Power Electronics & Instrumentation Lab (EN327)
Instructors: Dr. Pavan Hari, Dr. Ravi Prakash Reddy, Dr. D Venkatramanan
Department of Energy Science & Engineering
IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076
Instructions
Wearing shoes to the laboratory is mandatory considering human safety. There can be no exception.
Please do not come to laboratory in slippers/sandals/flip-flops.
Please contact the designated TA for assistance in case of doubt/concern.
Write the answers to the questions clearly and legibly so that they can be evaluated.
Experiment 08: Study of Temperature Transducers
Aims
1) Comprehensive understanding of various temperature sensors and their diverse applications.
2) Plotting Resistance -Temperature characteristic curve for RTD.
3) Plotting Voltage -Temperature characteristic curve for Thermocouple
Apparatus required
S. No. Equipment Purpose Ratings
1 Temperature Transducer setup control panel Scientech 2302M
2 Patch Cord making connections 4mm
3 Mains Cord To power the platform 8mm
FLIR C5, -20℃ to
4 Thermal Imaging Camera Taking as reference for
400℃
calculations
Theory
Bimetallic Temperature Sensor
Bimetallic strip temperature sensors are devices that measure temperature through the differential expansion of
two bonded metals that expand at different rates when heated. These sensors consist of a strip composed of two
metals with distinct coefficients of thermal expansion. As the temperature increases, the metal with the higher
expansion rate elongates more than the other,but as the relative movement is restricted due to bonding, causing
the strip to bend or curve. This mechanical deformation can be directly linked to temperature changes.
The action of the bimetal strip is utilized in various applications, such as triggering a contact in a thermostat to
start or stop heating and cooling systems or moving a pointer across a scale in thermometers. Bimetal strip
sensors are valued for their simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, making them suitable for a wide range
of temperature sensing tasks.The metallic strip can be designed with two metals like copper, steel, etc.Our
Bimetallic sensor has a Temperature range of 0-150°C.
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Fig. 1: Bimetallic Temperature sensor
RTD Temperature Sensor
An RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) is a sensor whose resistance changes as its temperature changes.
The resistance increases as the temperature of the sensor increases. The resistance vs temperature relationship is
well known and is repeatable over time. An RTD is a passive device. It does not produce an output on its own.
External electronic devices are used to measure the resistance of the sensor by passing a small electrical current
through the sensor to generate a voltage.
Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTD) operates on the principle that the electrical resistance of a metal
changes predictably in an essentially linear and repeatable manner with changes in temperature. RTD have a
positive temperature coefficient (resistance increases with temperature). The resistance of the element at a base
temperature is proportional to the length of the element and the inverse of the cross sectional area.
A 3-wire configuration for RTDs improves measurement accuracy by compensating for lead wire resistance. In
this setup, one wire delivers current to the RTD element while the other two measure the voltage drop across the
RTD, allowing the system to subtract the resistance of the lead wires from the total measurement. This ensures
that only the resistance of the RTD element itself is measured, resulting in more precise and reliable temperature
readings.The Temperature Range of our RTD PT 100 is (-99 to 850°C) with a resolution of 0.1°C.
Fig. 2: RTD Temperature sensor
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Thermocouple (K-Type) Sensor
A thermocouple is made up of two dissimilar metals, joined together at one end, that produce a voltage (expressed
in millivolts) with a change in temperature. The junction of the two metals, called the sensing junction, is
connected to extension wires. Any two dissimilar metals may be used to make a thermocouple.
The Seebeck effect, also known as the thermo-junction effect, occurs when two different metals are joined
together, forming a junction that generates a small voltage known as the thermo-junction voltage, attributed
to the Peltier effect. When the temperature at the junction changes, the voltage also changes, a phenomenon
related to the Thomson effect. This voltage change can be measured by the input circuits of an electronic
controller, producing an output voltage that is proportional to the temperature difference between the junction
and the free ends.
By maintaining one junction at a known temperature (the reference junction) and measuring the voltage at the
other, the temperature at the sensing junction can be accurately deduced. The voltage generated is directly
proportional to the temperature difference, effectively utilizing both the Peltier and Thomson effects to measure
temperature.There are various types of thermocouples, each designated by a letter (e.g. Type K, Type J, Type
T), and each made from different metal combinations suited for different temperature ranges and environments.
For K-type thermocouple, the working temperature range is -200℃ to 1250℃ with a resolution of 1°C.
