PRACTICE 1.

Thermometric properties

Objective.
To investigate the thermoelectric properties of a platinum resistance device, a
thermocouple, and a thermistor. To investigate the effect of temperature on a liquid-in-
glass device. To investigate the effect of temperature on a bi-metal thermometer.

Method.
To look at the changes in the properties (sensor output) of a range of temperature-sensitive
devices, using a heated water-bath.

Theory.
It is suggested that students read “Medición de Temperatura Chapter 2 in APUNTES DE
INSTRUMENTACIÓN INDUSTRIAL UTN`”, in addition to this theory section.

Several techniques are available to measure variations in temperature. All are made
possible because some measurable property of a device varies with temperature, such as
electrical resistance or volume.
Liquid filled thermometers:
Liquid filled thermometers make use of the associated expansion of a liquid due to an
increase in temperature. The most common type is the liquid-in-glass thermometer, which
relies on the expansion of the enclosed liquid being greater than the expansion of the glass
for any given temperature rise.
The thermometer consists of a capillary tube with a liquid-filled bulb, sealed such that
the tube contains only liquid and liquid vapor. On heating, the liquid expands relative to
the glass container and a column is pushed along the bore of the tube, displaying the
expansion as linear displacement. A scale along the tube, calibrated in units of
temperature, gives a direct reading of temperature.
Bi-metal thermometers:
Bi-metal thermometers rely on the differential expansion of two different metals. The
metals are fixed together in a strip with the result that the strip bends when it is heated or
cooled. The bi-metal strip is connected to a mechanical indicator or recording device,
such as a Bourdon gauge, which is calibrated directly in units of temperature
corresponding to the amount of bend in the strip.

Calibration is far from linear, due to the characteristic of the bi-metal strip. For this
reason, the bi-metal thermometer is suitable only for operation over short ranger of
temperature and suffers from lack of sensitivity at low readings. ln service, the range
should be selected so that the gauge remains within operational limits with the normal
operating point at approximately two thirds of full scale reading.

Resistance thermometers:
Resistance thermometers make use of metals such as nickel, copper, and tungsten, which
are good electrical conductors and have a resistance that increases with increasing
temperature. Due to its reliability, platinum is the most widely used and is specified in
the International Temperature scale for interpolation between the Oxygen point (1187 °C)
and the Antimony point (630.5 °C).
The element itself usually consists of a length of platinum wire trimmed to give an
accurate resistance of 100 Ω at °C. The wire is wound on to an insulated former and
protected by additional insulation, the whole assembly then being encased in a metal
sheath.

Thermistors:
Thermistors make use of semiconducting materials, where resistance decreases with
increasing temperature. The change in resistance with temperature is far greater than in
the case of pure metals, which means less sensitive instrumentation may be used. ln
addition, miniature bead thermistors may be manufactured which are so small that the
thermal response is virtually instantaneous, and the effects of thermal transfer between
the sensor and the system being measured are negligible.

Thermocouples:
Thermocouples rely on the existence of an electromotive force across the junction of two
unlike metals' which varies with the temperature of the junction. (review the theory)

Procedure:
Take an initial reading for each of the sensors. Record data manually, use the rotary
selector switch on the console to change the digital display between the sensor output
from the reference PRT, the industrial PRT, the thermocouple and the thermistor.
Readings from the bi-metal thermometer and the liquid-in-glass thermometer should be
taken directly from the scales on the devices themselves.
Switch on the heater and the stirrer.
As the water bath temperature rises, take readings from the test sensors at intervals of 5
°C, as indicated by the PT100 reference thermometer (operating range of reference
thermometer 40 °C to 110 °C).

Results
Tabulate your results under the following headings:

PT100 REF PT100 IND Thermocouple Thermistor Liquid-in- Bi-metal

Reading Reading Reading Reading Glass
(°C) (°C) (μV) (Ω) (°C) (°C)

Plot graphs of each set of sensor readings against the PT100 Reference sensor.
Conclusions
Hints
Describe the response of each sensor across the temperature range investigated.
Compare the results taken during heating with those obtained during cooling.
Comment on the suitability of each device for temperature measurement. Discuss the
advantages and limitations of each device, including comments on ease of measurement
and robustness. Suggest desirable properties to look for when choosing materials from
which to construct each type of sensor.