SUMMARY

The purposes of the experiment were to determine the relationship between temperature with
the voltage and resistance of thermocouple Type K, Type J and RTD, and to compare the
measured and calculated temperatures, voltage and resistance between the thermocouple Type
K, Type J and RTD. The experiment starts by increasing the temperature to the respective.
After the temperature has been reached, the reading from thermocouple Type K, Type J and
RTD was recorded. The resistance for each thermocouple was also recorded after the
temperature has been reached. Throughout the experiment, it showed that there are different
in temperature reading between thermocouple Type K, Type J and RTD. When the voltage of
thermocouples Type K, Type J and the resistance RTD increases, the temperature also
increases. This can be related to the theory, Ohm’s law which gives the relationship between
the voltages (V), current (I) and resistance (R). The relationship can be written as V = IR.
RTD readings are more accurate and more repeatable while thermocouples Type K and Type
J react faster to the changes in temperature as they have some range of temperatures. During
this experiment, there is an error occur during the experiment was conducted which is the
recording of the temperature ad resistance as the data on the screen keep changing rapidly
that makes it hard to record properly and perfectly.
INTRODUCTION AND METHOD
The objective of this experiment is to determine the relationship between temperature with
the voltage and resistance of thermocouple Type K, Type J and RTD. Next, to compare the
measured and calculated temperature, voltage and resistance between thermocouple Type K,
Type J and RTD. Lastly, to learn differences be Type J, Type K and RTD measured
temperature tables. Thermocouple is a type of sensor that used to measure temperature.
Thermocouples consist of two wire legs that was made from different metals. Those two wire
were joined together at one end that creates a junction. At the junction is where temperature
were measured. When the junction experiences a change in temperature, a voltage is created.
The voltage can then be interpreted using thermocouple reference tables to calculate the
temperature. Thermocouples can be differentiate in many types according to its own unique
characteristics in terms of temperature range, durability, vibration resistance, chemical
resistance, and application compatibility. Type J, Type K and RTD are the most common
types of thermocouples that been used.

The experiment starts by switching on the main supply. Then, the pump suction and all pump
discharge valves (including MV) were ensured to be fully opened. By-pass valve (BV) was
open before start-up the pump. As soon as the pump was switch on, by-pass valve (BV) was
shut and water was let to fill in tank T1 until it was overflow. The cap of TE1, TE2 and TE3
was opened. There were 4 runs in this experiment. At first run, temperature was set at 30ºC. 2
sets of readings were taken to calculate the average. The mV reading of TE1 and TE2 and the
resistance for TE3 were recorded by using multimeter. For the second run, temperature was
set at 40ºC. Heater was on and 2 sets of readings were taken. The mV reading of TE1 and
TE2 and the resistance for TE3 were recorded by using multimeter. For the third and fourth
run , temperature was set at 50ºC and 60ºC respectively. Heater was on and 2 sets of readings
were taken. The mV reading of TE1 and TE2 and the resistance for TE3 were recorded by
using multimeter. Once all the runs area was successfully completed, the pump and heater
was switch off. Water temperature was wait until it decreases to 40ºC until it can be drained.
OBJECTIVE

The objective of this experiment are:

1. To determine the relationship between temperature with the voltage and resistance of
thermocouple Type K, Type J and RTD.
2. To compare the measured and calculated temperature, voltage and resistance between
thermocouple Type K, Type J and RTD.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Table 1:

Reference ambient temperature read at thermometer: 30oC.

No Thermometer reading (oC)

1 29.5

RUN 1 UNIT TE1 at TI(1) TE2 at TI(2) TE3(3)

HEATER
(OFF)
o
A Temperature C 33.3 33.8 32.7
B1 MV from TC mV 1325 1745
B2 table Ω 112.45
C1 Measured mV 0.099 0.126
C2 signal Ω 115.47
D 1 = B1 + C 1 Actual mV 1325.10 1751.13
D2 = C2 Signal Ω 115.47
o
E Calculated C 33.0 34.0 40.0
Temperature
o
F = | E–A| Temperature C 0.3 0.2 7.3
Deviation

Table 1 shows the table of reference ambient temperature read at thermometer with
30oC and the results of temperature and resistance between thermocouple Type K, Type J and
RTD. TE1 is thermocouple Type K, TE2 is thermocouple Type J and TE3 is RTD. “A” is the
Temperature (oC) read from Process Indicator, “B” and “E” results read from the
Thermocouple Tables and “C” read from Multimeter. In this experiment, the temperature of
thermometer reading is 29.5oC. The temperature of TE1 and TE2 read at A (33.3 oC, 33.8 oC)
is almost the same with the calculated temperature (E) (33.0 oC, 34,0oC) while TE3 shows a
huge different between the A (32.7oC) and E (40.0 oC). There are different readings of
measured signal and actual signal shows by this three types of thermocouple. The higher the
temperature, the higher the reading of resistance.
Table 2:

Reference ambient temperature read at thermometer: 40oC.

