Characterize the temperature sensor (RTD)

Aim: To understand the working principle of RTD

Objective:

1. Study static and dynamic characteristics of RTD

2. Study effect of various parameters on RTD performance

Prerequisite:
Before performing the practical on RTD one must be well versed with:

1. Importance of temperature measurement.

2. Various units of temperature measurement and conversion of one
unit to another.
3. Knowledge of various methods of temperature measurement.
4. Meaning of terms like process lag, positive and negative
temperature coefficient, negative temperature, virtual temperature,
etc.
5. Knowledge of active and passive transducers.

Temperature:
Temperature is a measure of the average heat or thermal energy of the
particles in a substance. Since it is an average measurement, it does not
depend on the number of particles in an object. In that sense it does not
depend on the size of it. For example, the temperature of a small cup of
boiling water is the same as the temperature of a large pot of boiling
water. Even if the large pot is much bigger than the cup and has millions
and millions more water molecules. The basic unit of temperature (T) in
the International System of Units (SI) is the Kelvin (K). The commonly
used other units of temperature are Degree Celsius (°C) and Degree
Fahrenheit (°F).

Electrical Resistance:
The electrical resistance of an object is a measure of its opposition to the
flow of an electric current. For a wide range of materials and conditions,
the electrical resistance does not depend on the amount of current
through or the potential difference (voltage) across the object. That
means the resistance R is constants for the given temperature and
material. Therefore, the resistance of an object can be defined as the
ratio of voltage to current, in accordance with
Ohm’s Law: R = V/I
The unit of resistance is ohm (Ω).

Temperature Measurement using RTD

For measurement of Temperature number of sensors are available. One
of the most linear, stable, and reproducible temperature sensors is the
RTD, Resistance Temperature Detector. In RTD, the output resistance
changes with temperature. RTD is a positive temperature coefficient
device. The resistance of the metal increases with temperature. The
resistive property of the metal is called its resistivity. The resistive
property defines length and cross sectional area required to fabricate an
RTD of a given value. The resistance is proportional to length and
inversely proportional to the cross sectional area and is given by the
relationship
R = ρl/A

Where 'R' is resistance of the metal, 'ρ' is the resistivity of the metal, 'l' is
the length of the metal and 'A' is the area of cross section of the metal.
Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)
Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD), as the name implies, is a
sensor used to measure temperature by correlating the resistance with
temperature. Most RTD elements consist of a length of fine coiled wire
wrapped around a ceramic or glass core. The element is usually quite
fragile, so it is often placed inside a sheathed probe to protect it. The
RTD element is made from a pure metals as mentioned below. The
material property to have predictable change in resistance as the
temperature changes, is used to determine temperature.
Commonly used RTD Materials:

 Platinum (most popular and accurate)

 Nickel
 Copper
 Balco (rare)
 Tungsten (rare)

Temperature calculations:
RTDs are manufactured from metals whose resistance increases with
temperature. Within a limited temperature range, its resistance increases
linearly with temperature: Rt = R0[1+ α (t-t0)]
Where: Rt = resistance at temperature 't'
R0 = resistance at a reference temperature ( Generally 0 degree C)
α = temperature coefficient of resistance (°C‾1)
Setting t0 to 0°C and rearranging to the standard linear y = m*x+b form,
it is clear that resistance vs. temperature is linear with a slope equal to
R / R0 = α*t + 1

Theoretically, any metal can be used to measure temperature. The metal

selected should have a high melting point and an ability to withstand the
effects of corrosion. Therefore Platinum is selected for most of the
applications. Its desirable characteristics include chemical stability,
availability in a pure form, and electrical properties that are highly
reproducible.
Solving Equation (1) for α: α = (R100 - R0) /( R0 *(t-t0))
Where,
t = 100°C & t0 = 0°C
For platinum, α = 0.00385 Ω/Ω/°C
The relationship between resistance and temperature of RTD can be
approximated by the Callendar-Van Dusen equation which is given by,
Rt / R0 = 1+ α [ t – δ((t/100)-1)(t/100) –β((t/100)-1)(t/100)3]
Where,
t=temperature(°C)
Rt=Resistanceattemperaturet°C
R0=Resistanceat0°C
α = Constant ( 0.00385Ω/Ω/°C )
δ & β are Linearization coefficients, where β = 0 for t > 0°C

δ & β are Linearization coefficients, where β = 0 for t > 0°C

The Callendar Van Dusen Equation is used in the standard IEC 751
which is the most popular standard used for RTD. The equation for RTD
given in IEC 751 is:
Rt =R0 [1+ At+ Bt2 +C(t-100)t3 ]

Where, A,B,C are constants and C = 0 for t > 0°C.

