DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : K.Ravinder
Designation : H.E.I.E.S
Branch :Applied Elect.&Instru. Engg.
Institute : GPT Bellampally.
Year/semester : III Semester
Subject : Process Instrumentation-I
Subject code : AEI-305.
Topic : Temperature measurement
Duration : 50 min.
Sub topic :Resistance temperature Detector-1
Teaching aids : Diagrams
AEI-305.39 1
 Objectives

Upon completion of this topic you will be able

to know

Resistance Temperature Detector (R.T.D)

• Principle of operation
• Comparison of RTD’s
• Construction

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 Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)
Characteristics
• High temperature co-efficient, this gives large sensitivity.
• High resistivity of the material-this ensure small length of
wire for a high resistance.
• Linearity of resistance-temperature relation. .
• Stability of electrical characters standard of the
materials
• Resistance to contamination, this is necessary for good
repeatability.
• Sufficient mechanical strength .

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 Resistance Of Metal

• Metals are crystalline structure

• Metal comprising metal ions and free electrons
• Application of D.C potential across the metallic element
Resistance in a direction of flow of of electrons.
• During their movement They collide with them selves
and with the ions Comprising crystal lattice thus
resistance.

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 Principle

• Metal is heated , the temperature rise.

• The mean free path length between collision decrease

• Increase the Amplitude of oscillation

• Resulting increase in the electrical resistance.

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 Mathematical Expression
The resistance value Rt at any temperature “T”

R t  R0 [1  (T  T0 )]

R t  R0 [1  t 0 ]
Where .
Ro= resistance of conductor at temperature T0
ά= constant is called temperature co-efficient of
resistance for that material
t0= T-T0 it is the difference in temperature
ά is positive for metallic resistance element.
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Temperature Co-efficient Of Different Metals

Metal Temperature co-efficient

Resistivity (1/K)
• Aluminium 0.0039
• Constantan 0.000001
• Iron 0.005
• Nichrome 0.0004
• Nickel 0.0066
• Platinum 0.003927
• Copper 0.00393

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Resistance Variation With Temperature

Fig 1
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 Characteristics Of PRT

• High Co-efficient of Resistivity.

• Inherent reproducible
• High degree of Accuracy.
• High purity (99.85%)
• High Stability .
• It does not Oxide (Protected from contamination)
• High mechanical strength.

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 Construction Of P.R.T.
• The common open wire element in which the platinum
wire in the form of spiral
• It is insulated with silica or ceramic in the form a
perforated-coil former.
• The wire is indirect contact with Fluid whose temperature
is to be measured

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 Construction…

• The diameter of the wire varies from the 0.02 to

0.2mm and the preferred value is 0.1mm .

• The wire should be smooth free from defects

and drawn from an ingot which has been completely
fused .

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Single Coil Element Platinum Resistance
Thermometer

Fig 2

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 Construction of PRT

• Annealing is recommended for preventing resistance

Change due to dimensional changes.

• The resistance wire enclosed in a protective tube.

• Tube made of glass , quartz or porcelain for protection

from mechanical damages and chemical reactions

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 Construction…

• The probe is suitably mounted

• to withstand high pressure , fluid speeds vibrations
• And damages from foreign bodies .

• In more sophisticated type, the wire is

• Hermitically sealed between two platinum tubes
• And filled with dry air at 1/3 atmosphere .

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Closed Type PRT Shielded Probes

Fig 3

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 What is PT-100

• R.T.D’s resistance at 273°K range from 1Ω to 1KΩ

• Generally used R.T.D’s having resistance 100Ω at

273°K and is known as PT -100.

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Industrial Resistance Thermometer

Fig 4

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 Comparison chart of various RTD’s
Criteria Platinum RTD Nickel RTD Balco RTD

Cost High Medium Medium

Range -240 to649°C -212 to316°C -73 to204°C

Accuracy High Medium Low

Sensitivity Medium High Very High

Lead effect Medium Low Low

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 Summary

We have discussed about

• Principle of Operation Resistance Temperature Detector

• Construction of RTD’s

• Ranges of Temperatures

• Comparison of various RTD’s

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 Quiz

1. Which Element is used in the Construction of

RTD’s

A) Platinum

B) Copper

C) Gold

D) Silver

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2.Temperature Range of platinum thermometer

A) -87°c to 371°c

B) -240 °c to 649°c

C) 200 °c to 400 °c

D) 0°c to 1000°c

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 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Explain the Principle of operation of R.T.D

2. Explain the construction of R.T.D

3. State the reasons for selection of Platinum as R.T.D

element.

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