Instrumentation

Lab.
RTD

Thermistors

Thermocoupl

PRESENTED BY:
Gaurav

Topics -

Resistance Temperature
Devices
Overview

Sensitivity
Response Time
Construction
Signal Conditioning
Dissipation
Constant

Overview

A resistance-temperature detector
(RTD) is a temperature sensor that is
based on the principle of metal resistance
increasing with temperature.
Metals used in these devices
1. platinum, which is very repeatable,
quite sensitive, and very expensive,
2. nickel, which is not quite as
repeatable, more sensitive, and less
expensive.

Sensitivity
RTD sensitivity can be noted from
typical values of , the linear fractional
change in resistance with
temperature
For platinum, this number is
typically on the order of 0.004/C,
and
for nickel a typical value is
0.005/C.
Thus, with platinum, for example, a

Response Time

In general, RTD has a response time of

0.5 to 5 seconds or more.
The slowness of response is due
principally to the slowness of thermal
conductivity in bringing the device into
thermal equilibrium with its environment.
Generally, time constants are specified
either for a "free air" condition (or its
equivalent) or an "oil bath" condition (or its

Construction
An RTD, is simply a length of wire whose
resistance is to be monitored as a function
of temperature.
The construction is typically such that
the wire is wound on a form (in a coil) to
achieve small size and improve thermal
conductivity to decrease response time.
In many cases, the coil is protected from
the environment by a sheath or protective
tube that inevitably increases response
time but may be necessary in hostile
environments.

Construction
Resistance temperature devices
(RTD) are either a metal film deposited
on a former or are wire-wound
resistors.
The devices are then sealed in a
glassceramic composite material.
The electrical resistance of pure
metals is positive, increasing linearly
with temperature
These devices are accurate and can
be used to measure temperatures from
- 300 to 1400F (-170 to 780C).

Figure :- compensation lines in

this typical RTD signal-conditioning
circuit

Figure :- Block diagram for

RTD Circuit

Dissipation Constant

where
DT = temperature rise because of selfheating in C
P = power dissipated in the RTD from the
circuit in W
PD = dissipation constant of the RTD in

Range
The effective range of RTDs
depends principally on the type of
wire used as the active element.
Thus, a typical platinum RTD may
have a range of -100C to 650C,
RTD constructed from nickel
might typically have a specified
range of -180C to 300C.

RTD Applications
Air conditioning
and refrigeration
servicing
Furnace servicing
Foodservice
processing
Medical research
Textile production

RTDs

High cost
Advantages
Disadvantages
Slowest response
time
Most stable over time
Low sensitivity to
Most accurate
small temperature
Most repeatable
changes
temperature
Sensitive to vibration
measurement
(strains the platinum
Very resistant to
element wire)
contamination/

Decalibration if used
corrosion of the RTD
beyond sensors
element
temperature ratings
Somewhat fragile

Thermocuple
Introduction
Thermocuple Principal of Operation
Working of Thermocuple
Applications of thermocuple
Advantages and Disadvantages of
thermocuple

Thermocouples
Two wires of different
metal alloys.
Converts thermal
energy into electrical
energy.
Requires a
temperature
difference between
measuring junction
and reference
junction.

Thermocouple measures temperature

difference (T1 T2) between two
junctions
T1

Copper

Constantan
T2

Voltage output
Copper

- Easy to construct. Just twist together

Copper and Constantan wires, and solder.
- Beautifully suited to measuring temperature
differences directly.
- Requires knowledge of temperature at T2
(reference temp) to get actual temperature
at T1.

Thermocouples Principle of Operation

In, 1821 T. J. Seebeck observed the existence of
an electromotive force (EMF) at the junction
formed between two dissimilar metals
(Seebeck effect).
Seebeck effect is actually the combined
result of two other phenomena, Thomson
and Peltier effects.
Thomson observed the existence of an
EMF due to the contact of two
dissimilar metals at the junction
temperature.
Peltier discovered that temperature
gradients along conductors in a circuit

Working of
Thermocuple

It is generally reasonable to assume that

the emf is generated in the wires, not in
the junction. The signal is generated
when dT/dx is not zero.
When the materials are homogeneous, ,
the thermoelectric power, is a function of
temperature only.
Two wires begin and end at the same two
temperatures.
Generally,asecondorderEqn.isused.
E (T To ) (T To )2

Thermocouple
Applications
Plastic injection molding
machinery
Food processing
equipment
Deicing
Semiconductor
processing
Heat treating
Medical equipment
Industrial heat treating
Packaging equipment

Thermocouples
Least stable, least
Disadvantages
repeatable
Simple, Rugged
Low sensitivity to
High temperature
small temperature
operation
changes
Low cost
Extension wire must
No resistance lead
be of the same
wire problems
thermocouple type
Point temperature
Wire may pick up
sensing
radiated electrical
Fastest response to
noise if not shielded
temperature
Lowest accuracy
changes

Advantages

Thermistors
A thermistor is a type of resistor used to
measure temperature changes, relying on
the change in its resistance with changing
temperature.
Thermistor is a combination of the words
thermal and resistor.
The Thermistor was invented by Samuel
Ruben in 1930.

Thermistors
A semiconductor used as a temperature
sensor.
Mixture of metal oxides pressed into a bead,
wafer or other shape.
Beads can be very small, less than 1 mm in
some cases.
The resistance decreases as temperature
increases, negative temperature coefficient
(NTC) thermistor.

Figure :- circuit diagram for

thermistors

Thermistors
Thermistor materials have a
temperature coefficient of resistance
() given by
= R / Rs (1/ T)
where
R is the change in resistance
due to a temperature change T
RS is the material resistance at
the reference temperature

Thermistors
Thermistors have high sensitivity which can
be up to 10 percent change per degree Celsius,
making them the most sensitive temperature
elements available, but with very nonlinear
characteristics.
The typical response times is 0.5 to 5 s with
an operating range from - 50 to typically 300C.
Devices are available with the temperature range
extended to 500C.
Thermistors are low cost and manufactured in
a wide range of shapes, sizes, and values.

A non linear decrease in

resistance as temperature
increase

Thermistors

Limited
Advantages
Disadvantages
temperature range
High sensitivity to
Fragile
small temperature Some initial
changes
accuracy drift
Temperature
Decalibration if
measurements
used beyond the
become more
sensors
stable with use
temperature
Copper or nickel
ratings
extension wires
Lack of standards
can be used
for replacement

Applications:
1. Temperature measurement.
2. Time delay (self heating from large
current opens the thermistor so it can
be used as a slow switch). Heating = i2 R
where R is the resistance and i is the
current.
3. Surge suppression when a circuit is first
energized. Current needs to flow through
the thermistor for awhile to heat it so
that it opens, and acts again as a
switch.

Resistance v/s Temperature

References
Fundamental of Instrumentation
Control & Process by William C. Dunn
PatArnott, ATMS 360 Atmospheric
Instrumentation
Temperature Sensors By Grant
Stucker

http://google.com/images/thermocup
le
Wikipedia/

Thank You