Effect of Temperature on Resistance

In general, the resistance of a material

changes with the change in temperature. The
effect of temperature upon resistance varies
according to the type of material as
discussed below :
 Cont:
(i) The resistance of pure metals (e.g. copper,
aluminium) increases with the increase of
temperature. The change in resistance is fairly
regular for normal range of temperatures so
that temperature/ resistance graph is a straight
line as shown in Fig. (for copper). Since
the resistance of metals increases with
the rise in temperature, they have positive
temperature co-efficient of resistance.
Cont:
 Cont:
(ii) The resistance of electrolytes, insulators (e.g. glass,
mica, rubber etc.) and semiconductors (e.g. germanium,
silicon etc.) decreases with the increase in temperature.
Hence these materials have negative temperature co-
efficient of resistance.
(iii) The resistance of alloys increases with the rise in
temperature but this increase is very small and irregular.
For some high resistance alloys (e.g. Eureka, manganin,
constantan etc.), the change
in resistance is practically negligible over a wide range of
temperatures.
 Cont:
Fig. shows temperature/resistance graph for
copper which is a straight line. If this line is
extended backward, it would cut the
temperature axis at -234.5°C. It means that
theoretically, the resistance of copper wire is
zero at -234.5°C. However, in actual practice,
the curve departs (point A) from the straight
line path at very low temperatures.
 Temperature Co-efficient of Resistance

Consider a conductor having resistance R0 at

0°C and Rt at t °C . It has been found that in the
normal range of temperatures, the increase in
resistance (i.e. Rt - R0)
(i) is directly proportional to the initial
resistance i.e. Rt - R0 ∝ R0
Cont:
 Cont:
A little reflection shows that unit of αo will be
ohm/ohm°C i.e./°C. Thus, copper has a
temperature co-efficient of resistance of
0.00426/°C. It means that if a copper wire has a
resistance of 1 W at 0°C, then it will increase by
0.00426 W for 1°C rise in temperature i.e. it will
become 1.00426 W at 1°C. Similarly, if
temperature is raised to 10°C, then resistance will
become 1 + 10 × 0.00426 = 1.0426 ohms.
 Cont:
The following points may be noted carefully :
(i) Those substances (e.g. pure metals) whose
resistance increases with rise in temperature
are said to have positive temperature co-
efficient of resistance. On the other hand,
those substances whose resistance decreases
with increase in temperature are said to have
negative temperature coefficient of resistance.
Cont:
 Cont:
This relation is often utilised in determining the rise
of temperature of the winding of an electrical
machine. The resistance of the winding is measured
both before and after the test run. Let R1 and t1 be
the resistance and temperature before the
commencement of the test. After the operation of
the machine for a given period, let these values be
R2 and t2. Since R1 and R2 can be measured and t 1
(ambient temperature) and α0 are known, the value
of t2 can be calculated from eq. (iii).
 Cont:
The average rise in temperature of the
winding will be (t2 - t1)°C. at a temperature of
100°C, it will have a life expectancy of only
four years at a temperature of 110°C, of two
years at a temperature of 120°C and of only
one year at 130°C.
 Graphical Determination of α

The value of temperature co-efficient of

resistance can also be determined graphically
from temperature/resistance graph of the material.
Fig. shows the temperature/resistance graph
for a conductor. The graph is a straight line AX as is
the case with all conductors. The resistance of the
conductor is R0(represented by OA) at 0°C and it
becomes Rt at t°C . By definition,
Cont:
Cont:
Cont:
Cont:
 Temperature Co-efficient at Various
Temperatures
Consider a conductor having resistances R0 and
R1 at temperatures 0°C and t1°C respectively.
Let α0 and α1 be the temperature co-efficients
of resistance of the conductor at 0°C and t1°C
respectively. It is desired to establish the
relationship between α1 and α0. It is desired to
establish the relationship between α1 and α0.
Fig. shows the temperature/resistance graph of
the conductor.
Cont:
Cont:
Cont:
 Cont:
Eq. (i) gives the relation between α1 and α0
while Eq. (iii) gives the relation between α2
and α1.
Summary of Temperature Co-efficient Relations
 Variation of Resistivity With Temperature

Not only resistance but resistivity or specific

resistance of a material also changes with
temperature. The change in resistivity per °C
change in temperature is called temperature
coefficient of resistivity. In case of metals, the
resistivity increases with increase in temperature
and vice-versa. It is found that resistivity of a
metallic conductor increases linearly over a wide
range of temperatures and is given by ;
Cont:
 Cont:
Problems.No.1 A coil has a resistance of 18 Ω when
its mean temperature is 20°C and of 20 Ω when
its mean temperature is 50°C. Find its mean
temperature rise when its resistance is 21Ω and
the surrounding temperature is 15°C.
Cont: