ELECTROTECHNICS

Types of temperature
measuring sensors

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 Objective: To recognize different types of temperature
measuring sensors.

Content:
1. Thermocouples
2. Infrared Sensors
3. Bimetallic Devices
4. Thermometers
5. Change-of-State Sensors

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 Did you know that…

In 1664, Robert Hooke proposed

that the freezing point of water be
zero, and temperatures be
measured from it. At about the same
time, Ole Roemer saw the need for
two fixed points. The points he
chose were Hooke's freezing point
and the boiling point of water.

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 1. Thermocouples

Thermocouples are voltage devices that

indicate temperature measurement with a
change in voltage. As temperature goes
up, the output voltage of the thermocouple
rises - not necessarily linearly.
Often the thermocouple is located inside a
metal or ceramic shield that protects it from
exposure to a variety of environments.

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 2. Infrared Sensors
They are non-contacting sensors: if you hold
up a infrared sensor to the front of your
desk, the sensor will tell you the temperature
of the desk by virtue of its radiation–
probably 68°F at normal room temperature.
In a non-contacting measurement of ice
water, it will measure slightly under 0°C
because of evaporation, which slightly
lowers the expected temperature reading.

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 3. Bimetallic Devices

They take advantage of the expansion of heated

metals. Two metals are bonded together and
mechanically linked to a pointer. When heated, one
side of the bimetallic strip will expand more than
the other. When geared to a pointer, the
temperature measurement is indicated.
Advantages: portability and independence from a
power supply. Disadvantages: lack of accuracy and
the temperature value cannot be recorded easily.

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 4. Thermometers

Well-known liquid expansion devices also

used for temperature measurement. They
come in two main classifications: mercury
and organic (usually red, liquid) types. The
mercury devices have certain limitations
when it comes to how they can be safely
transported or shipped because is
considered an environmental contaminant.

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 5. Change-of-State Sensors
Measure a change in the state of a material by a
change in temperature indicating it in °F and °C.
The white dot turns black when exceeding the
temperature shown. It is a nonreversible sensor
(remains black once it changes color). They are
useful when you need confirmation that temperature
did not exceed a certain level. Limitations: relatively
slow response time and not high accurate.
Advantages: small, rugged, nonelectrical indicator.

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 6. Silicon Diode

A device that has been

developed specifically for
the cryogenic temperature
range. A linear device where
the conductivity of the diode
increases linearly in the low
cryogenic regions.

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 7. RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)

As temperature changes, the resistance of

any metal changes as well. This difference in
resistance is what RTD temperature sensors
are based on. Platinum is the most common
and accurate material used to make RTDs.
Platinum RTDs are also referred to as PRTDs.
They are often available with a 100 Ω (PT100)
and 1000 Ω (PT1000) resistance at 0°C.

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 8. Semiconductor based ICs
1. Local temperature sensor: measure their own
die temperature by using the physical properties
of a transistor and can use either analog or
digital outputs. They sense the temperature on
printed circuit boards or the ambient air around it.
2. Remote digital temperature sensor: measure
the temperature of an external transistor. They
work like local temperature sensors by using the
physical properties of a transistor.

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 9. Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor

NTC is a thermally sensitive resistor that

exhibits a continuous, small, incremental
change in resistance correlated to variations in
temperature. It provides higher resistance at
low temperatures. As temperature increases,
the resistance drops incrementally, according to
its R-T table. Small changes reflect accurately
due to large changes in resistance per °C.

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 10. Semiconductor-based temperature sensors

Usually incorporated into integrated circuits (ICs),

they utilize two identical diodes with temperature-
sensitive voltage vs current characteristics that
are used to monitor changes in temperature.
They offer a linear response but have the lowest
accuracy of the basic sensor types. Also have
the slowest responsiveness across the narrowest
temperature range (-70 °C to 150 °C).

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 Quiz

1. Has been developed specifically for the cryogenic temperature range.

a. Silicon Diode b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD
2. They are based on the difference in resistance as the temperature of the metal changes.
a. Silicon Diode b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD
3. There are two types of it: local temperature sensor and remote digital temperature sensor.
a. Silicon Diode b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD
4. It provides higher resistance at low temperatures.
a. Semiconductor-based b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD
5. Usually incorporated into integrated circuits (ICs).
a. Semiconductor-based b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD

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 Quiz

1. Has been developed specifically for the cryogenic temperature range.

a. Silicon Diode b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD
2. They are based on the difference in resistance as the temperature of the metal changes.
a. Silicon Diode b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD
3. There are two types of it: local temperature sensor and remote digital temperature sensor.
a. Silicon Diode b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD
4. It provides higher resistance at low temperatures.
a. Semiconductor-based b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD
5. Usually incorporated into integrated circuits (ICs).
a. Semiconductor-based b. NTC c. ICs d. RTD

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 Conclusions
Temperature is defined as the energy level of matter that can be evidenced
by some change in that matter. Temperature measurement sensors have
one thing in common: they all measure temperature by detecting some
change in a physical characteristic. We use temperature sensors every day
for temperature control in buildings, water temperature regulation, to control
refrigerators, they are vital in industry, medicine and consumer electronics.
Each application may have a different need for temperature sensing. The
differences include what is measured (air, mass, or liquid), where it is
measured (inside or outside), and the temperature range that is measured.

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