Basics of Thermocouples and RTD Instrumentation Tools

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INSTRUMENTATION TOOLS

Basics of Thermocouples and RTD

Thermocouples
What are Thermocouples?
Thermocouples are temperature sensors. They operate under the principle that
the junction of two dissimilar metals (forming a closed circuit) produces a
measurable voltage (electromotive force) when the two ends of the thermocouple
are at different temperatures (see Figure 1). Because thermocouples have simple
construction and are superior in reliability, they have been used as industrial
temperature sensors in a wide range of fields. Moreover, connecting a measuring
instrument (recorders,DCS,PLC etc.) to one end of a circuit allows you to measure
potential difference (electromagnetic force) (see Figure 2).

There are many types of thermocouples to measure diffrent range of temperature.

Commonly-used types with superior characteristics have been standardized by
JIS, IEC standards, and others. The following summarizes the typical
thermocouple types (generally represented by symbols) and their features
(advantages and disadvantages).
Thermocouples Advantages & Disadvantages

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A thermocouple is comprised of at least two metals joined together to form two

junctions. One is connected to the body whose temperature is to be measured;
this is the hot or measuring junction. The other junction is connected to a body of
known temperature; this is the cold or reference junction. Therefore the
thermocouple measures unknown temperature of the body with reference to the
known temperature of the other body.
Working Principle
The working principle of thermocouple is based on three effects, discovered by
Seebeck, Peltier and Thomson. They are as follows:
1) Seebeck effect: The Seebeck effect states that when two different or unlike metals
are joined together at two junctions, an electromotive force (emf) is generated at the two
junctions. The amount of emf generated is different for different combinations of the
metals.
2) Peltier effect: As per the Peltier effect, when two dissimilar metals are joined
together to form two junctions, emf is generated within the circuit due to the different

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temperatures of the two junctions of the circuit.

3) Thomson effect: As per the Thomson effect, when two unlike metals are joined
together forming two junctions, the potential exists within the circuit due to temperature
gradient along the entire length of the conductors within the circuit.
In most of the cases the emf suggested by the Thomson effect is very small and it can
be neglected by making proper selection of the metals. The Peltier effect plays a
prominent role in the working principle of the thermocouple.

Thermocouple: How it Works

The general circuit for the working of thermocouple is shown in the figure. It
comprises of two dissimilar metals, A and B. These are joined together to form two
junctions, p and q, which are maintained at the temperatures T1 and T2
respectively. Remember that the thermocouple cannot be formed if there are not
two junctions. Since the two junctions are maintained at different temperatures
the Peltier emf is generated within the circuit and it is the function of the
temperatures of two junctions.
If the temperature of both
the junctions is same,
equal and opposite emf
will be generated at both
junctions and the net
current flowing through the
junction is zero. If the
junctions are maintained at
different temperatures, the
emfs will not become zero
and there will be a net current flowing through the circuit. The total emf flowing
through this circuit depends on the metals used within the circuit as well as the
temperature of the two junctions. The total emf or the current flowing through the
circuit can be measured easily by the suitable device.
The device for measuring the current or emf is connected within the circuit of the
thermocouple. It measures the amount of emf flowing through the circuit due to
the two junctions of the two dissimilar metals maintained at different
temperatures. The two junctions of the thermocouple and the device used for
measurement of emf (potentiometer) are shown.
Now, the temperature of the reference junctions is already known, while the
temperature of measuring junction is unknown. The output obtained from the
thermocouple circuit is calibrated directly against the unknown temperature. Thus
the voltage or current output obtained from thermocouple circuit gives the value of

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unknown temperature directly.

Resistance Temperature Detectors

What are Resistance Temperature Detectors?
Resistance temperature detectors (RTD) are
temperature sensors. They operate on the
principle that the resistivity of a metal
increases in proportion to its temperature.
A Platinum RTD uses platinum (Pt) for a
resistance temperature sensing element,
which has good temperature characteristics
and is linear and stable.
Among the various types of temperature sensors, Platinum RTDs have been used
widely with their high accuracy. In particular, Pt100 (resistance value at 0 is 100
ohm) has been popular worldwide. Nickel and copper are also used for RTDs.
Thermistors are employed as resistors.
Three types of wiring techniques are available: two-wire, three-wire, and
four-wire.

Moreover, a measuring circuit on the measuring instrument side differs depending

on each wiring techniques. Figures illustrated below explain the principles of the
three-wire technique most frequently used in the industrial measurement, and the
four-wire technique used for precision measurements.
a) Principle of the three-wire technique

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Lead resistance of r1 and r2 are perfectly matched, and therefore canceled in a

bridge circuit. Therefore, keeping the resistance of the three leads low and
uniform allows you to perform temperature measurements with few errors, even if
the leads between Rt and the measuring instrument are made longer.
b) Principle of the four-wire technique

A constant current is passed through r1 and r4, and voltage is measured at the
terminals of RTD, which is free from the effect of lead resistances in your
measurement.
measurements.

Therefore,

this

system

allows

accurate

temperature

If a RTD of the four-wire technique is connected to a measuring instrument of the

three-wire technique, disenabling one of the RTD leads in the four-wire technique
provides a simple configuration of temperature measurement. In this case,
keeping the resistance of the three leads low and uniform is required in the same
way as the three-wire technique. the unused lead must be terminated (insulated)
to avoid the effects of noise and others.
Also Read: Thermocouple : Calculate Temperature from millivolts

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POSTED BY S BHARADWAJ REDDY

Instrumentation Professional Working in a reputed Oil & Gas Company.

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