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Instrumeb
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RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE DETECTOR (RTD):

Detector (RTD) is a temperature sensor that
is based on the
A Resistance Temperature these devices
with temperature. Metals used in
principles is metal resistance increasing sensitive, and very expensive,
to
from PLATINUM (PT), which is very repeatable, quite
and less expensive.
nickel, which is not quite repeatable, more sensitive,
values of do,
SENSITIVITY: -
An estimate of RTD sensitivity can be noted from typical
For platinum, this number is
the linear fractional change in resistance with temperature.
and for nickel a typical value is 0.005/deg.
typically on the order of 0.004/ deg. celcius,
0.42 would be expected for a 10092
celcius. Thus with platinum, e.g., a change of only
RTD if the temperature is changed. By 1C. Usually, a specification will provide
resistance versus temperature or as a table of
calibration information either as a graph of
is
materials, however, this
values from which the sensitivity can be determined. For same

because it is a function of resistivity.

relatively constant
time of 0.5 to 5s or more. The
RESPONSE TIME: -In general, RTD has a response
**

slowness of response is due principally to the slowness of

the thermal equilibrium with its
environment. Generally, time constants are specified either for a "free air" condition (or
its equivalent) or an "oil bath" condition (or its equivalent)
& in later, a
In the former case, there is a poor thermal contact and hence slow response
numbers yield a of response times,
good thermal contact & fast response. These range
depending on the application.

CONSTRUCTION: - An RTD is simply a length of, wire whose resistance is to be

monitored as a function of temperature. The construction is typically such that the wire is
wound on a form (in a coil) to achieve small size & improve thermal conductivity to
decrease response time. In many cases, the coil is protected from the environment by a
sheath or a protective tube that is inevitably increases response time at may be necessary
in hostile environments. A loosely applied standard sets the resistance at multiples of
1002 for a 0 deg. celcius.

SIGNAL CONDITIONING: - In view of very small fractional changes of resistance

with temperature (0.4 %), the RTD is generally used in a bridge circuit .Following fig,
illustrates the essential features of such systems. The compensation line in the R3 leg of
bridge is required when the lead lengths are so long that thermal gradients along the RTD
leg may cause changes in line resistance. These changes show up as false information,
suggesting changes in RTD resistance
By using the compensation line, the same resistance changes also appear on the R3 side
of the bridge. & Cause no net shift in the bridge null.

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Differential
Ampliler
0Offset
Output

R1
Power
Supply Compensation
R3 Lines

RTD

fig.2: Compensation Lines In The Typical RTD Signal Con ditioning Circuit

DISSIPATION CONSTANT:

Because the RTD is a resistance, there is an IR power dissipated by the device

itself that causes a slight heating effect, a
self heating. This may also cause an erroneous
reading or even upset the environment in delicate measurement conditions. Thus the
current through the RTD must be
keep sufficiently low & constant to avoid
self-heating.
Typically, dissipation constant is provided in RTD specifications. This number relaes the
power required to raise the RTD temperature by one degree of temperature. Thus, 25
mW/deg.celcius dissipation constant shows that if FR power losses in the RTD equal
25m W, the RTD will be heated by 1 deg. Celsius.
The dissipation constant is usually specified under two conditions: free air & well
stirred oil bath. This is because of the difference in
capacity of the medium to carry heat
away from the device. The self heating temperature rise can be found from the
power
dissipated by the RTD, and the dissipation constant from,

AT=P/PD
Where AT= temperature rise because of
self-heating.
P =power dissipated in the RTD from the
Pp= dissipation constant of the RTD
circuit in Watt.
in W/°C

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Instrum
R t i o nPeop

1990

SINCE

RANGE:

The effective range of RTDs principally depends on the type of wire used as the
active element. Thus, a typical platinum RTD may have a range of -100 to 650 deg
Celsius, whereas an RTD constructed from nickel might typically have a specified range
of-180 to 300'C.

Pt

fig.3: Temp degree Centigrade

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SINCE 1 9

OPERATING PROCEDURE:
Water:
Step Response in
Thermostat to attain
with Water and Start the Heater. Use
1) Fill the Water Bath
desired Temperature.
the Bath for uniform temperature.
2) Insert Stirer in
indicated by the RTD
3) Note the room Temperature start the timer and
note the
a bath of hot water. Simultaneously
4) Insert the RTD in until the new steady state is reached.
indicated temperaure as a function of time
the RTD into a Cold
Now remove the RTD from the hot water bath and Insert
5) the stopwatch and note the
indicated temperature
Water Bath, simultaneously start
is reached.
as a funcuon of
üme until a new steady state

Air:
Step Response in
indicated by the RTD.
1) Note the room Temperature the timer and note the
Insert the RTD in a bath of hot water. Simultaneously start
2) of time until the new steady
state is reached.
function
indicated temperarure as a air,
bath and hold it in he
Now remove RTD from the hot water
the
3) and note the indicated temperature
as a

simultaneously start the stopwatch

state is reached.
funcuon of üme until the new steady

Procedure for Thermometer.

Repeat the same

CONCLUSION:

infinity, response üme

curve

1) It canbe concluded that as üme approaches

approaches final desired steady
state response.
transfer
air is more than it is in water because heat
2) The time taken for cooling in
coefficient of air is less than that of
water.

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