Introduction

Temperature is a thermal state of body

which distinguishes a hot body from a cold
body
The temperature measuring instruments
are classified according to the nature of
the changes produced in the testing body
by the change of temperature
Methods of temperature
measurement
 Expansion thermometer.
 Expansion of liquid
 Liquid in glass thermometer
 Electrical temperature instruments
 Thermocouple
 Resistance Temperature Detector(RTD)
 Thermistor
 Resistance thermometer
 Pyrometer
 Radiation pyrometer
Liquid in Glass Thermometer
 Principle
Both liquid and glass expand on heating and their
differential expression indicates the temperature.
 Construction
 Unit consists of glass envelope, measuring liquid and an
indicating scale
 Envelope comprises of thick walled glass tube with a
capillary bore and a cylindrical bulb with Mercury
liquid.
 The two parts are fused together and the top end of the
capillary tube is sealed.
Liquid in glass thermometer
Liquid Range
Mercury -35 to 510
Alcohol -80 to 70
Toluene -80 to 100
Pentane -200 to 30
Creosote -5 to 200
 Advantages Disadvantages

 Simplicity of use and  Limited range upto 600C

relatively low cost.  Lack of adaptability to
 Ease of checking for remote reading.
physical damage
 No need of additional
indicating instrument.
 Fragile construction.
Thermocouple
 Introduction
• Thermocouple is an active transducer which
generate e.m.f. by its own.
• It is simple electrical temperature sensitive device.
• It provides reliable method of temperature
measurement.
 Principle
• Seeback effect
• Peltier effect
• Thomson effect
Thermocouple
 Working Principle
An EMF is generated across the junction of two dissimilar
metals when that junction is heated.

 Construction
 It consist of two dissimilar metals wires connected
together so as to form two junctions.
 One junction is kept at constant temperature(cold
junction) and other is heated(hot junction).
 Hot junction is called measuring junction(sensing
junction) and cold junction is called reference junction.
 Temperature ranges
for insulating
material.
 Enamel and cotton-250F
 Glass and asbestos-900F
 Ceramic-2600F
Materials Used and Types of
thermocouple.
Type Metal-pair Temperature Range
Type T Copper-Constantan -200C to 371C
Type J Iron-Constantan -190C to 760C
Type E Chromel-Constantan -196C to 1000C
Type K Chromel- Alumel -190C to 1370C
Type S Platinum-Platinum
Advantages Disadvantages
 Cheaper than resistance  Cold junction , cable and
thermometer lead compensation is
 It has rugged essential for
construction measurement
 Temperature range -270  Needs signal
to 2700C amplification
 Bridge circuits are not  Exhibit non linearity in
needed for measurement e.m.f vs temperature
 Offers good characteristics.
reproducibility  Stray voltage pick up is
possible.
Resistance Temperature Detector
 Introduction
 Resistance thermometers are the sensors used to
measure temperature by comparing the resistance of the
RTD element with temperature.
 RTD converts the temperature into the electrical
resistance which can measured using the Wheatstone
bridge.
Resistance Temperature Detector
 Material Used
 High electrical resistivity , so that sensing elements can
be fabricated in convenient size.
 High resistance temperature coefficient for high
sensitivity.
 Linear resistance temperature relationship.
 No state or phase change in reasonable temperature
range
 Corrosion resistance
Working of RTD
RTD Configuration

 RTD is available in three configurations

 Two wire compensation

 Three wire compensation

 Four wire compensation

Advantages of RTD
 Linear over wide operating range
 Wide temperature operating range
 High temperature operating range
 Interchangeability over wide range
 Good stability at high temperature
Application of RTD
 Air conditioning and refrigeration
 Food processing
 Stoves and grills
 Textile productions
 Plastic processing
 Micro-electronics
 Air, gas and liquid temperature measurement
Thermistor
 A temperature sensing element which measure
temperature according to change in resistance.
 It is usually made of a sintered semiconductor
material.
 They can or cannot be self heated.
 They use ceramic or polymer materials while RTDs
use pure metals.
 They are available in various shapes like disc, rod,
washer, etc.
Construction
Types
 Positive temperature coefficient thermistor
 Negative temperature coefficient thermistor
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

 Low cost  Non linear output is seen

 Sensitivity is high  Not suitable for high
 Small in size temperature measurement
 Good stability  Requires external power
 High output signal
supply
 Shielded cables should be
 Easy to transport
used to minimize
interference
 Self - heating
Applications
 Measurement of power at high frequencies.
 Measurement of thermal conductivity.
 Measurement of level, flow , and pressure of liquids.
 Vacuum measurement.
 Measurement of composition of gases.
Pyrometer
 Introduction
 Pyrometer is a technique for measuring temperature
without Physical contact.
 It is a technique for determining a body’s temperature by
measuring its Electromagnetic radiation.

 Types of Pyrometer :
 Radiation pyrometer
 Optical pyrometer
 Infrared pyrometer
Radiation Pyrometer
 Principle :
Operation of radiation pyrometer is based on the
measurement of radiant energy emitted by the body.
 Construction :
 Lens to focus radiated energy from body to receiving
element.
 Receiving element ( thermocouple).
 Temperature indicator, recorder or controller.
Working
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

 Ability to measure high  Non linear scale.

temperature.  Possible error due to
 No physical contact with pressure to intervening gases
target of measurement. or vapour that absorb
 Fast response speed. radiation .
 High output and moderate  Emissivity of target material
cost. affecting measurement
Applications
 Used for temperature above the physical operating
range of thermocouples.
 Used in the environment which limit the life of
thermocouple.
 Mostly used in industries for temperature
measurement.