S & A ELAB Report 2

Arno Ellendt, Britt-Lauren Oltsmann, Lasse Stiefel & Adel Hantos

Tasks
1. Measure the resistance-temperature characteristics of the given NTC, by measuring the
temperature of water which is cooled from 100°C to ambient. Compare the measured data
to the data sheet within the specified temperature range.
2. Draw the NTC resistance-temperature R(T) characteristic from the measurement data
3. Find the maximum non-linearity of the NTC in % of FS.
a. Compensate the non-linearity of the NTC by help of a parallel resistor.
b. After the compensation by a parallel resistor, draw the resistance –temperature R(T)
characteristic of the compensated system.
c. Calculate the remaining non-linearity.
4. Find the dynamic time response of the NTC (including your measurement setup!!!!, see next
point), see page 58.
5. Draw a model of the whole measurement system, see page 16 and 54
6. Describe your measurement errors. See page 35 and 65.

Table of Contents
S & A ELAB Report 2 ..........................................................................................................1
Tasks........................................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 2
Problem Statement .................................................................................................................. 2
Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 2
Components used............................................................................................................................................2

Measurements ......................................................................................................................... 3
Maximum non-linearity calculations ......................................................................................... 3
Compensating for non-linearity ................................................................................................ 4
Measurements – compensated setup ....................................................................................... 5
Remaining non-linearity ........................................................................................................... 5
Dynamic time response ............................................................................................................ 6
Model of measurement system ................................................................................................ 6
Measurement errors ................................................................................................................ 6
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 7
Introduction

This report details our investigation into the resistant-temperature characteristics of thermistors by
the investigation of change of resistance in a given thermistor according to the change of
surrounding temperature. The experiment is aimed at deepening our understanding of this device
and the relationship between its resistance and the temperature of the given medium.

A thermistor is a type of semiconductor that changes its resistance depending on its Temperature.
There are NTC and PTC thermistors. NTC thermistor resistance decreases when temperature rises.
PTC thermistor resistance increases when Temperature rises.

A thermistor is built up of two conductors which are insulated to each other by a semiconductor.
When temperature rises, electrons have more energy and are easier/happier to move around,
therefore the resistance drops. For RTCs it is the opposite.

Problem Statement

In the first part of the assignment, we are asked to plot the resistance of the thermistor in relation to
its temperature and then compare it to the datasheet. For the second part we are asked to try to
compensate for the non-linearity of the NTC by adding a parallel resistor and then test again and
evaluate the remaining non-linearity.

Methodology

We set up an experiment with a Multimeter connected to the thermistor,

measuring resistance, and a Multimeter connected to a temperature
sensor, showing us the temperature. Both probes were put next to each
other so that when we insert them into the same cup of hot water, we can
gather both values at once and after plotting them.
Figure 1: Experiment setup

Components used
1. NTC
2. Thermometer
3. Multimeter
4. Stopwatch
5. Cup of hot water (85 degrees)
Measurements

As predicted, the resistance decreases as the temperature rises.

Maximum non-linearity calculations

𝑂𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 34.5 − 5.2

𝐾= = ≈ 0.5232
𝐼𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 86 − 30

𝑎 = 𝑂𝑚𝑖𝑛 − 𝐾𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 5.2 − 0.5253 ∗ 30 = −10.496

𝑂 = 0.5232 ∗ 𝐼 − 10.496
Formula to calculate maximum non-linearity:
𝑁(𝐼) = 𝑂 − (𝐾𝐼 + 𝑎)
Calculating the centre point:
86 − 30
+ 30 = 58, 𝐼(58) = 11.9
2
𝑁(58) = 11.9 − 0.5232 ∗ 58 + 10.496 = −8.0714

̂
𝑁 −8.0714
%𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑛. = ∗ 100 = ∗ 100 = 27.547%
𝑂𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 34.5 − 5.2
Compensating for non-linearity

To compensate for non-linearity, a resistor can be places in parallel with the thermistor. The needed
resistance value can be calculated by looking at the datasheet.

The needed resistance value can be calculated as shown below:

𝐵 − 𝑇𝑐𝑡𝑟 4090 − 62
𝑅𝑝 = 𝑅𝑇𝑐𝑡𝑟 × → 𝑅𝑝 = 9450 × = 9032.89𝛺
𝐵 + 2𝑇𝑐𝑡𝑟 4090 + 2 × 62
Measurements – compensated setup
Parallel resistor value: 9.1𝑘𝛺

Remaining non-linearity

𝑂𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 7.24 − 2.79

𝐾= = ≈ 0.0795
𝐼𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 86 − 30

𝑎 = 𝑂𝑚𝑖𝑛 − 𝐾𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 2.79 − 0.0795 ∗ 30 = 0.405

𝑂 = 0.0795 ∗ 𝐼 − 0.405
Formula to calculate maximum non-linearity:
𝑁(𝐼) = 𝑂 − (𝐾𝐼 + 𝑎)
Calculating the centre point:
86 − 30
+ 30 = 58, 𝐼(58) = 5.15
2
𝑁(58) = 5.15 − 0.0795 ∗ 58 − 0.405 = 0.134

̂
𝑁 0.134
%𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑛. = ∗ 100 = ∗ 100 = 3%
𝑂𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 7.24 − 2.79
Dynamic time response

To test the Dynamic time response of the system, two cups of

different temperatures (28°C & 70°C) are placed next to each
other. After the Thermistor’s resistance has stabilized in the
colder (28°C) cup, it is transferred into the warmer cup and the
time for the resistance to stabilize is measured.

Input range: 70 − 28 = 42

Change of sensor temperature: ∆𝑇 = 42(1 − 𝑒 −𝑡/𝜏 )

The temperature T of the sensor at time t is given by:

𝑇(𝑡) = 𝑇𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 + ∆𝑇 = 30 + 42( 1 − 𝑒 −𝑡/𝜏 )

Model of measurement system

Measurement errors

Measurement errors come from interferences with our experiment. In the real world our
measurement system is imperfect in numerous cases. They can be disturbed by a variety of factors
such as environmental factors including temperature changes in environment, air humidity and
pressure, non-linearity, magnetic fields or accuracy issues in devices like Voltmeters.

Damaged insulation of the connection wires can also result in errors of the measurements. It can
create too high or too low resistance measured in the experiments.

Removing all measurement errors is not possible in most cases, however they can be minimized by
certain measures. These measures can be for example shielding of cables to reduce the influence of
magnetic fields, numerous repetitions of experiment to get an average of measured results and any
other pre- and post-cautions during the experiment.
Conclusion
Overall, the experiments were successful, and the two setups of the experiments showed the use of
thermistors. Considering the potential errors of the experiment, we can still see the expected results
of the resistance change. Overall, our effort paid off by resulting in a better understanding of the
nature of thermistors. The biggest learning outcome is that a thermistor’s resistance is depending on
its Temperature – for NTC thermistor, which was used in the experiments, resistance decreases
when temperature rises.