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Temperature can be described as the property of an object that describes its hotness and coldness. A condition of a body by virtue of which heat is transferred to or from other bodies. Heat transfer takes place to equalize the temperature of two connected systems.
The law that is used in temperature measurement is known as zeroth law of thermodynamics. This law states: If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system then they all are also in thermal equilibrium with each other.
Temperature scales in common use are Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin scales. K = 0C + 273.15
0F
= (1.8) 0C + 32
A liquid in glass thermometer measures temperature by virtue of the thermal expansion of a liquid. These thermometers are used for temperature measurements from -200 to 750 0C. They are contact type thermometers.
This thermometer consists of a glass bulb (1), which is connected with a glass capillary tube (2).
A scale (3) in degree Celsius or Fahrenheit is placed behind the capillary tube.
The bulb, capillary tube and the scale are placed in a glass tube (4) to protect them against the damage.
A thermometric liquid (5) fills the bulb and a part of the capillary tube.
Advantages
They are simple in design. They are relatively highly
accurate
in
temperature measurement.
Disadvantages
They are delicate and can be easily break. Low visibility of the scale Not capable of distance transmission of a
This device consists of strips of two different metals A and B, bonded together. The physical phenomena employed in a bimetallic temperature sensor is the differential thermal expansion of two metals. When temperature changes the composite strip bends into a curved strip with the higher coefficient metal on the outside of the curve
Prepared By: MUHAMMAD MOEEN SULTAN Department of Mechanical Engineering UET Lahore, KSK Campus
The figure shows the construction and response of bimetallic sensor to an input signal. Iron-nickel alloy is often used as one of the metals as low expansion metal to increase sensitivity.
A plain bimetallic strip is somewhat insensitive, but the sensitivity is improved by using a longer strip in helix format as shown in figure. One end of the helix is attached to the casing and the other end which is free is connected to the pointer which sweeps over circular dial graduated in degrees of temperature.
strips
are
usually
Bimetal elements find a wide range of applications, mainly of the On-Off type (thermostats) in domestic oven, electric iron, refrigerators.
Advantages
They are low in cost. Stable operation over extended period of
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage is the inability to
Based on the principle of fluid expansion due to an increase in the pressure in a given volume of the temperature measuring system. As the temperature rise, the pressure of the gas changes and push the mercury in the vertical column to rise to the height h which can be calibrated in terms of temperature
Prepared By: MUHAMMAD MOEEN SULTAN Department of Mechanical Engineering UET Lahore, KSK Campus
Figure illustrates a simple constant volume gas thermometer. This apparatus is fragile, difficult to use and restricted to the laboratory.
It has a relatively large metal bulb (often stainless steel) instead of a glass. The necessary parts are bulb, tube, pressure sensing gauge and some sort of filling medium. Pressure thermometer are
The principle of resistance temperature detectors (RTD) is based on the variation of electrical resistance of metals with temperature. For this purpose several metals are used, namely platinum, copper, nickel. When temperature increases the resistance of these metals increases. Temperature function of resistance for metals in a narrow temperature interval can be expressed by a relationship: R = R0 [1 + a(T - T0]
Department of Mechanical Engineering UET Lahore, KSK Campus
For metals this coefficient is positive. Relationship between resistance of nickel, platinum and copper RTD and temperature. Platinum RTDs are used for temperature measurements from -220 to 850 C, copper RTD- from -50 to 150 C and Nickel RTD- from -215 to 320 C.
For measurements of resistance of RTDs several methods are used. Among them the most widely used is a method employing a Wheatstone bridge. In this case RTD is connected to the bridge by two connecting cables (conductors).
If semiconductors or heat-treated metallic oxides (oxides of cobalt, copper, iron, tin, titanium, etc) are used as the materials for producing temperature sensitive elements, then these temperature transducers are called thermistors (the name is derived from the term of thermally sensitive resistor). These oxides are compressed into the shape from the specially formulated powder. After that, the oxides are heat-treated to recrystallise them. As the result of this treatment the ceramic body becomes dense. The lead-wires are then attached to this sensor for maintaining electrical contact.
The size can range from extremely small bead, thin disc, thin chip or wafer to a large sized rod as shown below:
The figure shows relationship between temperature and resistance for a thermistor:
Thermistors have negative thermal coefficient of electrical resistance. When temperature increases the electrical resistance of thermistor decreases. They have a greater resistance change compared with RTDs in a given temperature range. Operating range of thermistor lies between -100 and 300 C Fairly low cost and high sensitivity.
Prepared By: MUHAMMAD MOEEN SULTAN Department of Mechanical Engineering UET Lahore, KSK Campus