THERMO-COUPLE

When two wires composed of dissimilar metals are joined at both ends and one of the ends is heated, there is a continuous current which flows in the thermoelectric circuit. Thomas Seebeck made this discovery in 1821.

 If this circuit is broken at the center, the net open circuit voltage (the Seebeck voltage) is a function of the junction temperature and the composition of the two metals.

The setup for thermocouple

 Current continues to flow as long as T2>T1.

Emf e= a1 + a2 () 2+.+ an () n Finally reduced to e= a1

 Thermocouples behaves according to thermo electric laws1. The application of heat to a single homogeneous metal in itself is not capable of producing electric current

2. Thermo electric emf is produced when when two junctions of 2 dissimilar homogenous metal kept at different temp ( emf not affected by temp. gradient)

Contd.....

3. Emf produced by 2 dissimilar metals having jns. at diff. Temp., emf developed will not be affected when a third metal is made a part of ckt. based on law of intermediate metals 4. Law of intermediate temp. Eac= Eab + Ebc Law of intermediate metals : states that net emf in a circuit remains unaltered if a third metal is introduced provided that the two junctions of third metals are at same temp.

Advantages

Disadvantages

High sensitivity to small temperature changes . Temperature measurements become more stable with use.

Limited temperature range. Some initial accuracy drift. Decalibration if used beyond the sensors temperature ratings. Lack of standards for replacement.

Copper or nickel extension wires can be used.

Thermocouple Applications
Plastic injection molding machinery. Food processing equipment. Semiconductor processing. Heat treating. Medical equipment. Industrial heat treating . Packaging equipment.

Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs)

Wire wound and thin film devices. Nearly linear over a wide range of temperatures. Can be made small enough to have response times of a fraction of a second. Require an electrical current to produce a voltage drop across the sensor

RTD Applications
Air conditioning and refrigeration servicing Furnace servicing Foodservice processing Medical research Textile production

RTDs
Advantages Disadvantages High cost Slowest response time Low sensitivity to small temperature changes Sensitive to vibration (strains the platinum element wire) Decalibration if used beyond sensors temperature ratings Somewhat fragile

Most stable over time Most accurate Most repeatable temperature measurement Very resistant to contamination corrosion of the RTD element