Module-2:

SENSORS AND SIGNAL CONDITIONING

EEE 4021
LECTURE 2:
INTRODUCTION TO RTDs AND THERMISTORS

Course Instructor:-
Dr. K.V.Lakshmi Narayana,
Associate Professor
SELECT,VIT,Vellore.
 Outline of Lecture
Introduction to RTDs
Fundamentals of RTD
Sensing Principle
Dynamic Model
Limitations
Advantages
 Applications of RTD
Introduction to Thermistors
 Fundamentals of Thermistor
Sensing Principle
Dynamic Model
Limitations
Advantages
 Types of thermistors
 Linearization of Thermistor
 Applications of Thermistor
Introduction to Resistive Temperature Detectors
(RTDs)
√ An RTD is a temperature detector based upon
a variation in electric resistance.
√ The commonest metal for RTD is platinum,
hence sometimes designated as PRT (platinum
resistance thermometer)
√ RTD is a positive temperature coefficient
device which means that its resistance
increases with temperature.
√ RTDs are made up of Platinum, Nickel, Copper,
Molybdenum etc.

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Fundamentals of RTDs-Sensing Principle
√ Resistance of metallic wire depends on
temperature. As temperature increases, the
resistance of metal wire also changes.
√ In general the relationship between resistance
and wide range of temperatures for metals is
given by
R  R0 (1  aT  bT ) 2

Where: R=Resistance at absolute temp. T

R0= Resistance at 00C
a and b are constants depends on
the materials.
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Fundamentals of RTDs-Dynamic Model
√ The relationship between resistance and limited range of
temperatures for metals is given by

R  R0 1   (T  T0 
Where: R=Resistance at absolute temp. T
R0= Resistance at T0
α =temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR)
 TCR can be calculated from the resistance measured at
two reference temperatures (e.g., 00C and 1000C).
R100  R0
 
R0 (1000 C  00 C )
√ TCR decreases for increasing temperature.
√ α= 0.00389 (Ω/Ω)/K-TCR of Platinum at 00C
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Fundamentals of RTDs-Dynamic Model
√ Dynamically, RTD behaves as a first order low-
pass system, because the resistor has a
significant heat capacity.

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Construction of RTD
 Resistive element consists of a no. of turns of
resistive wire wrapped around a hollow ceramic
former made up of silver core and covered with
protective cement. The ends of the resistive
element are welded to stiff copper leads that are
taken out to be connected in one of the arms of
the Wheatstone bridge circuit.

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Types of RTDS and their specifications

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Temperature range of RTDs
Temperature range of RTD depends on
the material used
 Platinum (in oC)= -200 to +850
 Copper (in oC)= -200 to +260
 Nickel (in oC)=-80 to +320
 Molybdenum (in oC)=-200 to +200

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Principal advantages of RTDs
 Platinum RTDs are highly sensitive (ten times
that of thermocouples) but among Pt, Cu and Ni
RTDs ,Ni RTD has highest sensitivity and Pt RTD
has lowest sensitivity.
 They have high repeatability, Long term stability
and high accuracy.
 Less expensive in the case of Copper or Nickel
based RTDs.
 RTDs use low-cost copper connections compared
to thermocouples and hence these are cheaper
than thermocouples.
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Applications of RTD
 Thin film platinum probes are extensively used
to control thermal processes in chemical
industry, in automobiles, in domestic
appliances (Ovens), and buildings (Central
heating systems).
 Platinum temperature probes are also used to
measure fluid velocity in the hot wire
anemometer.
 For temperature and humidity compensation.

