Basic Engineering Measurement

AGE 2310
Lecture

5 King Saud University

Al Muzahimiyah Branch
College of Engineering

Dr. Rihem FARKH

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Topic 5: Temperature

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Course Objectives

 understand the main operating

characteristics of temperature
measurement devices such as resistor
temperature detectors, thermistors, and
thermocouples
 Be able to experimentally determine
temperature curves (Equations) for
temperature measurement devices..

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Temperature

 Temperature is the most common used and

measured variable. Actually, the definition of
temperature and scale is not well understood.
 Temperature is described as the property of an
object that describes its hotness and coldness.
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Temperature

 Temperature can be measured via a diverse array

of sensors. All of them infer temperature by
sensing some change in a physical characteristic.
 Six types with which the engineer is likely to
come into contact are: THERMOCOUPLES,
RESISTIVE TEMPERATURE DEVICES (RTD and
THERMISTORS), INFRARED RADIATORS,
BIMETALLIC DEVICES, LIQUID EXPANSION
DEVICES, AND CHANGE-OF-STATE DEVICES.

 The most common method of measuring and

controlling temperature uses an electrical circuit
called a THERMOCOUPLE.
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Temperature

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Temperature

 Thermocouples utilize the so-called SEEBECK effect

(1821) in order to transform a temperature difference to
a voltage difference (electromotive force emf).
 A THERMOCOUPLE consists of two electrical conductors
that are made of dissimilar metallic materials and have
at least one electrical connection.
 This electrical connection is referred to as a junction. A
thermocouple junction may be created by welding, or by
any method that provides good electrical contact
between the two conductors, such as twisting the wires
around one another.
 The output of a thermocouple circuit is a voltage, and
there is a definite relationship between this voltage, and
temperatures of the junctions that make up the
thermocouple circuit.
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Temperature

 To demonstrate the errors introduced in this procedure,

introduced the junction of a type T thermocouple in
boiling water (known to be at 100ºC) and read the
voltage across the leads. The reading was 3.634 mV,
which corresponds to 86.1ºC.

Thermocouple Circuit
Copper

emf T Probe junction

Thermocouple Type T
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Constantan

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Temperature

 This temperature error arises because the connection of

the thermocouple leads to the voltimeter constitutes two
additional thermoelectric junctions that substract
voltage from the signal being measured.
 This problem can be remedied using the arrangement
show in this figure:

Copper
Probe junction

emf T

Copper Constantan
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Reference junction
Ice bath

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Temperature

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Temperature

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Temperature : RTD

Types of RTD
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Temperature : RTD

RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTORS

•RTD’s functions as a result of increasing resistance in

proportion to increasing temperature. i.e, with a known
current, as temperature increases, voltage increases.
•As a known current is placed through the RTD, the output
voltage indicates RTD resistance. Since the relationship
between the resistance and temperature is known, the
temperature can thus be determined.

•The resistivity of the metal used in a RTD is dependent upon

the temperature.
• Platinum has the best range and is the most common metal
used.
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Temperature : RTD

 The general equation is:

R  R (T)  R o 1   T  To    T  To   ...

R

 1   T  To 
Ro
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Temperature : RTD

 Where:
 R= Resistance at temperature T
 Ro= Resistance at temperature To
 To= Temperature of reference
 T= Temperature
 α= Resistivity Coefficient
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The Wheatstone Bridge

 For measuring temperature, a Wheatstone bridge

is used in out of balance where the out-of-balance
voltage, ΔV, can be measured and related to the
resistance of the thermistor.
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The Wheatstone Bridge

 Considering this circuit, we now derive the

relation between T and .V. In general:

 Assume R1 = R3. Then,

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