Uses

Temperature Sensor Uses, Measurements or

Applications
MEASUREMENTS ARE WHERE TEMPERATURE SENSORS MEET THE “REAL
WORLD”! WHERE THE RESULTS PROVE THAT ONE UNDERSTANDS THEIR
PROPERTIES AND HAS SELECTED A SENSOR WELL ENOUGH TO DO THE JOB
WITHIN THE DESIRED MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY!

Many people have trod these paths before you and there is a wealth of information on
successful use of temperature sensors under a great many different conditions and
contexts.

Cataloging proven uses of temperature sensors or temperature measurements (called

applications by most vendors) can help in two ways.

First, it saves one from “reinventing the wheel” all over again.

Second, it can make a new measurement problem easier to solve if it is analogous to a

proven one, with perhaps only a change to one or two of the influencing conditions.

This section of the site is where the real fun begins for anyone trying to make a serious
temperature or dewpoint measurement. Our object is to catalog web sources of
information of such measurement successes.

Uses
The use of a structured approach to measurements helps even more but will have to wait
until a little later. There are courses which teach such things, for instance, ISA Training,
and others, but not for free.

The Temperature & Moisture Sensor Directories website, www.TempSensor.net has a

feature enabling all interested individuals to enter reviews of products and services as
well as successes in measurements.

We have been gathering this information over time and provide it, with appropriate
acknowledgments, for all to access freely, in the spirit of Internet sharing.

In addition to links to applications and technology references, the directories website also
has a self-service facility for manufacturers to add their own corporate listing as well as
details of new product and personnel news.
User inputs are reviewed for appropriateness and over zealousness.

Index to Temperature Sensor Measurements

1. CRYOGENICS AND CRYOGENIC TEMPERATURE SENSORS USES

2. DEWPOINT TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY IN GASES
3. ENVIRONMENT TEMPERATURES & WEATHER
Environment Temperature is another significant application of temperature
sensors. The page also features links on Weather.
4. Food Temperatures, Food Temperature Sensors and Food Safety
A page inspired by the extensive use of a wide range of different types of
temperature sensors in the measurement of food temperature in many aspects of
cooking, not the least of which is in assuring that various food types are cooked
sufficiently to kill any dangerous organisms that may be in them.
5. HVAC

The use of temperature and humidity sensors and other measurement devices to
control the environment in which people live and work and in which, too, some
products are processed. This is a widespread activity involving huge companies as
well as small ones in providing equipment, training, design and services to many
individual and corporate customers.

Uses
There are many portal sites on the Web leading to more details, but our page attempts an
overview of this important use of temperature and humidity sensors.

STEEL INDUSTRY TEMPERATURE SENSOR MEASUREMENTS

 SLAG DETECTION BY IR THERMOGRAPHY
A unique application pioneered in the Steel Industries of the world. Includes access to
two full-text technical papers and a PPT slide presentation.
 INFRARED RADIATION THERMOMETER MEASUREMENTS AND USES
A reasonably mature area of this site with links to vendor pages that provide applications
information, some in great depth. It is planned to expand this section greatly in the near
future with actual full-text papers, like some of the steel mill applications (above), since
the primary author of the site has much experience in the field.
 MEDICAL USES OF TEMPERATURE SENSORS
 THERMOCOUPLE MEASUREMENTS
 THERMOGRAPHY APPLICATIONS
Recently enhanced with major page revisions, three new related pages and an expanded
vendors page.
 RTD MEASUREMENTS (Under Construction)
 THERMISTOR MEASUREMENTS (Under Construction)
 LIQUID IN GLASS THERMOMETER MEASUREMENTS (Under Construction)
 FIBEROPTIC THERMOMETER USES (Under Construction)
 OTHER TEMPERATURE SENSOR APPLICATIONS (Under Construction)
 TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS: REFERENCE BOOKS AND PAPERS
This link takes you to our reference list of books and published works that contain among
them a wealth of information on how temperature sensors are used, the recommended
limits of use for each type and much more.

As stated elsewhere in this web site (or at least implied), there is little excuse for not
reading the literature! Most everything you want to do has been done before and the
details are written down.

So open your eyes, swallow a bit of your ego and read!

Good luck and best wishes. If you have some interesting success, let us know and we’ll
help you share that with others who visit these pages.

That’s an Internet tradition and the way we both grow.

Thanks for visiting.

The Advantages of RTDs

The advantages of RTDs include stable output for long period of time, ease of recalibration and
accurate readings over relatively narrow temperature spans. Their disadvantages, compared to the
thermocouples, are: smaller overall temperature range, higher initial cost and less rugged in high
vibration lenvironments.

