Topic - Temperature Sensor
Topic - Temperature Sensor
Topic - Temperature Sensor
Sensor
* Thermistors can be very small in size. They consist of a sensing element which can be
either glass or epoxy coated and have 2 wires so they can be connected to an electric
circuit. They measure temperature by measuring the change in resistance of the
electric current. Thermistors are available as either NTC or PTC and are often low cost.
* Thermocouples use two conductors, made up of different metals that are joined at the
end to form a junction. When this junction is subjected to heat, a voltage is produced
that is directly proportional to the temperature input. They are highly versatile as
different metal combinations allow for different measurement ranges; however, they
lack the fine accuracy of NTC’s and RTD’s making them the least precise out of the
three types
THERMISTOR
A thermistor is a type of thermal resistor whose electrical resistance increase or
decrease with change in temperature.
Thus, the thermistors are thermally sensitive resistance whose resistance changes
with change in the thermistor body temperature.
THERMISTOR SYMBOL-
The thermistor is a passive circuit element.
The passive component does not require any external power supply for its operation.
The thermistor is very sturdy and cheap and can be used to measure the temperature
accurately.
The thermistor does not function reliably in extremely hot or cold temperature.
Therefore, thermistors are most suitable for the applications where precision
temperature measurement is required.
Working Principle of Thermistors
The thermistor works on the simple principle of change in
resistance due to a change in temperature. When the
ambient temperature changes the thermistor starts self-
heating its elements. its resistance value is changed with
respect to this change in temperature. This change
depends on the type of thermistor used.
THERMOCOUPLE
The thermocouple can be defined as a kind of temperature sensor
that is used to measure the temperature at one specific point in the
form of the EMF or an electric current. This sensor comprises two
dissimilar metal wires that are connected together at one junction.
The temperature can be measured at this junction, and the change in
temperature of the metal wire stimulates the voltages.
ThermocoupleThe amount of EMF generated in the device is very
minute (millivolts), so very sensitive devices must be utilized for
calculating the e.m.f produced in the circuit.
The common devices used to calculate the e.m.f are voltage
balancing potentiometer and the ordinary galvanometer. From these
two, a balancing potentiometer is utilized physically or mechanically.
Thermocouple Working Principle