TEMPERATURE SENSORS

Week 4
25 February 2020
2 period (2 hrs)

53
 TEMPERATURE SENSORS

The objective of this section stresses the

understanding required for the application

of measurement and instrumentation

temperature sensors.

54
 TEMPERATURE SENSORS

Learning outcomes
After studying this section and working
through the examples and problems you will
be able to:

 Design the application of temperature

sensor to specific problem in temperature
measurement.
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 TEMPERATURE SENSORS
The examples of properties that change
when the temperature changes.
 The expansion or contraction of gases,
solids and liquids,
 The change in electrical resistance of
conductors and semiconductors,
 Thermoelectric e.m.f.s,
 The change in the current across the
junction of semiconductor diodes and
transistors.
All the properties above can be used as
56
basis of temperature sensors.
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD
The resistance of most metals increases in
a reasonably linear way with temperature
and can be represented by the equation:

𝑹𝑻 = 𝑹𝟎 𝟏 + 𝜶 𝑻 − 𝑻𝟎

Where RT is the resistance at a temperature

T°C, R0 is the resistance at given
temperature, T0 and  is the temperature
coefficient of resistance. 57
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD
If T0=0, 𝑹𝑻 = 𝑹𝟎 𝟏 + 𝜶𝑻
∆𝑹 = 𝑹𝑻 − 𝑹𝟎 = 𝜶𝑹𝟎 𝑻

𝑹𝑻 − 𝑹𝟎
𝜶=
𝑹𝟎 𝑻
The temperature coefficient of resistance, α
is normally defined as the average
resistance change per ºC over the range 0 ºC
to 100 ºC divided by R at 0 ºC. 58
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD

Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs)

are simple resistive elements in the form

of coils of metal wire, e.g. platinum, nickel

or copper alloys.

59
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD
The resistance of most metals increases in
a reasonably linear way with temperature.
Resistance

𝑹𝒕 = 𝑹𝟎 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕
Rt

R
𝑹𝒕 = 𝜶𝑹𝟎 𝒕 + 𝑹𝟎
0

𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒄
0 t
Temperature ºC

60
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD

𝑹𝒕 = 𝑹𝟎 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕

𝑹𝒕𝟏 = 𝑹𝟎 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕𝟏

𝑹𝒕𝟐 = 𝑹𝟎 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕𝟐

𝑹𝒕𝟏 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕𝟏
=
𝑹𝒕𝟐 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕𝟐
61
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD

(a) A resistance of a Platinum resistance

sensor of 100 Ω at 0°C was measured to
be 118.6 Ω. This sensor has  value of
0.00385 /°C. What is the corresponding
temperature?
𝑹𝒕 = 𝑹𝟎 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕

𝑹𝒕 − 𝑹𝟎
𝐭=
𝜶𝑹𝟎
62
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD
(b) A Platinum resistance thermometer has
a resistance of 100 Ω at 0°C and the
value of a is 0.00385 /°C. In operation
the resistance is 105 Ω. Calculate the
temperature.
𝑹𝒕 = 𝑹𝟎 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕

𝑹𝒕 − 𝑹𝟎
𝐭=
𝜶𝑹𝟎
63
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD

(C) An RTD has  = 0.004 /°C. If resistance at

20°C is 106 Ω, determine the resistance at
25°C.

(D) A copper cable has a resistance of 30 Ω at

50°C. Determine the resistance of the
cable at 10°C. where  = 0.0043 /°C.

𝑹𝒕𝟏 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕𝟏
=
𝑹𝒕𝟐 𝟏 + 𝜶𝒕𝟐
64
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD

1
vB  VS
2
R
vD  VS
2R  R
V0  vB  vD
1 R   R   R 
V0    VS   VS   VS
 2 2 R  R   22 R  R   4 R  2R 
 Rt   t 
R  Rt  V0   VS   VS
 4 R  2Rt   4  2t  65
 EXAMPLE
An unbalanced Wheatstone bridge circuit is
constructed. Calculate the output voltage across
points C and D and the value of R4 required to
balance the bridge circuit.

66
 THERMISTORS (NTC)
Thermistors are semiconductor temperature
sensors made from mixtures of metal
oxides, such as those of chromium, cobalt,
iron, manganese and nickel.