They are active devices requiring an electrical current to produce a voltage drop across the sensor
that can be then measured by a calibrated read-out device.

RTD Error Sources

The lead wires used to connect the RTD to a readout can contribute to their measurement error,
especially when there are long lead lengths involved, as often happens in remote temperature
measurement locations. Those calculations are straight forward and there exist 3-wire and 4-wire
designs to help minimize or limit such errors, when needed.

Often the lead error can be minimized through use of a temperature transmitter mounted close to
the RTD. Transmitters convert the resistance measurement to an analog current or serial digital
signal that can be sent long distances by wire or rf to a data aquisition or control system and/or
indicator.

RTDs, as mentioned above, work in a relatively small temperature domain, compared to

thermocouples, typically from about -200 °C to a practical maximum of about 650 to 700 °C. Some
makers claim wider ranges and some construction designs are limited to only a small portion of the
usual range.
Insulation resistance is always a function of temperature and at relatively high temperature the
shunt resistance of the insulator introduces errors into measurement. Again, error estimates are
straight forward, provided one has a good estimate of the thermal properties of the insulator.

Insulator material such as powdered magnesia (MgO), alumina (Al2O3) and similar coumpounds are
carefully dried and sealed when encapsulated in probes along with an RTD element.

ASTM has standards related to insulation resistance testing to help determine the performance of
such sealed probes, specifically E 1652-00.

Home > publications > Why did my temperature sensor fail calibration?

Why did my temperature

sensor fail calibration?
By Steve Iman

Temperature is the most commonly measured parameter in the world. Temperature

sensors are used in instruments designed for measuring temperature. To be accurate, all
temperature sensors must be calibrated against a known standard. Only short-term
stability is checked during calibration. Long term stability should be monitored and
determined by the user.

Occasionally, a temperature sensor might fail during calibration. This can happen even
though the temperature sensor seemed to be functioning properly prior to sending it in for
calibration. This article gives some basic reasons for temperature sensor failures and
offers some suggestions to ensure their accuracy and maximize their useable life. In
addition, some background knowledge is given on each temperature sensor type,
including basic characteristics and their limitations.

Self-heating in thermistors and PRTs

When thermistors and PRTs are calibrated, a nominal excitation current is applied. The
amount of current that’s required is generally stated on the calibration report or
manufacturer’s specifications.

We learn from Ohms Law that when a current flows through a resistor, power is
dissipated (I2R). This power causes the sensor to heat; which is known as “self-heating.”
When the temperature sensor is calibrated, its self-heating has been accounted for.

When using either sensor type, be sure to set the readout for the proper excitation current.
Too little or too much current will cause measurement errors. These sensors can even be
damaged if too much current is applied.
Some readouts will automatically choose the proper current when either “thermistor” or
“PRT” is selected. Others may need to be set manually. The settings are generally in the
probe setup menu. If you select the current manually, always refer to the thermometer’s
specifications or calibration report for the proper current.

Low insulation resistance and leakage currents

Low insulation resistance is sometimes referred to as shunt resistance, because current is

allowed to flow outside of the measurement circuit. Electrically, it is like putting another
resistance in parallel with the sensor. When low insulation resistance occurs, too often the
transition junction temperature has become too hot. (The hub should not be so hot that it
is painful to touch.)

Additionally, low insulation resistance may result if the sheath has been bent, or if the
seal has been compromised, allowing moisture to reach the sensor and lead wires. This
problem usually can be avoided through proper use and handling.

If the temperature sensor cable is pulled, overworked or stressed, the lead wires may break,
causing an open or an intermittent connection. On occasion, open or intermittent sensor or sensor
lead wires may occur. Some intermittent events are not noticeable until the temperature sensor is
heated, causing the wire to expand and separate.

Even if great care has been taken to prevent broken or intermittent connections, they still may
occur given enough time and use. The repeated expansion and contraction of the lead and sensor
wires may eventually take its toll, causing the wire to break.

Other ways to help prevent failure:

• Do not drop, bump, or vibrate a PRT.

• Never bend a sheath that isn’t designed to be bent. Even slight bends may adversely affect
the calibration or temperature sensor life.
• Never submerge the transition junction into a liquid.
• Never exceed the temperature specification of the temperature sensor.
• Do not soak temperature sensors for long periods of time, particularly at temperatures
where oxidation is likely to occur.
• Do not pull or overly strain the temperature sensor cable.
• If a temperature sensor requires annealing, use recommended temperatures and
techniques. Afterwards, always verify the temperature sensors accuracy by comparing it
against a primary standard.
• Periodically compare the temperature sensor’s accuracy to a primary standard, such as a
water-triple-point cell or a calibrated SPRT (standard platinum resistance thermometer).