Temperature sensors

by
Dr. Sotiris Omirou

AMEM 211

Temperature sensors using

electrical effects

a. Resistive Thermometers Detectors or RTD

b. Thermistors

c. Thermocouple

-Very convenient methods because they furnish a

signal that is easily detected, amplified, or used
for control purposes.
- Quite accurate methods

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 Resistive Thermometers Detectors - RTD

How it works:

Utilizes the fact that resistance of
a metal changes with
temperature. Thus the
temperature is indicated through
the measurement of the change
in resistance of the element

Make up:

Traditionally made up of
platinum, nickel, tungsten or
copper wound around an
insulator.

Temperature range: Thin Film RTD

From about -196°
196°C to 482°
482°C.

Resistive Thermometers Detectors - RTD

Metals such as

- Platinum
- Copper
- Tungsten
- Nichel

present small increases in resistance as

the temperature rises. They have positive
temperature coefficient of resistance

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Resistive Thermometers Detectors - RTD

typical devices use platinum wire (such a device is

called a platinum resistance thermometers or
PRT)
PRT)

A typical PRT element

RTD - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

Stable
Expensive

Very accurate
Current source

Change in resistance is required
linear
Small change in
resistance

Self heating

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Resistive Thermometers Detectors - RTD

Rt = R0 [ 1 + α (θt – θ0) ]

where,

α = temperature coefficient of resistance 0C-1

R0 = resistance in Ω at the reference

temperature θ0 = 00 C

Exercise 13

If the resistance of a platinum resistance

thermometer is 100 Ω at 00 C,

Calculate:
- the resistance at 600 C if α=0.00392 0C -1

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 Exercise 13

Solution:

Rt = R0 [ 1 + α (θt – θ0) ]

= 100 Ω x [1 + 0.00392 x 60]

= 123.5 Ω

EXERCISE 14

Consider a platinum resistance thermometer connected as one

arm of the wheatstone bridge, as shown in the figure.
The fixed resistances in the circuit are 200 Ω each, and the input
voltage Vi is 10 volts. At 0 0C the circuit is balanced and at this
temperature the thermometer has a resistance of 200 Ω.

R1 Platinum resistance
If the temperature coefficient of thermometer R 2= 200 Ω
resistance of platinum α is 0.004 0C –1,
determine the change in output voltage
for a 1 0C change in temperature
Vi

R 3 = 200Ω R 4 = 200 Ω

V0 = 10 v

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 EXERCISE 14

1. Data:

Vi = 10 Volts

R0 = 200 Ω

α = 0.004 0C-1

t = 1 0C

2. Asked:

Change in output voltage V0

3. Solution: EXERCISE 14

Rt = R0(1 + α.t)
Rt = 200 x [1 + (0.004 x 1)] = 200 x 1.004
Rt = 200.8 Ω

∆R = Rt – R0 = 0.8 Ω

 ∆R 
∆V0 = Vi   =
 R1 + R2 

 0.8 
= 10  = 10x 0.002 = 0.02V
 200 + 200 
Τhus, for each degree change in temperature, there is a
20mV change in the output voltage

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 Thermistors

How it works:

Like the RTD a
thermistor uses the fact
that resistance of a
metal changes with
temperature.

Make up:

Generally made up of
semiconductor materials

Temperature Range:

About -45°
45°C - 150°
150°C Thermistor

Thermistors
Use oxides of

- Manganese
- Cobalt
- Chromium
- Nichel

present large changes in resistance with

temperature variation. They have negative
temperature coefficient of resistance

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Thermistors

sensitive but highly non-
non-linear

A typical disc thermistor A threaded thermistor

Thermistor
Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

Very sensitive (has the
Output is a non-
non-linear
largest output change function
from input
Limited temperature
temperature) range.

Quick response
Require a current

More accurate than source
RTD
Self heating

Fragile

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 Thermocouples

How it works:

Made up of two
different metals joined
at one end to produce a
small voltage at a given
temperature.

Make up:

Made up of two
different metals.
Ex: A type J is made up
of Iron and Constantan.

Temperature Range

Type J: -40°
40°C to 750°
750°C
A few Thermocouples

Thermocouples
Seebeck Effect
When a pair of dissimilar metals are joined at one end, and
there is a temperature difference between the joined ends
and the open ends, thermal emf is generated, which can be
measured in the open ends. As T1 increases, so does VOUT

This forms the basis of thermocouples.

The junction is placed in the process, the other end is the

reference junction.

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 Thermocouple
Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

Self Powered (does
Extremely Low Voltage
not require a current output (mV)
or voltage source)
Not very stable

Rugged

Inexpensive

Simple

More about Thermocouples

Thermocouples are among the easiest temperature

sensors to use and obtain and are widely used in
science and industry.

Thermocouples are the most common temperature

sensing device. They can be made in very tough
designs, they are very simple in operation and
measure temperature at a point. Over different
types they cover from -250C to +2500C.

Accurate temperature measurements can be made

with thermocouples sensors at low cost with shop-
shop-
built probes and ordinary low-
low-level voltmeters.

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 More about Thermocouples
Construction

A thermocouple construction consist of two

conductors, welded together at the measuring
point and insulated from each other long the length.
It will usually have an outer protection sheath.

More about Thermocouples

Thermocouple Materials

The three most common thermocouple materials for

moderate temperatures are Iron-
Iron-Constantan (Type J),
Copper-
Copper-Constantan (Type T), and Chromel-
Chromel-Alumel (Type K).

1) The first element of the pair is the positive element.

2) The negative wire is color coded red.

All three types (J, K, and T) are available as insulated

duplexed pairs from 0.03 mm diameter on up. For accuracy,
and minimum system disturbance, the smaller the wire the
better, but wire smaller than 0.1 mm diameter is very
fragile.

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Standard Thermocouple Types
Iron- Constantan:
Iron-Constantan:
Type J
color coded white and red
generates about 50 µV/°
V/°C
−40 to +750 °C

Chromel Alumel:
Alumel:
Type K
color coded yellow and red
generates about 40 µV/°
V/°C
−200 °C to +1350 °C

Copper-
Copper-Constantan:
Type T
color coded blue and red
generates about 40 µV/°
V/°C
−200 to 350 °C

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