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Lab-Manual Basic Instrumentation (3311701)

Experiment-15
Aim: – Study and use various temperature sensing elements.

Apparatus used:-
 RTD
 Multi-meter.
 Temperature bath

Introduction:-
 Temperature is a measure of the thermal energy in a body, which is the relative hotness
or coldness of a medium.
 It is normally measured in degrees using one of the following scales; Fahrenheit (F),
Celsius or Centigrade (C), or Kelvin (K).
 The need to convert from one temperature scale to another are as follows:
To convert °F to °C  °𝐶 = (°𝐹 − 32)5/9
To convert °C to °F  °𝐹 = (°𝐶 × 9/5) + 32
To convert °C to K  𝐾 = °𝐶 + 273.15
Temperature Measuring Devices
 There are several methods of measuring temperature that can be categorized as
follows:
1. Expansion of a material to give visual indication, pressure, or dimensional change
2. Electrical resistance change
3. Semiconductor characteristic change
4. Voltage generated by dissimilar metals
5. Radiated energy
Examples of temperature measuring devices are described below.

Thermometers
 Mercury in glass was by far the most common direct visual reading
thermometer (if not the only one).
 The device consisted of a small bore graduated glass tube with a
small bulb containing a reservoir of mercury.
 The coefficient of expansion of mercury is several times greater
than the coefficient of expansion of glass, so that as the temperature
increases the mercury rises up the tube giving a relatively low cost
and accurate method of measuring temperature.
 Mercury also has the advantage of not wetting the glass, and hence,
cleanly traverses the glass tube without breaking into globules or
coating the tube.
 The operating range of the mercury thermometer is from −30 to
800°F (−35 to 450°C) (freezing point of mercury −38°F [−38°C]).
 The toxicity of mercury, ease of breakage, the introduction of cost
effective, accurate, and easily read digital thermometers has
brought about the demise of the mercury thermometer. 15.1 THERMOMETER

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Resistance temperature detectors

FIG 15.2 RTD

 Resistance temperature detectors (RTD) are either a metal film deposited on a former
or are wire-wound resistors.
 The devices are then sealed in a glass-ceramic composite material. The electrical
resistance of pure metals is positive, increasing linearly with temperature.
 Table gives the temperature coefficient of resistance of some common metals used in
resistance thermometers.
 Temperature Coefficient of Resistance of Some Common Metals

Sr. No. Material Coeff. per degree Celsius

 These devices are accurate and can be used to measure temperatures from −300 to
1400°F (−170 to 780°C).
𝑅𝑡 = 𝑅𝑜 (1 + 𝛼𝑡)
 Example: What is the resistance of a platinum resistor at 250°C, if its resistance at
20°C is 1050 Ω?
Resistance at 250°C = 1050(1 + 0.00385 [250 − 20])
= 1050(1 + 0.8855)
= 1979.775 Ω
 Resistance devices are normally measured using a Wheatstone bridge type of system.

Thermistors
 Thermistors are a class of metal oxide (semiconductor material) which typically have a
high negative temperature coefficient of resistance.
 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
300°C.
 Devices are available with the temperature range extended to 500°C. Thermistors are
low cost and manufactured in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and values.

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Thermocouples
 Thermocouples are formed when two dissimilar metals are joined together to form a
junction.
 An electrical circuit is completed by joining the other ends of the dissimilar metals
together to form a second junction.
 A current will flow in the circuit if the two junctions are at different temperatures as
shown in Figure.

FIG 15.3 THERMOCOUPLE

 The current flowing is the result of the difference in electromotive force developed at
the two junctions due to their temperature difference.
 In practice, the voltage difference between the two junctions is measured; the
difference in the voltage is proportional to the temperature difference between the two
junctions.
 Note that the thermocouple can only be used to measure temperature differences.
 However, if one junction is held at a reference temperature the voltage between the
thermocouples gives a measurement of the temperature of the second junction. The
various types of thermocouples are designated by letters.

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Procedure:
1. Place RTD into the bath in which temperature need to be measured.
2. Vary the temperature and measure the resistance between the terminals of RTD.
3. Calculate the value of temperature by placing the measured value of resistance into
the formula.
4. Verify the calculated value of temperature with the temperature value from resistance
to temperature conversion table of the given RTD.
5. Plot the graph.
Observation table:-
Sr. Resistance of Calculated value Value of temperature Difference
No. RTD (ohms) 𝑅 from conversion table
(𝑅𝑡 − 1)
𝑡= 0 ℃ ℃
𝛼

GRAPH: RESISTANCE V/S TEMPERATURE

Conclusion:-
Hence, we have studied and used temperature sensor sensing elements.

Staff in-charge

AVPTI RAJKOT I&C DEPT.