The values of A,B and C for α = 0.00385 are
A = 3.908310-3°C‾1
B = -5.77510-7°C‾2
C = -4.183*10-12°C‾4
Platinum RTDs are defined by standards such as DIN 43760 (BS1904),
IEC 751-1983, and JIS C1604.

RTD Materials:
The criterions for selecting a material for an RTD:

 Malleability to form small wires.

 Linear relationship of resistance and temperature.
 Repeatability and stability.
 Corrosion.
 Low cost
 Easy availability
RTD Performance Specifications:
1. Temperature Coefficient :It is the change in resistance of the
material per degree change in temperature. This value should be
as high as possible to give higher accuracy of temperature
measurement.

1. Accuracy:It is the comparison of measurement with standard

results.That is how good the data is when compared with a
recognized standard. The accuracy of a measurement system is
the degree of closeness of measurements of a quantity to its actual
(true) value.
2. Stability: It is the measurement of drift over time. Stability is
affected by sensor design. Well designed, high quality sensor will
have less drift while high vibration, mechanical wear and tear and
thermal shock will degrade the stability.
 3. Interchangeability: Interchangeability is the measure of change in
base tolerance and temperature coefficient from sensor to sensor.
This is important when replacing a sensor, to insure that the
system retains its performance characteristics without any need for
re-calibration.
4. Response time: Response time is time the sensor takes to react to
temperature changes in a process.

Factors that influence the sensor response:

 Thermal lag when combined with the thermowell

 Immersion length
 Flow velocity of the process fluid
 Process fluid transients
 Fluid boundary or film on sensing surface
 Influences from wall or vessel
 Environmental factors

6. Insulation resistance: It is the largest cause of errors and failure of

RTD. The causes can be an inadequate seal, high humidity
environment, or a failed seal. In some cases baking the RTD
assembly will increase the insulation resistance and recover the
RTD.
7. Self heating: The very small cross-sectional areas in the sensing
elements will tend to heat when electrical current is applied. Most
RTDs are specified to be operated with a current of 1 milliampere
or less.
Procedure

Expt. 1: Static Characteristics of RTD

Aim: Study the change in resistance of RTD probe depending on the process temperature.

Step by step Procedure:

1. Select the material of RTD you want to use. Temperature

coefficient (α) for the same will be displayed on the screen. Note
this value.
2. Click on ' R0' to get the value of R0 for selected RTD. Note the
same.
3. Click on 'Get Temp'. The temperature for which Rt is to be found
will be displayed.
4. Using formula calculate the value of Rt and enter the answer in the
box provided (upto 2 decimals with rounding off). Submit the
answer using submit button.
5. If your calculation is correct, go to step 3. Repeat the procedure
min 3 times.
6. If your calculation is wrong, you will be asked to repeat the same.
Please refer to GET FORMULA tab and verify your calculations.
7. After finishing minimum 3 set of correct readings, you can see the
graph by clicking on 'Plot'.
8. When the graph is displayed click Next tab to repeat the procedure
with different reference resistance(R0) value and with different
materials.
9. Minimum 3 calculations are necessary to plot the graph.
10. Study the graphs for RTD performance with different
reference resistance values and different materials

Expt. 2: Dynamic characteristics

Aim: Study the dynamic response of RTD probe

In this experiment, Platinum RTD is used for calculating the time

constant values. The response of RTD for a step change in the input is
plotted. The maximum temperature the RTD attains, is same as the
temperature displayed by 'GET Temp' tab.

Step by step Procedure:

1. Select the RTD as bare element (make it on). With the standard
dimensions considered for bare element, the time constant value
will get displayed in the output box.

Verify this by using equation given under Get formula tab.

2. Now select the RTD dynamic performance with sheath. Select

appropriate material and thickness value. The time constant value
will get displayed in the output box.

Verify this by using equation given under formula tab.

3. Observe the change in the time constant values with different
materials with different thickness.
4. Now select the RTD dynamic performance with thermowell. Select
appropriate material, thickness and filling material. The time
constant value will get displayed in the output box when thermowell
material, thickness and filling material is selected.
Verify this by using equation given under formula tab.

5. Observe the change in the time constant values with different

materials with different thickness.

Also see the effect of change in filling material.

6. Click on plot button to observe the dynamic response (Time Vs
Temperature).
7. Observe and verify response time of RTD which is generally 5
times the time constant value.
After completion of both the parts, you can proceed to Post Test to find
out if you have understood all aspects of the experiment.