EXPERIMENT-7

AIM: Characterization of RTD(Resistance Temperature Detector).

OBJECTIVE:
1. Study static characteristics of RTD
2. Study effect of various parameters on RTD performance
THEORY
Temperature
Temperature is a measure of the average heat or thermal energy of the
particles in a substance. Since it is an average measurement, it does not
depend on the number of particles in an object. In that sense it does not
depend on the size of it. For example, the temperature of a small cup of
boiling water is the same as the temperature of a large pot of boiling water.
Even if the large pot is much bigger than the cup and has millions and
millions more water molecules. The basic unit of temperature (T) in the
International System of Units (SI) is the Kelvin (K). The commonly used
other units of temperature are Degree Celsius (°C) and Degree Fahrenheit
(°F).

Electrical Resistance
The electrical resistance of an object is a measure of its opposition to the flow
of an electric current. For a wide range of materials and conditions, the
electrical resistance does not depend on the amount of current through or the
potential difference (voltage) across the object. That means the resistance R is
constant for the given temperature and material. Therefore, the resistance of
an object can be defined as the ratio of voltage to current, in accordance with
Ohm’s Law:
R = V/I
The unit of resistance is ohm (Ω).

Temperature Measurement using RTD

For measurement of Temperature number of sensors are available. One of the
most linear, stable, and reproducible temperature sensors is the RTD,
Resistance Temperature Detector. In RTD, the output resistance changes with
temperature. RTD is a positive temperature coefficient device. The resistance
of the metal increases with temperature. The resistive property of the metal is
called its resistivity. The resistive property defines length and cross sectional
area required to fabricate an RTD of a given value. The resistance is
proportional to length and inversely proportional to the cross sectional area
and is given by the relationship
R = ρl/A
Where 'R' is resistance of the metal, 'ρ' is the resistivity of the metal, 'l' is the
length of the metal and 'A' is the area of cross section of the metal.

Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)

Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD), as the name implies, is a sensor used
to measure temperature by correlating the resistance with temperature. Most
RTD elements consist of a length of fine coiled wire wrapped around a
ceramic or glass core. The element is usually quite fragile, so it is often placed
inside a sheathed probe to protect it. The RTD element is made from pure
metals as mentioned below. The material property to have predictable change
in resistance as the temperature changes, is used to determine temperature.
Commonly used RTD Materials:
• Platinum (most popular and accurate)
• Nickel
• Copper
• Balco (rare)
• Tungsten (rare)

Temperature Calculations
RTDs are manufactured from metals whose resistance increases with
temperature. Within a limited temperature range, its resistance increases
linearly with temperature:
Rt = Ro[1+ α (t-to)]
Where:
Rt = resistance at temperature 't'
Ro = resistance at a reference temperature ( Generally 0 degree C)
α = temperature coefficient of resistance (°C-1)

Setting to to 0°C and rearranging to the standard linear y = m*x+b form, it is

clear that resistance vs. temperature is linear with a slope equal to
R / Ro = α*t + 1

RTD Materials
The criterions for selecting a material for an RTD:
● Malleability to form small wires.
● Linear relationship of resistance and temperature.
● Repeatability and stability.
● Corrosion.
● Low cost
● Easy availability

RTD Performance Specifications:

1. Temperature Coefficient: It is the change in resistance of the material
per degree change in temperature. This value should be as high as
possible to give higher accuracy of temperature measurement.
2. Accuracy: It is the comparison of measurement with standard
results.That is how good the data is when compared with a recognized
standard. The accuracy of a measurement system is the degree of
closeness of measurements of a quantity to its actual (true) value.
3. Stability: It is the measurement of drift over time. Stability is affected
by sensor design. Well designed, high quality sensors will have less
drift while high vibration, mechanical wear and tear and thermal shock
will degrade the stability.
4. Interchangeability: Interchangeability is the measure of change in base
tolerance and temperature coefficient from sensor to sensor. This is
important when replacing a sensor, to ensure that the system retains its
performance characteristics without any need for re-calibration.
5. Response time: Response time is time the sensor takes to react to
temperature changes in a process.
Factors that influence the sensor response:
• Thermal lag when combined with the thermowell
• Immersion length
• Flow velocity of the process fluid
• Process fluid transients
• Fluid boundary or film on sensing surface
• Influences from wall or vessel
• Environmental factors
6. Insulation resistance: It is the largest cause of errors and failure of
 RTD. The causes can be an inadequate seal, high humidity
environment, or a failed seal. In some cases baking the RTD assembly
will increase the insulation resistance and recover the RTD.
7. Self heating: The very small cross-sectional areas in the sensing
elements will tend to heat when electrical current is applied. Most
RTDs are specified to be operated with a current of 1 milliampere or
less.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

CALCULATIONS
Equation For Calculating Rt

Rt = Ro[1+ α (t-to)]

Where,

Rt is resistance at measurement temperature

Ro is resistance at reference (0°C) temperature
α is temperature coefficient of material
(t-to) is the difference between measurement and reference temperature