No Thermometer reading (oC)

1 30

RUN 1 UNIT TE1 at TI(1) TE2 at TI(2) TE3(3)

HEATER
(OFF)
o
A Temperature C 42.1 43.4 40
B1 MV from TC mV 1693 2216
B2 Ω 115.54
table
C1 Measured mV 0.383 0.487
C2 Ω 119.30
signal
D 1 = B1 + C 1 Actual mV 1693.38 2216.49
D2 = C2 Ω 119.30
Signal
o
E Calculated C 42.0 43.0 50.0
Temperature
o
F = | E–A| Temperature C 0.1 0.4 10.0
Deviation

Table 2 shows the table of reference ambient temperature read at thermometer with
40oC. In this experiment, the temperature of thermometer reading is 30 oC. There is the huge
different between A and E of the RTD temperature compared to TE1 and TE2.
Table 3:
Reference ambient temperature read at thermometer: 45oC.

No Thermometer reading (oC)

1 33

RUN 1 UNIT TE1 at TI(1) TE2 at TI(2) TE3(3)

HEATER
(OFF)
o
A Temperature C 47.5 49.0 45.1
B1 MV from TC mV 1940 2532
B2 Ω 117.86
table
C1 Measured mV 0.476 0.617
C2 Ω 120.30
signal
D 1 = B1 + C 1 Actual mV 1940.48 2532.62
D2 = C2 Ω 120.30
Signal
o
E Calculated C 48.0 49.0 51.0
Temperature
o
F = | E–A| Temperature C 0.5 0.0 5.9
Deviation

Table 3 shows the table of reference ambient temperature read at thermometer with
45oC. In this experiment, the temperature of thermometer reading is 33 oC. TE2 shows the
highest temperature of A while in E, TE3 is the highest. As the temperature of TE1 and TE2
increases, the resistance also increases.
Table 4:

Reference ambient temperature read at thermometer: 50oC.

No Thermometer reading (oC)

1 33

RUN 1 UNIT TE1 at TI(1) TE2 at TI(2) TE3(3)

HEATER
(OFF)
o
A Temperature C 52.2 53.6 50.0
B1 MV from TC mV 2105 2796
B2 Ω 119.40
table
C1 Measured mV 0.746 0.168
C2 Ω 122.53
signal
D 1 = B1 + C 1 Actual mV 2105.75 2796.17
D2 = C2 Ω 122.53
Signal
o
E Calculated C 52.0 54.0 58.0
Temperature
o
F = | E–A| Temperature C 0.2 0.4 8.0
Deviation

Table 4 shows the table of reference ambient temperature read at thermometer with
50oC. In this experiment, the temperature of thermometer reading is 33 oC. The result shows
when the temperature of TE1 and TE2 increases, the resistance also increases. The
temperature deviation of TE3 is higher compared to TE1 and TE2.
 A B C
Element Type Deviation Range (o) o
Difference ( C) in the range
Type K (TE1)
Type J (TE2)
RTD (PT 100) (TE3)

Remarks;

B: Deviation range of the element obtained by stating the lowest deviation value and the
highest deviation value for all runs

C: Difference in the deviation range obtained by subtracting the lowest deviation value with
the highest deviation value.

The objective of this experiment is to determine the relationship between temperature

with the voltage and resistance of thermocouple Type K, Type J and RTD, and to compare the
measured and calculated temperatures, voltage and resistance between the thermocouple Type
K, Type J and RTD.

