EEL 201 Circuits & Measurements Lab
EXPERIMENT 12
DETERMINATION OF CHARACTERISTICS OF
THERMISTOR, THERMOCOUPLE AND RTD
(a) Determination of Characteristics of Thermocouple
AIM:
To calibrate the instrument and verify obtained temperature with actual temperature reading.
Also, to plot the various graphs- (i) indicator reading Vs actual reading (ii) voltage Vs
temperature.
THEORY
A thermocouple is a very simple temperature sensor that operates based on the seebeck
effect. The Seebeck effect is the electromotive force (emf) that develops across two points
of an electrically conducting material when there is a temperature difference between them.
The emf is called the Seebeck emf (or thermo/thermal/thermoelectric emf). The ratio
between the emf and temperature difference is the Seebeck coefficient.
A thermocouple measures the difference in potential across a hot and cold end for two
dissimilar materials. This potential difference is proportional to the temperature difference
between the hot and cold ends.
Thermocouple consists of two wires composed of dissimilar metals that are joined at both
ends. When one of the end is heated, there is a continuous current which flows in the
thermoelectric circuit. If this circuit is broken at the center, the net open circuit voltage (the
Seebeck voltage) which is a function of the junction temperature and the composition of
the two metals is produced. Which means that when the junction of the two metals is
heated or cooled a voltage is produced that can be correlated back to the
temperature.
The electric potential is usually
measured by introducing a special
junction in an electric circuit. The
voltage across terminal M-N can
be represented approximately by
an empirical equation having the
form. E0=C1(T1-T2)+C2(T12-T22)
Where C1 andC2 are thermoelectric constants that depends on the material used to form the
junctions.T1 andT2 are junction temperatures.
Department of Electrical & Electronics
EEL 201 Circuits & Measurements Lab
EXPERIMENTAL SET UP
TABULAR COLUMN:
Thermometer Thermocouple Voltage
[Link] Reading Reading PERCENTAGE
(mV) ERROR
(Actual (Indicated ERROR (%)
Reading) Reading)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS: SAMPLE GRAPHS
Department of Electrical & Electronics
EEL 201 Circuits & Measurements Lab
PROCEDURE
1. Check the connection made and switch on the instrument by the rocker switch at front
panel. The display glows to indicate the instrument is ON.
2. Allow the instrument in ON position for 10 minutes for initial warm up
3. Fill 3/4th of the kettle with water and place sensors and thermometer inside the kettle.
4. Note down the initial water temperature using thermometer.
5. Adjust the initial set potentiometer in the front panel till the display reads initial water
temperature
6. Switch on the kettle and wait till the water boils note down the reading in the
thermometer and set the final set potentiometer till the display reads boiling water
temperature
7. Remove the sensor from the boiling water immerse it in the cold water.
8. Set the cold- water temperature using initial set potentiometer.
9. Repeat the process till the display reads the exact boiling water and coldwater
temperature. This completes the calibration process.
10. Now fill the kettle with cold water and reheat the water. Now the display starts showing
exact temperature rise in the kettle.
11. Note down the readings for every 100C rise in temperature and tabulate the readings in
the tabular column for indicator reading and the thermometer reading.
RESULT
The instrument was calibrated the instrument and verified obtained temperature with
actual temperature reading. Also, plotted the various graphs- (i) indicator reading Vs actual
reading (ii) voltage Vs temperature.
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Department of Electrical & Electronics
EEL 201 Circuits & Measurements Lab
Department of Electrical & Electronics
EEL 201 Circuits & Measurements Lab
(b) Determination of Characteristics of RTD
AIM:
To calibrate the instrument and verify obtained temperature with actual temperature reading.
Also, to plot the various graphs- (i) indicator reading Vs actual reading (ii) voltage Vs
temperature.
THEORY :
Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) is one of the most accurate sensors used to
measure temperature. Many RTD elements consist of a length of fine wire wrapped around
a ceramic or glass core but other constructions are also used. The RTD wire is a pure
material, typically platinum, nickel, or copper. The material has an accurate
resistance/temperature relationship which is used to provide an indication of temperature.
As RTD elements are fragile, they are often housed in protective probes.
The setup consists of a RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) and its signal conditioning
circuit. The RTD is placed in a temperature changing environment whose temperature is
need to be measured. The two terminals of the RTD is connected to one arm of the
Wheatstone bridge. When its resistance changes due to change in temperature an
unbalanced output voltage is developed at the bridge output. This voltage is applied to a
differential amplifier and subsequently it is processed and calibrated to display the
temperature directly in oC.
The change in resistance of the conductor with temperature is given by the expression,
∆R/R0=٨ 1 (T-T0)+٨2(T-T0)2+ ----------------+٨n(T-T0)n
Where T0 is the reference temp. R0 is the resistance at temp.T0
٨1,٨2,------------٨n are temp. coefficient of resistance.
Department of Electrical & Electronics
EEL 201 Circuits & Measurements Lab
EXPERIMENTAL SET UP
TABULAR COLUMN:
Thermometer RTD Reading Voltage
[Link] Reading (Indicated PERCENTAGE
(mV) ERROR
(Actual Reading) ERROR (%)
Reading)
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS:
Department of Electrical & Electronics
EEL 201 Circuits & Measurements Lab
PROCEDURE
1. Check the connection made and switch on the instrument by the rocker switch at front
panel. The display glows to indicate the instrument is ON.
2. Allow the instrument in ON position for 10 minutes for initial warm up
3. Fill 3/4th of the kettle with water and place sensors and thermometer inside the kettle.
4. Note down the initial water temperature using thermometer.
5. Adjust the initial set potentiometer in the front panel till the display reads initial water
temperature
6. Switch on the kettle and wait till the water boils note down the reading in the
thermometer and set the final set potentiometer till the display reads boiling water
temperature
7. Remove the sensor from the boiling water immerse it in the cold water.
8. Set the cold- water temperature using initial set potentiometer.
9. Repeat the process till the display reads the exact boiling water and cold-water
temperature. This completes the calibration process.
10. Now fill the kettle with cold water and reheat the water. Now the display starts showing
exact temperature rise in the kettle.
11. Note down the readings for every 100C rise in temperature and tabulate the readings in
the tabular column for indicator reading and the thermometer reading.
RESULT
The instrument was calibrated and the obtained reading was verified with the actual
reading. The various graphs have also been plotted.
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Department of Electrical & Electronics