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Thermal Resistive Sensor

Thermistor

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Introduction to Thermistor-Definition and Models

 Thermistor comes from “thermally sensitive

resistor” and applies to temperature dependent
resistors that are based not on conductors as the
RTD but on semiconductors.
 There are two models of Thermistor
1. NTC thermistor-Negative temperature
coefficient (Resistance decreases with rise in
temperature)
2. PTC thermistor-Positive temperature
coefficient (Resistance increases with rise in
temperature)-(i) posistors (ii) silistors
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Themistor Dynamic Model
 The temperature resistance characteristics of a
thermistor is given by the expression
1 1
(  )
RT  R0 e T T0

 Where R0=Resistance at the reference

temperature T0
RT=Resistance at the measured temperature T
B= A Characteristic temperature constant
depending upon the material of thermistor. Its
value lies between 2000K to 4000K.
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Introduction to Thermistor-Materials and construction

 Thermistors are made up of metallic oxides

such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, copper
etc.Thermistors are also made up of
semiconductors which have high negative
temperature coefficient of resistance.
 They are available in various sizes and each
may have a resistance ranging from 0.5Ω to
0.75M Ω
 The diameter of a thermistor is usually
0.15mm to 1.25mm and a resistivity of 10-9
to 109 Ω-cm.
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Different shapes for NTC Thermistors
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Thermistor types and Applications
 NTC thermistors are available in multiple
forms such as probe, foil, chip, bead and
some disc units are suitable for
temperature measurement
 Washer, rod and other disc units are
indented for temperature compensation
and control.
 Surface mount devices and thermistors
assemblies are used in biomedical
applications.
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Linearization of Thermistors

 The limitation of the thermistor is it exhibits

highly non-linear characteristic
 How to linearize the thermistor characteristic has
been a research topic since 30 years.
 Many passive, active and temperature to
frequency/time conversion methods are reported
in literature. Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Signal conditioning circuit for thermistor for
linearization (IEEE Transactions on Sensors-Dec-2013)

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
Linearization circuit for thermistor connection
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND
MEASUREMENT, VOL. 58, NO. 2, FEBRUARY 2009

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
General Characteristics of Frequently used
NTC thermistors

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 problems
Using the model RT= A exp(B/T) , determine A and B
for the MA200 NTC thermistor, which has 5000 Ω at
250 C and 1801.44 Ω at 500 C. Calculate the
sensitivity and á temperature coefficient of resistance
at 37.50 C.
(Answers: Sensitivity = 119 Ω/K; α = 0.04 (Ω/Ω)/K )

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
problems
 A given 500 Ω nickel RTD has α = 0.00618
(Ω/Ω)/K at 00C. It is used at temperatures
around 1000C, so we use the model .
Calculate its sensitivity and temperature
coefficient at 1000C, and determine the
resistance at 1000C and 1010C. (Answers:
Sensitivity=3.09 Ω/K; α100= 3.82 x 10-3
(Ω/Ω)/K, R100=809 Ω, R101=812 Ω )

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Applications of NTC Thermistors

b) Temperature Compensation
a) Temperature Measurement
The circuit (a) is suitable for measuring a The circuit (b) is used for temperature
temperature over a limited range for compensation for the undesired
example that of cooling water in cars. It temperature sensitivity of the copper
consists of a battery, a series adjustable relay coil. The copper has a positive
resistor, a thermistor and a micro ammeter. TCR. To compensate it NTC thermistor
Current in the circuit is a non linear function is connected in series with copper relay
of the temperature because of the coil to nullify the temperature sensitivity
thermistor, but the scale of the micro of the copper coil. This method is used
ammeter is marked accordingly. for deflecting coils in CROs.

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Applications of NTC Thermistors

c) Temperature Control
When the ambient temperature
rises above a given threshold, the d) Level Control
thermistor resistance decreases
enough to allow the flow of current
capable of switching on the relay.
The adjustable resistor permits
modification of the switching point.
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
 Applications of PTC Thermistors

1)Single Phase Motor Starting

2) Circuit for automatic

degaussing

Dr.K.V.L.Narayana
THANK YOU ONE AND ALL

Next Lecture 3
on
Magneto resistors and LDRs

End of Lecture 2
Dr.K.V.L.Narayana