The resistance of Thermistors decreases

in a very non-linear manner with an
increase in temperature.

67
NTC THERMISTORS CHARACTERISTIC

Resistance

0 Temperature ºC
68
 THERMISTORS(NTC)
The resistance of Thermistors decreases in
a very non-linear manner with an increase
in temperature described by the exponential
equation:  TO T 
  

Where: RT  RO e
 TOT 

RT = the resistance at a given temperature, T.

RO = the resistance at a reference temperature.
TO = the reference temperature in Kelvin (K),
typically 298 K, which is 25°C.
T = temperature in K, (T = °C + 273).
β = a constant (K) provided by the manufacturer.
69
 THERMISTORS(NTC)

1
vB  VS
2
R
vD  VS
2R  R
V0  vD  vB
 R 1  R   R 
V0    VS   VS   VS
 2 R  R 2   22 R  R   4 R  2R 

70
 EXAMPLE
A Thermistor is connected in a Wheatstone bridge to
monitor a room temperature. The bridge is balanced
when the resistance of the bridge arms is equal at
room temperature of 25°C. The bridge supply
voltage is 5 V. The Thermistor in this application has
1000 Ω at 25°C and a β of 3730 kelvin. Remember
the temperatures in the Thermistor resistance
equation are in kelvin. (a) With the aid of bridge
circuit, calculate the output voltage of the bridge
when the temperature of the room is 35°C.
(b) With the aid of bridge circuit, calculate the
output voltage of the bridge when the temperature of
the room is -15°C. 71
 Resistance
(a) 𝑽𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝑽𝑩 − 𝑽𝑨

𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑽𝑩 = 𝟓 × = 𝟐. 𝟓 𝑽
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 (a)

𝑹𝑻𝑯 𝟓𝑹𝑻𝑯
𝑽𝑨 = 𝟓 × =
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝑹𝑻𝑯 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝑹𝑻𝑯 0 Temperature ºC
𝑻 −𝑻
𝜷 𝑻𝟎 𝑻
𝑹𝑻𝑯 = 𝑹𝟎 𝒆 𝟎

𝑻𝟎 = 𝟐𝟓℃ + 𝟐𝟕𝟑 = 𝟐𝟗𝟖 𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒊𝒏

𝑻 = 𝟑𝟓℃ + 𝟐𝟕𝟑 = 𝟑𝟎𝟖 𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒊𝒏
𝟐𝟗𝟖−𝟑𝟎𝟖
𝟑𝟕𝟑𝟎 𝟐𝟗𝟖×𝟑𝟎𝟖
𝑹𝑻𝑯 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒆

𝑹𝑻𝑯 = 𝟔𝟔𝟔 𝜴

𝟓 × 𝟔𝟔𝟔
𝑽𝑨 = =𝟐𝑽
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝟔𝟔𝟔
𝑽𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝟐. 𝟓 − 𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝑽
72
 Resistance
(b) 𝑽𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝑽𝑩 − 𝑽𝑨

𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑽𝑩 = 𝟓 × = 𝟐. 𝟓 𝑽
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
(a)
𝑹𝑻𝑯 𝟓𝑹𝑻𝑯
𝑽𝑨 = 𝟓 × = (
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝑹𝑻𝑯 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝑹𝑻𝑯
0 Temperature ºC
𝑻 −𝑻
𝜷 𝑻𝟎 𝑻
𝑹𝑻𝑯 = 𝑹𝟎 𝒆 𝟎

𝑻𝟎 = 𝟐𝟓℃ + 𝟐𝟕𝟑 = 𝟐𝟗𝟖 𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒊𝒏

𝑻 = −𝟏𝟓℃ + 𝟐𝟕𝟑 = 𝟐𝟓𝟖 𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒊𝒏
𝟐𝟗𝟖−𝟐𝟓𝟖
𝟑𝟕𝟑𝟎
𝑹𝑻𝑯 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒆 𝟐𝟗𝟖×𝟐𝟓𝟖

𝑹𝑻𝑯 = 𝟔𝟗𝟔𝟑 𝜴

𝟓 × 𝟔𝟗𝟔𝟑
𝑽𝑨 = = 𝟒. 𝟑𝟕 𝑽
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 + 𝟔𝟗𝟔𝟑
𝑽𝒐𝒖𝒕 = 𝟐. 𝟓 − 𝟒. 𝟑𝟕 = −𝟏. 𝟖𝟕 𝑽
73
 DISSIPATION CONSTANT

Since the RTD and Thermistor are

resistances, there is 𝑰𝟐 𝑹 power dissipated
by the device itself that causes a slight
heating effect, a self-heating.

