Sensor and Signal Conditioning

Contents
Introduction to sensor-based measurement systems:
General concepts and terminology
Sensor classification
Static characteristics & dynamic characteristics of
measurement systems
Primary Sensors:
Temperature sensor
Pressure Sensor
Flow velocity and flow-rate sensor
Level, force and torque, acceleration and inclination, velocity
sensors, microsensor technology.
Dynamic characteristics
Variation in dynamic characteristics
Contd …….
Contd ………….
The dynamic characteristics of an instrument are:

Speed of response
Fidelity
Lag
Dynamic Error
Contd ……..

Speed of response

It is the rapidity with which an instrument responds to changes in the

measured quantity.
Contd ……….

Fidelity

It is the degree to which an instrument indicates the changes in

measured variable without dynamic error.
Contd ………..

Lag

It is a retardation or delay in the response of an instrument to changes

in the measured quantity.
Contd …………….

Dynamic Error

It is the difference between the true value of a quantity changing with

time and the value indicated by the instrument, if no static error is
assumed.
Dynamic Response of zero-order instrument
Example - Potentiometer
Dynamic Response of first-order instrument
Example – Glass thermometer
Dynamic Response of second-order instrument
Example – Spring balance
Primary Sensor - TEMPERATURE
SENSORS
‡Introduction
• Temperature is an important parameter in many control systems.
• Temperature is not measured directly like displacement, pressure or
flow.
‡Sensors covered
• Thermocouple.

• RTD.

• Bimetallic thermometer.
†Thermocouple
• It is based on the principle of “seeback effect ".

• Based on generation of thermoelectricity.

• When two dissimilar metals are connected together at two

different temperatures, an emf is generated.

• The magnitude of thermal emf depends on the wire material and in

temperature difference between the junctions.

• It can be used for both ac and dc applications.

 Types of thermocouples
• “ J “ type – iron and constantan.
• “ K “ type – chromel and alumel.
• “E “ type – chromel and constantant.
• “ T “ type – copper and constantan.
copper

constantan

Sensing Reference
junction junction
 • Thermocouples may be connected either
Thermopile in series or in parallel.

B • This arrangement is called thermopile.

A
• In this, all measuring junctions are at same
B
temperature while all reference functions
A are at another temperature.
B
• Used to measure temperature of
A
furnance, temperature of moving masses
B of metal.

B are reference junctions

A are heated junctions
Applications of thermocouple Advantages

• Thermocouples are suitable for • Simple.

wide range of temperature, upto • Rugged.
1800⁰C.
• No battery required.
• Measure wide range of
• Widely used in steel temperature.
industries, heating furnances etc.
• Cheap.
 • Stands for Resistance Temperature
†RTD Detector.
• It is positive temperature device.
• Material used- Pt, Ni, Copper, Tungesten.
• Pt is preferred because it can withstand
high temp., while maintaining excellent
stability.
• Range: -250 to 1ooo C.
Applications Advantages
• It is used in electrical appliances • Most stable.
such as motor, generator etc.
• Most accurate.
• It is used in engine testing beds.
• More linear than thermocouple.
†Bimetallic thermometers
• Based on the principle:
i. All metals expand or contract with change in temperature.
ii. The temperature coefficient of expansion is different for all
metals.
• It consist 2 strips of different metals welded together.
• When welded strip is heated, length of metal changes.
• This causes movement of bimetallic strip.
• This movement deflects the pointer over calibrated scale.
• Range: -70 to 540 C.
Application Advantages
• Refineries • Simple
• Oil burners. • Robust.
• Hot solder tanks. • Inexpensive.
• Hot wire heaters. • Easy to install and maintain.