Fig. 3: Thermocouple
Fig. 4: Characteristics of Thermocouple
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Thermistor Sensor
A PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) thermistor exhibits a unique behavior where its resistance increases
with rising temperatures and decreases as temperatures fall. This characteristic makes it suitable for use as
a protective fuse in circuits. Typically, PTC thermistors provide high precision within a narrow temperature
range, approximately 50ºC around a specified target temperature, with their performance influenced by the base
resistance.
Thermistors operate on the principle that their resistance changes with temperature changes; this response is due to
the self-heating of its semiconductor materials, rather than metals used in RTDs. Thermistors are highly sensitive
solid state devices and exhibit non-linear temperature-resistance relationships, unlike the more linear responses of
RTDs. Furthermore, thermistors typically decrease in resistance as temperature increases, distinguishing them
from many other temperature-sensing devices. The specific resistance-temperature characteristics vary depending
on the type of thermistor used. It has a resolution of 1°C.
Fig. 5: Thermistor
Thermal Imaging Sensor
A thermal imaging camera sensor works by detecting infrared radiation (heat) emitted from objects within its
view. The sensor, typically made from materials like vanadium oxide or amorphous silicon, captures this radiation
and converts it into electrical signals. These signals are then processed to form a thermal image that represents
temperature variations across the scene. The resulting image displays warmer areas in one color spectrum
and cooler areas in another, allowing users to visualize heat distribution. This technology is utilized in various
applications, from building inspections and medical diagnostics to night vision and surveillance, providing critical
information that is not visible to the naked eye.
Fig. 6: Thermal Imaging Camera
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Procedure
Analyzing the difference between the RTD and Thermocouple sensor
1) Make sure the knobs of Heater and Fan are turned off
2) Connect the Mains Cord to the RTD, Thermocouple: K-type (Scientech 2302M), and Thermistor as shown in
the figure.
3) Switch on the main power rocker switch
4) Take a Reading of all sensor at t=0, using Display and Note down in observation table.
5) To turn on the heater, move the toggle switch to the up position, activating both the heater and its indicator.
Give the heater time to warm up and stabilize.
6) Start a reading at every the 30 seconds intervals, till 25 minutes
7) After Performing Heater Experiments put toggle switch in down position so that the heater gets turned off and
put the fan toggle switch in up position to allow the heater element to cool.
8) Calculate the mean error in values between RTD & Thermocouple temperature sensors from the following
formula: 1
Pn 2 2
t=0 (RT D temperature − T hermocouple temperature)
RM SE =
n
9) Create a single plot of temperature vs time for different temperature sensors
Table 1: Temperature measurement Analysis
Time RTD Sensor Thermocouple Sensor
0 min
0.5 min
1 min
Analyzing the characteristics of the RTD & Thermocouple temperture sensors
1) Make sure the knobs of Heater and Fan and down
2) Connect the Mains Cord to the Thermocouple: K-type (Scientech 2302M), and Thermistor.
3) Connect the crocodile clips to RTD & Thermocouple and Switch on the main power rocker switch
4) Take a Reading of all sensor at t=0, using Display and Note down in observation table.
5) To turn on the heater, move the toggle switch to the up position, activating both the heater and its indicator.
Give the heater time to warm up and stabilize.
6) Start a reading at every the 30 seconds intervals, till 25 minutes
7) After Performing Heater Experiment s Put Toggle witch at down position the Heater will off and Put Fan
Toggle Switch at up position
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Table 2: Readings for Characteristics calculation
Resistance Thermocouple
Time Temperature
RTD (Ω) Voltage (mV)
0 min
0.5 min
1 min
8) Create 2 plots of ’RTD Resistance(Ω) vs Temperature(℃)’ and ’Thermocouple Voltage(mV) vs Temperature(℃)’
9) Deduce the trendline equation for both the RTD and thermocouple
y = mx + C
y− > Resistance(RT D); V oltage(T hermocouple)
x− > T emperature
m− > Slope
c− > Interception
9) Calculate the temperature coefficient for RTD (PT100) Sensor
R100 − R0
α0,rtd =
R0 ∗ 100
10) Calculate the temperature coefficient of Thermocouple Sensor
m
α0,therm =
c
Questions
1) What is Peltier effect?
2) Will the temperature coefficient of thermistor be high or low?
3) What is seebeck effect?
4) What is response time of a temperature transducer?
5) What is operating range in the context of temperature transducer?
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