Figure 2. Resistance-Temperature Curve for a 100 Platinum RTD, a = 0.

00385

Connection diagram for 3 wire RTD to NI 9219 Module

Aim:
To measure the temperature using RTD and log the data using NI LabVIEW.
Apparatus required:
1. RTD
2. NI LabVIEW
3. NI 9217
4. NI 9171
Theory
A platinum resistance temperature detector (RTD) is a device with a typical
resistance of 100 at 0 C. It consists of a thin film of platinum on a plastic film. Its
resistance varies with temperature and it can typically measure temperatures up to 850
C. Passing current through an RTD generates a voltage across the RTD. By measuring
this voltage, you can determine its resistance and, thus, its temperature. The relationship
between resistance and temperature is relatively linear.
RTDs operate on the principle of changes in electrical resistance of pure metals
and are characterized by a linear positive change in resistance with temperature. Typical
elements used for RTDs include nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu), but platinum (Pt) is by far
the most common because of its wide temperature range, accuracy, and stability.
RTDs are constructed using one of two different manufacturing configurations.
Wire-wound RTDs are created by winding a thin wire into a coil. A more common
configuration is the thin-film element, which consists of a very thin layer of metal laid
out on a plastic or ceramic substrate. Thin-film elements are cheaper and more widely
available because they can achieve higher nominal resistances with less platinum. To
protect the RTD, a metal sheath encloses the RTD element and the lead wires connected
to it.Popular because of their stability, RTDs exhibit the most linear signal with respect to
temperature of any electronic temperature sensor. However, they are generally more
expensive than alternatives because of the careful construction and use of platinum.
RTDs are also characterized by a slow response time and low sensitivity, and, because
they require current excitation, they can be prone to self-heating. RTDs are commonly
categorized by their nominal resistance at 0 C. Typical nominal resistance values for
platinum thin-film RTDs include 100 and 1000 . The relationship between resistance
and temperature is nearly linear and follows this equation:
For <0 C RT = R0 [ 1 + aT + bT2 + cT3 (T - 100) ] (Equation 1)
For >0 C RT = R0 [ 1 + aT + bT2 ]
Where RT = resistance at temperature T

R0 = nominal resistance, a, b, and c = constants used to scale the RTD

Front panel for Temperature measurement using RTD

Block diagram for the Temperature measurement using RTD

The resistance/temperature curve for a 100 platinum RTD, commonly referred to as

Pt100, is shown in Figure 2.
This relationship appears relatively linear, but curve fitting is often the most accurate way
to make an accurate RTD measurement.

3 wire RTD Connection

All RTDs usually come in a red and black or red and white wire-colour combination.
Connect the red wire to the excitation terminal and connect the remaining two white
colour wires to positive and negative terminals of the measurement.

Procedure:
1. Connect the RTD to the NI 9217 and then connect the NI 9217 module to NI 9171
chassis.
2. Open the LabVIEW and configure the temperature measurement using DAQmx
express VI for RTD measurement.
3. Display the temperature in chart and digital display.
4. Run the program and measure the temperature.
5. After taking the sufficient samples, click the stop button to measurement.

Result:
The temperature was measured using RTD and NI 9217 DAQ.