Thermocouple and Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) are devices used to

measure heat. This devices gives different kind of temperature reading as they have different
sensor of heat. Thermocouples (Type K and Type J) are temperature sensors that apply two
different metals in the sensor to give a voltage that can be read to determine temperature. The
combinations of different metals used in thermocouples is to give different calibrations with
different sensor characteristics and temperature ranges. Meanwhile, RTD is a temperature
sensor that have a resistor. The resistance value varies as its temperature changes (Terry M.
Brei, 2013)

Thermocouple Type K (Nickel – Chromium / Nickel – Alumel) is the standard type of

thermocouple and it is reliable, accurate, has a wide temperature range and inexpensive. The
Type J (Iron / Constantan) is also very common thermocouple. It has a smaller temperature
range and a shorter lifespan at higher temperatures compare to the Type K. In terms of
expense and reliability, it is more similar to the Type K (Thermocouple, retrieved from
www.thermocoupleinfo.com). On the other hand, RTD often used for industrial temperature
measurement and in precise laboratory work as their accuracy is within 0.1 to 0.2°C at 0°C
which makes them ideal for use in various applications (What is an RTD Sensor, retrieved
from www.omega.com).

In this experiment, the temperature, voltage and resistance of thermocouple Type K,

Type J and RTD are compared and calculated temperatures, voltage and resistance were done.
Based on the results, the voltage of thermocouples Type K, Type J and the resistance RTD
increases as the temperature increase. This results can be relate to Ohm’s law. Ohm's Law
gives the relationship between the voltages (V), current (I) and resistance (R). The
relationship can be write as V = IR (Ohm’s Law, retrieved from www.electronicsclub.info).

However, Type K, Type J and RTD gives different readings in temperature in every
ambient temperature that was set.

Table 5: Comparison between the Ambient Temperature Set with The Reading
Obtained From The Process Indicator.

Ambient Type K Type J RTD

Temperature (oC)
30 33.3 33.8 32.7
40 42.1 43.4 40.0
45 47.5 49.0 45.1
50 52.2 53.6 50.0

Based on the Table 5, RTD reading gives exact value as the ambient temperature
except at 30oC. This is because, RTD have a good quality compared to thermocouples as their
readings are more accurate and more repeatable. Meanwhile, thermocouples Type K and Type
J react faster to the changes in temperature as they have some range of temperatures that can
be measured using them(Thermocouples Chapter 9 - Electrical Instrumentation Signals,
retrieved from www.allaboutcircuits.com). The reading of the Type K and Type J is higher
than the reading of RTD.
 Table 6: Comparison between the Ambient Temperature Set with Calculated
Temperature Reading

Ambient Type K Type J RTD

Temperature (oC)
30 33.0 34.0 40.0
40 42.0 43.0 50.0
45 48.0 49.0 51.0
50 52.0 54.0 58.0

Based on the calculated temperature reading as shows at Table 6, the temperature are
slightly the same for Type K and Type J, meanwhile RTD have 10 oC extra. This is because,
the reading taken for Actual Signal are rounded off from the Thermocouple Tables.

To summarize, thermocouples are more durable and able to measure a bigger range of
temperatures, while RTDs produce more satisfactory and more reliable measurements in
temperature measurement (Terry M. Brei, 2013). Therefore, the objectives of this experiment
is done.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

As a conclusion, there are different in temperature reading between thermocouple

Type K, Type J and RTD. When the voltage of thermocouples Type K, Type J and the
resistance RTD increases, the temperature also increases. This results can be relate to Ohm’s
law which gives the relationship between the voltages (V), current (I) and resistance (R). The
relationship can be write as V = IR. RTD readings are more accurate and more repeatable
while thermocouples Type K and Type J react faster to the changes in temperature as they
have some range of temperatures. As a recommendation, make sure to understand the
Thermocouple Table and understand the objective of the experiment before conduct the
experiment.
REFERENCE

1. Terry M. (Brei, RTD vs Thermocouple – What’s the difference?) January 13

2013 , retrieved from https://www.surecontrols.com/rtd-vs-thermocouple/
2. Thermocouples Chapter 9 - Electrical Instrumentation Signals, retrieved from
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-
9/thermocouples/
3. Ohm’s Law, retrieved from https://electronicsclub.info/ohmslaw.htm
4. Duff M, Towey J. Two Ways to Measure Temperature Using Thermocouples
Feature Simplicity, Accuracy, and Flexibility, Volume 44, October 2010,
retrieved from https://www.analog.com/en/analog-
dialogue/articles/measuring-temp-using-thermocouples.html
5. Type of Thermocouple, retrieved from
https://www.thermocoupleinfo.com/thermocouple-types.htm