MEASUREMENT & CONTROL DEVICES: AIRCONDITIONING

Hygrometer:
A Hygrometer is a measuring instrument that measures the moisture level (Humidity of ambient air) in the room.

Humidistat (as referred to in India) also known as Humidostat (American)

A humidostat is a humidity regulating device that is used in tandem with a hygrometer for the measurement and
control of humidity of air in a conditioned environment.

Hair Type Humidostat:

A hair type humidostat uses human hair (or silk) in a calibrated canister that increases or decreases in length with an
increase or decrease in humidity. The change in length is translated into an electric current by means of a micro-
switch or a slide-wire potentiometer.

Electronic Humidostat:
An electronic humidistat includes a sensing element and a relay amplifier. The sensing element consists of alternate
metal conductors on a small, flat plate with a plastic coating. An increase or decrease in humidity causes a decrease
or increase in the electrical resistance between the two sets of conductors; the change in resistance is measured by
the relay amplifier.
Humidostat Types

Absorption Type Humidostat:

An absorption type humidostat has a conductivity probe with electrodes extending into two interconnected vials
containing lithium chloride solution. Moisture is absorbed by the solution from the humid ambient air whereby a
change of the volume of the solution results and the level of humidity can be determined. When used with an air
conditioner, for example, the humidistat cycles the unit on and off based on humidity rather than temperature as
provided with a regular thermostat.
THERMOSTATS
A thermostat is a device that regulates the temperature of any conditioned space. The thermostat does this by
activating/deactivating the air conditioning system (on or off) between a programmed range of temperature. A Dry
bulb thermometer is generally used in tandem with a thermostat.

Mainly, there are two kinds of air conditioner thermostats; electromechanical thermostats and electronic
thermostats.

Electromechanical Thermostat

An Electromechanical thermostat uses a miniature glass vial that contains mercury and a narrow piece of bi-metal
coil. The narrow piece of bi-metal coil is sensitive to temperature change. It expands when it is warm and contracts
when it is cold. The bi-metallic strip uses the principle of difference in solid’s expansion. It can expand and contract
without failing.
Brass and stainless steel are the normal material to be used in this application. In our case, brass expands and
contracts quicker than steel, at a given temperature rise or drop.
The strip will be wound into a spiral shaped material, with brass being on the inside part of the spiral. Hence, when
the heat within the room is up, the spiral will unwind causing it to contact the mercury switch. The mercury switch in
turn actuates the compressor.
Bellows Type Thermostat
The Bellow type thermostat is a pressure actuated type thermostat that uses a bulb containing gas which expands or
contracts with variation in room temperature. This in turn expands or contracts a bellow that opens or closes the
electrical contact controlling the compressor to maintain a constant temperature. Thus, when the room air becomes
colder than the thermostat setting, the gas in the bulb contracts, causing the bellows to contract. The electrical
circuit opens and the compressor stops. When the room air temperature goes above the thermostat setting, the gas
in the bulb expands, the bellow expands, the electrical contracts close and the cooling starts. In this way, the room
air-conditioner maintains the temperature desired. The room occupants need adjust the thermostat control to a
new position when they wish to change the desired, temperature.

Electronic Thermostats

An electronic thermostat is in the form of a PCB that is integrated with a Thermistor, which is a temperature
sensitive semiconductor used for opening & closing electrical circuits. It uses a Negative Temperature Coefficient
Thermistor that will decrease its resistance as the temperature increases and letting the current flow through it
thereby actuating the compressor. When cooling conditions are achieved, the thermistor resists the flow of current
causing the compressor to switch off.