School Of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, NUST

ME-327 Instrumentation & Measurement Lab (Spring 2023)

Experiment 3: Temperature Measurement (IC & RTD Sensor)

Objectives:

1. To understand the working principle of an IC and platinum RTD sensor for temperature
measurement
2. To investigate the relationship between temperature and resistance in a platinum RTD
sensor.
3. To calibrate the temperature measurement system to improve accuracy.
4. To gain practical skills in designing and setting up a temperature measurement system
using an IC and a platinum RTD sensor.
Learning Outcomes:

 Knowledge of the principles of temperature measurement using an IC and platinum RTD sensor.
 Familiarity with the advantages and disadvantages of different types of temperature
measurement systems.
 Understanding of the importance of safety precautions when handling temperature
measurement equipment.
Apparatus:

1. DIGIAC 1750 Transducer and Instrumentation Trainer

2. 4mm Connecting Leads
3. Digital Multimeter

Figure 1: DIGIAC-1750 Trainers

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The IC Temperature Sensor:

This is an integrated circuit containing 16 transistors, 9 resistors and 2 capacitors contained in a

transistor type package. The device reference number is LM335, and it provides an output of
10mV/°K. Measurements of the output voltage therefore indicate the temperature directly in degrees
Kelvin (°K). For example, at a temperature of 20°C (293°K) the output voltage will be 2.93V.

Figure 2: Circuit Arrangement for IC Temperature Sensor

Platinum RTD:

Figure 3: Platinum RTD Construction

The construction of the Platinum RTD Transducer consisting of a thin film of platinum deposited on a
ceramic substrate and having gold contact plates at each end that contact the film. The platinum film is
trimmed with a laser beam to achieve a resistance of 100Ω at 0°C. The resistance of the film increases
as the temperature increases. It has a positive temperature coefficient (PTC). The increase in resistance
is linear, the relationship between resistance changes and temperature rise being 0.385Ω/°C.

Rt = R0 + 0.385t

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Where:

Rt = resistance at temperature t°C

R0 = resistance at 0°C (= 100Ω)

Procedure (IC Temperature Sensor):

Figure 4: IC Temperature Sensor Connections

1. Connect a voltmeter to the circuit (as shown in Fig 4), switch the power supply ON and note
the output voltage, this (x100) representing the ambient temperature in °K. Record the value in
table.
2. Connect the +12V supply to the heater input socket and note the voltage reading every minute
until the value stabilizes. Record the values in T\table. (Note °C = °K - 273.)

Procedure (Platinum RTD Temperature Sensor):

Figure 5: RTD Connections

1. Set the slider of the 10kΩ slide resistor to mid-way and connect the circuit as shown in Fig 5,
with the digital multimeter set to its 200mV or 2V DC range.

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 2. Switch ON the power supply and adjust the slider control so that the voltage drop across the
platinum RTD is 108mV (0.108V) as indicated by the digital multimeter.
3. This calibrates the platinum RTD for an assumed ambient temperature of 20°C, since the
resistance of the RTD at 20°C will be 108Ω. Note that the voltage reading across the RTD in
mV is the same as the RTD resistance in Ω, since the current flowing must be 0.108/108 =
1mA.
4. Connect the voltmeter, set to its 20V DC range, to the INT output of the IC Temperature
Sensor. This represents the RTD temperature (voltage x 100 = temperature in °K). Record the
temperature in the first column of table.
5. Connect a second voltmeter, set to its 200mV range, to measure the voltage output from the
RTD transducer. This voltage (in mV) is equal to the RTD resistance (in Ω). Record the
resistance in the first column of the table.
6. Connect the +12V supply to the Heater Element input and record the RTD temperature (in °K)
and RTD resistance (in Ω) after each of the times given in the table.
7. Convert the RTD Temperature into °C (°K - 273) and add to table.

Readings and Calculations:

For IC Temperature Sensor

Time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Min)

Voltage 0.11 0.112 0.115 0.118 0.12 0.121 0.122 0.123 0.1242 0.1247 0.125
(V)

Temperature 299.12 304.32 312.11 319.9 325.1 327.7 330.29 332.89 336.01 337.31 338.09
(K)

Temperature 25.97 31.17 38.96 46.75 51.95 54.55 57.14 59.74 62.86 64.16 64.94
(oC)

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For Platinum RTD

Time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Min)
RTD 302 305 313 319 324 328 330 333 335 336 337
Temperature
(K)
RTD 28.85 31.85 39.85 45.85 50.85 54.85 56.85 59.85 61.85 62.85 63.85
Temperature
(oC)
RTD 110 112 115 118 120 121 122 123 124.2 124.7 125
Resistance
(Ω)

Graph:
Plot the graph of RTD resistance (Ω) against temperature (°C).

