1.

Objective:
To use the PRT simulation resistors to show the differences between two, three and four wire connection of a platinum resistance thermometer.

2. Theory:
The basis of many electrical measuring devices is the is the Wheatstone Bridge, shown in the Fig (1), it has four identical resistors (R1, R2, R3 and R4) connected end to end in diamond shape. A constant input voltage (Vi) connects across two opposite connection. The output voltage is at the other two connections.

Fig (1): Wheatstone Bridge The output voltage (Vo) depends on the ratio of resistors, so that:

As the equation show, when R1, R2, R3 and R4 are all exactly equal, then the output voltage Vo is zero, no matter what happens to the input voltage Vi. However, if one resistance changes, then Vo will change in proportion to the resistance change. Two Wire Connection (constant voltage):

Fig (2): Two Wire Connection

When a single resistance thermometer replaces one of the resistors in a Wheatstone Bridge, the output voltage change Vo is proportional to the change in resistance of the thermometer. This is the wire quarter bridge connection. When all resistors are equal, the output potential difference is zero. For a positive coefficient thermometer resistance, as the thermometer resistance increase (T goes up), the bridge output potential becomes more positive. As thermometer resistance decreases (T goes down), the output potential difference becomes more negative. The output from the bridge is not perfectly linear, but for small resistances output is assumed to be linear. Three Wire Connection (Constant Voltage):

Fig (3): Three Wire Connection The three wire connection shown in Fig (3) improves on the standard tow wire connection, as it allows for the resistance of the wires that connect the thermometer. But this also means that the wires must be made of the exactly the wire same material and be exactly the same length (They must have identical resistance). Four Wire Connection (Constant Current):

Fig (4): Four Wire Connection The four wire connection as shown in Fig (4) improves the accuracy. The additional resistances cancel out the effect of the wire resistances. This connection is not popular, because where four wire are available, the constant current supply method works better.

3. Apparatus:
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT AND CALIBRATION (TD400), as shown.

Fig (5): TD400

It consist of electrical board which contain Wheatstone bridge, constant voltage connection, constant current connection, two digital screens and some resistors to substitute long in wires. Have eight different popular temperature measuring devices, and a thermo well to show temperature lag. Uses a platinum resistance thermometer as a reference to accurately calibrate the other devices. Shows how electrical resistance devices and thermocouples work, their characteristics and how to connect them correctly to reduce measurement errors. Includes liquid-in-glass thermometers with safe non-toxic liquid - no mercury. Built-in water heater tank with protective guard and drain tap for safe experiments. Works with TecQuipments Versatile Data Acquisition System for simple and reliable recording and processing of results Built-in pressure sensor (barometer) with display of local water boiling temperature.

4. Procedure:
First, Two Wire Connection (Constant Voltage):
3

1. Use the cables supplied to connect the bridge to the Millivoltmeter and the constant voltage supply. 2. Connect the simulated PRT (100 R resistor) directly to the bridge. This simulates an application where the thermometer wires are very short and have no resistance. The bridge output should be zero or near zero. 3. Switch on the electrical supply and wait a few seconds for readings to stabilize, then record the input 1 reading of the Millivoltmeter. 4. Disconnect the two wires on the 100 R resistor and move them along to the positions shown by the dotted wires in Fig (6). The circuit now include R2 and R3 and simulates extending the wires to thermometer. 5. Wait for the readings to stabilize, the record the input 1 reading of the Millivoltmeter.

Fig (6): Two Wire Connection Second, Three Wire Connection (Constant Voltage):

1. Use the cables supplied to connect the bridge to the Millivoltmeter and the constant voltage supply. 2. Connect the simulated three wire shown in Fig (7). 3. Switch on the electrical supply and wait a few seconds for readings to stabilize, then record the input 1 reading of the Millivoltmeter.

Fig (7): Three Wire Connection Thirdly, Four Wire Connection (Constant Current):

1. Use the cables supplied to connect the 100R resistor (simulated thermometer) directly to the Millivoltmeter and the constant voltage supply as shown in Fig (8). 2. Switch on the electrical supply and wait a few seconds for readings to stabilize, then record the input 1 reading of the Millivoltmeter. 3. Reconnect the circuit, but include the four resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4 to simulate adding four cables to the thermometer as shown in Fig (9).

Fig (7): Four Wire Connection

Fig (8): Direct Four Wire Connection

5. Results: Two Wire Connection (Constant Voltage) Connection Millivoltameter Reading (mv) Direct to 100R thermometer 0.0 Two Wire Connection 4.3 Three Wire Connection (Constant Voltage) Millivoltameter Reading (mv) Direct to 100R thermometer 0.0 Three Wire Connection -0.1
Fig (9): Four Wire Connection Connection

Four Wire Connection (Constant Voltage) Connection Millivoltameter Reading (mv) Direct to 100R thermometer 100.8 Four Wire Connection 100.8 6. Analysis:
The three wire connection is more precise than two wire connection, because of, when we add a third wire we have three wire collected in Parallelism connection, then the resultant resistance is lower than the lowest of them. And we add more resistance in Parallelism connection, the equivalent resistance becomes much lower. Also, the four wire connection in more accurate than three wire connection, because the four wire connection have four resistors and the resultant resistor become lower than the lowest of them

7. Conclusion:
We note that the two wire connection is acceptable if the wires are not long. And the three wires connection is good, but the four wire constant current connection is the best, as it ignores the cable length (up to the limits of the constant current source).