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Thermocouples, RTDs, and thermistors are common temperature sensors that operate on different principles: (1) Thermocouples generate voltage from temperature differences between two dissimilar metals, (2) RTDs change resistance proportionally to temperature using metallic elements, and (3) Thermistors have resistance inversely proportional to temperature using metal oxides. Additional components are often needed for integration including protective tubes, connecting hardware, and instrumentation for recording, controlling and regulating temperature. All of CONVECTRONICS' temperature sensors are designed to standards with accuracy traceable to NIST.

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111 views1 page

Sen1 PDF

Thermocouples, RTDs, and thermistors are common temperature sensors that operate on different principles: (1) Thermocouples generate voltage from temperature differences between two dissimilar metals, (2) RTDs change resistance proportionally to temperature using metallic elements, and (3) Thermistors have resistance inversely proportional to temperature using metal oxides. Additional components are often needed for integration including protective tubes, connecting hardware, and instrumentation for recording, controlling and regulating temperature. All of CONVECTRONICS' temperature sensors are designed to standards with accuracy traceable to NIST.

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cesarinigillas
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Temperature Sensors:

General Operating Principles

Thermocouples
Thermocouples are the most common, convenient and materials. Heating the hot junction in the working
versatile devices used to measure temperature. They environment produces a temperature gradient which
convert units of heat into useable engineering units generates an EMF. The EMF appears across the free
that serve as input signals into process controllers and ends of the thermocouple wires, where it is measured
recorders. and converted into units of heat calibration. Through
selection of appropriate thermocouple wires and sheath
A Thermocouple consists of a welded hot junction components, thermocouples are suitable to be used in
between two dissimilar metals - usually wires - and a temperature ranges from -450 F (-184 C) to 4200 F
reference junction at the opposite ends of the parent (2315 C).

Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs)


The Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) accurately which is proportional to resistance, is then measured and
senses heat with an excellent degree of repeatability and converted to units of heat calibration. The RTD element
interchangeability of elements. The RTD is composed of is manufactured by winding a wire (wire wound elements)
certain metallic elements whose change in resistance is or plating a film (thin film elements) on a ceramic or
a function of temperature. In operation, a small excitation glass core and hermetically sealing the element within a
current is passed across the element and the voltage, ceramic or glass capsule.

Thermistors
A Thermistor is an economical means of precisely Since thermistors usually have a large base resistance
sensing heat over a limited range of temperatures. A and a large change in resistance per unit of temperature
thermistor is a metal oxide whose change in resistance change, lead wire length does not generally need to be
is an inverse function of the change in temperature. compensated for. Thermistors can operate across a
An excitation current is passed across the sensor and temperature range of -40 F (-40 C) to 300 F (150 C)
the voltage, which is proportional to the resistance, is by selecting the proper sensor and protective materials.
measured and converted to units of heat calibration.

Additional Requirements
Other components usually essential in integrating the (3) Leadwire of the correct material and insulation
principles of Thermocouples, RTDs, and Thermistor to connect the temperature sensor and the process
sensor into a functioning system may include: (1) A instrumentation, and (4) Recording or controlling
protection tube or sheath of a material suitable to protect instrumentation and control devices to provide a
the sensing element from the environment surrounding continuous temperature history of the system and to
the point of measurement, (2) A connecting head and provide constant or programmed temperature regulation.
terminal block, or possibly a temperature transmitter,

All CONVECTRONICS temperature sensor products are designed and manufactured to


applicable ISA standards with accuracy traceable to the National Institue of Standards and
Technology (NIST).

American National Standard Institute (ANSI) nomenclature is used by CONVECTRONICS.


Standard or Special Limits of Error contained in ANSI Circular MC 96.1 1982 can be specified by
the customer when ordering CONVECTRONICS Thermocouple products.

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