RTD Resistance vs Temperature

130

125
RTD Resistance(Ω)

120

115

110

105

100
25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
RTD Temperature(oC)

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Results and Discussion:

For IC Temperature Sensor:

When we observe the experimental values of voltage and temperature obtained for an IC temperature
sensor, then it shows that the relationship between voltage and temperature for an IC temperature sensor
is typically linear, with an increase in temperature resulting in a proportional increase in voltage output.
In this experimental test, this relationship between voltage and temperature was observed by measuring
the voltage output of the sensor at different temperatures. The resulting values typically showed a
straight line due to linear relation, with the slope of the line corresponding to the sensitivity of the
sensor.
The linearity of this relationship makes IC temperature sensors useful for a variety of applications where
temperature measurement is required, such as in electronic devices or environmental monitoring
systems. Additionally, the ability to measure temperature through voltage output allows for easy
integration with other electronic components, making IC temperature sensors a popular choice in many
applications.

For Platinum RTD:

The results from the experimental values of temperature and resistance for platinum RTD indicate that
there is almost linear relationship between the temperature and resistance values for the platinum RTD.
The graph plotted from the data clearly shows this relationship, as the data points form a nearly straight
line.
This linear relationship between temperature and resistance is a well-known characteristic of platinum
RTDs, which are commonly used in temperature measurement applications. As the temperature
increases, the resistance of the platinum RTD also increases linearly, according to the platinum
resistance-temperature equation. This allows for accurate and reliable temperature measurement based
on the RTD's resistance readings.
The fact that the experimental data closely follows this linear relationship further confirms the accuracy
of the platinum RTD as a temperature measurement device. Overall, the results demonstrate that the
platinum RTD is a dependable and precise tool for measuring temperature, with a linear relationship
between temperature and resistance that is clearly evident from the plotted graph.
Accuracy and Precision of Platinum RTD and IC Temperature Sensor:
Temperature sensors based on integrated circuits (IC) and resistance temperature detectors (RTD) both
have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to accuracy and precision.
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In general, RTDs tend to have higher accuracy and precision compared to IC temperature sensors. This
is because RTDs are made of materials with a well-defined resistance-temperature relationship, such as
platinum or nickel. As the temperature changes, the resistance of the RTD changes in a predictable way,
allowing for highly accurate temperature measurements.
On the other hand, IC temperature sensors use voltage or current measurements to estimate temperature.
While these sensors can be highly accurate and precise, they are often limited by the inherent variability
of electronic components and the circuitry used to measure temperature. Additionally, IC temperature
sensors may have a limited temperature range, whereas RTDs can typically measure temperatures over a
much wider range.
In terms of precision, RTDs typically have better long-term stability and repeatability compared to IC
temperature sensors. This means that RTDs are more likely to produce consistent temperature
measurements over time and are less susceptible to drift or changes due to environmental factors.

Conclusion:

Overall, the relationship between temperature and voltage is almost linear for IC temperature sensor as
well as same relation between temperature and resistance for platinum RTD. So, both IC temperature
sensors and RTDs can provide accurate temperature measurements, RTDs are generally considered to be
more accurate and precise due to their well-defined resistance-temperature relationship and greater long-
term stability. However, the choice of temperature sensor ultimately depends on the specific application
and temperature range needed, as well as factors such as cost and size constraints. The errors in the
experimental values significantly may be due to human, environmental factors and poor calibration of
instruments which can be minimized to a certain level by training of humans who are handling the
instruments, controlling environment conditions and providing suitable conditions along with proper
calibration of instruments.

Task 1: What are some common applications of IC temperature sensors

and platinum RTD sensors?
Some of the common applications of IC Temperature Sensors and Platinum RTD Sensors are
given as:

 Used to measure automotive/industrial engine oil temperature.

 Used as an oil level sensor.

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  Used as an intake air temperature sensor.

 Used as temperature sensor for amplifiers, transistor gain stabilizers etc. in

communication and instrumentation.
Readings, Graph Results & Conclusion Task 1 Total
& Calculations Discussion
3 3 2 2 10

 Used in power electronics, computer, consumer electronics, food handling and

processing, industrial electronics, medical electronics, military, HVAC and aerospace
etc.

Marks Distribution:

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