TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT

RTD & Thermisters

TOPIC 5
RTD (Resistance Temp Detector)
 The RTD incorporates pure metals
 Electrical Resistance-Temperature Curves or certain alloys that
increase in resistance as temperature increases and, conversely,
decrease in resistance as temperature decreases. RTDs act somewhat
like an electrical transducer, converting changes in temperature to
voltage signals by the measurement of resistance.
 The metals that are best suited for use are pure, of uniform quality,
stable within a given range of temperature, and able to give
reproducible resistance-temperature readings.
 RTD elements are normally constructed of platinum, copper, or nickel.
These metals are best suited for RTD applications because of their
linear resistance-temperature characteristics (as shown in Figure 1),
their high coefficient of resistance, and their ability to withstand
repeated temperature cycles.
Electrical Resistance-Temperature Curves
RTD Construction
 RTD elements are usually long, spring-like wires surrounded
by an insulator and enclosed in a sheath of metal.
 This particular design has a platinum element that is
surrounded by a porcelain insulator. The insulator prevents a
short circuit between the wire and the metal sheath.
 The change in temperature will cause the platinum wire to
heat or cool, resulting in a proportional change in resistance.
 This change in resistance is then measured by a precision
resistance measuring device that is calibrated to give the
proper temperature reading. This device is normally a bridge
circuit, which will be covered in detail later
RTD Construction
RTD (Resistance Temp Detector)
Objective:
 Given a simplified schematic diagram of a basic bridge circuit, STATE the
purpose of the following components:
a. R1 and R2
b. Rx
c. Adjustable resistor
d. Sensitive ammeter
 DESCRIBE the bridge circuit conditions that create a balanced bridge.
 Given a block diagram of a basic temperature instrument detection and
control system, STATE the purpose of the following blocks:
a. RTD
b. Bridge circuit
c. DC-AC converter
d. Amplifier
e. Balancing motor/mechanical linkage
Bridge Circuit Construction
 Basic bridge circuit which consists of three known
resistances, R1, R2, and R3(variable), an unknown
variable resistor RX (RTD), a source of voltage, and a
sensitive ammeter
Bridge Circuit Construction
Bridge Circuit Operation
 The bridge operates by placing Rx in the circuit, as shown in Figure, and
then adjusting R3 so that all current flows through the arms of the bridge
circuit.
 When this condition exists, there is no current flow through the ammeter,
and the bridge is said to be balanced. When the bridge is balanced, the
currents through each of the arms are exactly proportional. They are
equal if R1= R2. Most of the time the bridge is constructed so that R1 =
R2.
 When this is the case, and the bridge is balanced, then the resistance of
Rx is the same as R3, or Rx = R3. When balance exists, R3 will be equal
to the unknown resistance, even if the voltage source is unstable or is not
accurately known.
 A typical Wheatstone bridge has several dials used to vary the resistance.
Once the bridge is balanced, the dials can be read to find the value of R3.
Temperature Detection Circuit
Temperature Detection Circuit
 The block consists of a temperature detector (RTD) that measures the
temperature. The detector is felt as resistance to the bridge network.
The bridge network converts this resistance to a DC voltage signal.
 An electronic instrument has been developed in which the DC
voltage of the potentiometer, or the bridge, is converted to an AC
voltage. The AC voltage is then amplified to a higher (usable)
voltage that is used to drive a bi-directional motor. The bi-directional
motor positions the slider on the slide wire to balance the circuit
resistance.
 If the RTD becomes open in either the unbalanced and balanced
bridge circuits, the resistance will be infinite, and the meter will
indicate a very high temperature. If it becomes shorted, resistance
will be zero, and the meter will indicate a very low temperature.
Thermister
 Thermally sensitive resistors
 They are ceramic-like semi-conductor devices.
 Resistance decreases rapidly with decreasing temperature
Thermister
 A semiconductor devices which behave as thermal
resistors having a high negative temperature coeeficient of
resistance.
 Made of ceramics, mixtures of oxides of iron, manganese,
nickel, cobalt and copper in the form of beads, discs, rod
or washer type.
Thermister resistance-Temperature Curves
Benefit and Weaknesses of Thermisters
 Thermisters are generally used in applications where high
sensitivity, ruggedness, or fast response times are
necessary.
 High resistance of thermisters eliminates the lead length
compensation issues found in RTD.
 However, thermisters are not directly interchangeable, due
to variation in β and sensitivity to temperature change.