This may also cause an erroneous reading

or even upset the environment in delicate
measurement conditions. Thus, the
current through the RTD and Thermistor
must be kept sufficiently low and constant
to avoid self-heating. 74
 DISSIPATION CONSTANT

Typically, a dissipation constant is provided

in RTD and Thermistor specifications. This

number relates the power required to raise

the RTD or Thermistor temperature by one

degree of temperature.
75
 DISSIPATION CONSTANT

Thus, a 25 mW/°C dissipation constant

shows that if 𝑰𝟐 𝑹 power losses in the RTD
equal 25 mW, the RTD will be heated by 1ºC.

Thus, a 5 mW/°C dissipation constant

shows that if 𝑰𝟐 𝑹 power losses in the
Thermistor equal 5 mW, the Thermistor will
be heated by 1ºC..

76
 DISSIPATION CONSTANT
The self-heating temperature rise can be
found from the power dissipated by the
RTD and Thermistor, and the dissipation
𝑷
constant from; ∆𝑻 =
𝑷𝑫

Where ∆𝑻 = temperature rise because of

self-heating in °C,
P = power dissipated in the RTD
from the circuit in W,
PD = dissipation constant of the
RTD in W/°C. 77
 DISSIPATION CONSTANT

Example 7, page 202 to 203

Example 8, page 206 to 207

78
 HOME WORK
A Thermistor is connected in a Wheatstone bridge
to monitor a room temperature. The bridge is
balanced when the resistance of the bridge arms is
equal at room temperature of 25°C. The bridge
supply voltage is 5 V. The Thermistor in this
application has 1000 Ω at 25°C and a β of 3730
kelvin. Remember the temperatures in the
Thermistor resistance equation are in kelvin. With
the aid of bridge circuit, calculate the room
temperature when the output voltage of the bridge
is -534 mV.
79
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD
A platinum resistance coil is to be used as a
temperature sensor and has a resistance at 0°C of
100 Ω. It forms one arm of a Wheatstone bridge
with the bridge being balanced at this temperature
and each of the other arms also being 100 Ω. If
the temperature coefficient of resistance of
platinum is 0.0039 /°C, what will be the output
voltage from the bridge per degree change in
temperature if the supply voltage is 6.0 V?
Hint: If there is change of temperature
 t 
of 1°C the temperature of the V0   VS
 4  2t 
RTD may either be +1°C or -1°C.
80
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR, RTD
An RTD has  = 0.004 /°C. The RTD is used in a
quarter bridge circuit with R1=R2=R4=100Ω and the
supply voltage is 10 V. If R20 = 106 Ω (resistance
at 20°C), what will be the output voltage from
the bridge per degree change in temperature
around 20°C.
Hint: If there is change of temperature of 1°C the
temperature of the RTD may either be 21°C or 19°C.

 t 
V0   VS
 4  2t 
81
 SUMMARY
The measurement and control of
temperature plays an important role in
instrumentation and control industry.
The class of sensors that performs this
measurement consists primarily of three
types: the resistance-temperature detector
(RTD), the thermistor, and the
thermocouple.
In this Section, the basic operating
principles and application information
have been provided for these sensors. 82
 SUMMARY

The RTD is a sensor that depends on the

increase in metallic resistance with
temperature. This increase is very nearly
linear, and analytical approximations are
used to express the resistance versus
temperature as either a linear equation or a
quadratic relationship.
83
 SUMMARY
The thermistor is based on the decrease of
semiconductor resistance with temperature.
This device has a highly nonlinear
resistance versus temperature curve and is
not typically used with any analytical
approximations. Such transducers can
exhibit a very large change in resistance
with temperature, and hence make very
sensitive temperature-change detectors.
Many circuit configurations are used,
including bridges and operational
amplifiers. 84