage, and have a low output level that must be amplified for practical
applications.
The thermistor must have be at the same temperature as the
thermocouple measuring junctions to correctly cancel the measuring
junction voltages.