Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Saturday, December 10, 2022
What's The Difference Between Thermocouples and RTDs?
Thermocouples and resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) are both types of temperature sensors that are used to measure the temperature of a system. While they both operate on the same basic principle of using a physical property to determine temperature, they differ in the specific way they do this and the accuracy and precision of their measurements.
A thermocouple is a type of temperature sensor that is made up of two different metals that are joined together at one end. When a temperature difference is applied to the other end of the thermocouple, a small electrical voltage is generated. This voltage is proportional to the temperature difference, and can be measured and used to determine the temperature of the system. Thermocouples are relatively simple and inexpensive, but they are not very accurate or precise and are only capable of measuring a limited range of temperatures.
On the other hand, a resistance temperature detector (RTD) is a type of temperature sensor that uses the principle of electrical resistance to measure temperature. RTDs consist of a coil of fine wire that is wrapped around a core material, typically made of a metal with a high electrical resistance such as platinum, nickel, or copper. When the temperature of the RTD changes, the electrical resistance of the wire also changes, and this change can be measured and used to determine the temperature of the system. RTDs are generally more accurate and precise than thermocouples, and can be used to measure a wider range of temperatures. However, they are also more complex and expensive than thermocouples.
In summary, the key differences between thermocouples and RTDs are the way they measure temperature, the accuracy and precision of their measurements, and the range of temperatures they can measure. Thermocouples use the voltage generated by two different metals to measure temperature, while RTDs use the change in electrical resistance of a wire to measure temperature. Thermocouples are relatively simple and inexpensive, but not very accurate or precise, while RTDs are more complex and expensive, but can provide more accurate and precise measurements over a wider range of temperatures.
For expert guidance specifying or applying thermocouples or RTD's in your application, contact:
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Wire-wound and Thin Film Resistance Temperature Detectors
The wire-wound platinum resistance thermometer was patented in 1924 and has since become the most popular device for measuring laboratory and industrial process temperatures. RTDs provide high accuracy, long-term stability, repeatability, and integration with electronic controls. As the temperature rises, so does electrical resistance in a very predictable manner. PRTs measure all sorts of processes, from industry to laboratory work. Additionally, the platinum resistance sensor has a linear resistance vs. temperature relationship over a wide operating range of -196°C to 850°C.
Wire-wound and thin film sensing elements are the two most common forms of RTD sensing elements. Wire-wound sensing components apply in applications requiring high accuracy and long-term stability. The RTD sensor utilizes platinum wire wrapped around a ceramic core and offers various housings designed to give the optimum heat transfer and contact with the process, regardless of whether it is gas, liquid, or solid.
The thin film RTD sensor style is made by depositing a thin layer of platinum on a ceramic plate, then trimming a path with a laser or other techniques to create a narrow ribbon of platinum with a resistance of 100 ohms at 0°C. After that, the leads are joined and protected with glass. As a result, the sensor is relatively small and available in rectangular shapes in various sizes. They are inexpensive and, if properly packaged, can last for years. Long-term stability and repeatability are not as excellent as with wire wound sensors.
Each sensor type for industrial applications meets the specifications of ASTM 1137 or IEC 60751. The specifications include an ice point (0°C) resistance and a temperature coefficient. The ice point resistance is calculated in a container using an ice bath made of ice and water. There is a tolerance called "interchangeability" associated with this measurement. Various interchangeability bands have label assignations such as A, B, or C, with A being the strictest and C being less tight.
The temperature coefficient of resistance, or TCR, is the amount of resistance change per degree Celsius change in temperature. The TCR of an industrial grade PRT is 0.00385 ohms/ohm/°C. In other words, there is an average of 0.385 ohms of resistance per degree C of temperature change between 0°C and 100°C. The coefficients used for lab standards are 0.003925 and 0.003902, but the more widely used standard is now 0.00385 for industrial applications. For an accurate reading, you need to match the temperature coefficient and resistance of your PRT with the input requirements of the instrumentation you are using. Not doing this will result in a significant error.
For expert guidance specifying or applying RTD's in your application, contact:
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Industrial Uses of Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) Explained
Introduction: What is an RTD?
RTDs are sensors that measure the temperature of a material and provide an indication of its resistance to thermal changes.
An RTD is a sensor that measures the temperature of a material and provides an indication of its resistance to thermal changes. RTDs can be manufactured as either a wire or as a thin film on silicon.
The first RTD was developed in 1887 by German inventor Hermann von Helmholtz.
RTDs are typically used in industrial applications such as power plants, refineries, paper mills, and steel mills where they monitor temperatures of process fluids, gases, or equipment surfaces.
RTDs have also been used for years in home appliances like ovens and furnaces to control the temperature inside them.
What is a Typical Industrial Use of RTDs?
RTDs are used in industrial settings to measure the temperature of liquids and gases. This is done by measuring the resistance of a metal element which changes with temperature. RTDs have many applications in industry, such as controlling the temperature of devices, monitoring equipment, and testing for leaks.
Industrial use of RTDs can be found in a wide range of industries. For example, they are used to monitor the temperature of food processing plants and oil refineries. They are also used for quality control purposes in semiconductor manufacturing plants and petrochemical factories.
Other Industrial Uses of Resistance Temperature Detectors
Industrial use of RTDs is extremely common in the manufacturing industry. They are used in industrial processes to measure and control temperature, as well as to detect hot spots and cool spots.
RTDs are also used in many engineering applications such as process control, instrumentation, and automation for a variety of purposes.
Duro-Sense Corporation
310-533-6877
https://duro-sense.com
Saturday, July 30, 2022
Industry Leading Delivery Times for Thermocouples and RTDs
Customers dislike having to wait. Customer happiness and loyalty are directly related to how soon items are delivered.
Lead time is a critical component of any effective supply chain. It is vital to a company's success to reduce lead times as much as feasible. Production lead time may be a significant factor in your company's success. Whether it's a poor movie or a dull and tiresome speech, shorter is usually better. Selecting the correct manufacturer is critical when determining the lead time.
Duro-Sense has over four decades of manufacturing experience and has developed essential solutions for reducing lead times without sacrificing quality. Allow us to show you.
Friday, July 1, 2022
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Noble Metal Thermocouples
Two categories of thermocouples are base metal and noble metal. Base metal thermocouples are types E, J, K, T, and N and use inexpensive metals such as nickel, copper, and iron. Noble metal thermocouples B, R, and S are platinum-based, tolerate higher temperatures, and provide greater accuracy than base metal thermocouples.
A typical application for noble metal thermocouples would include jet engines, rocket engines, turbines, exhaust gas sensing, glass manufacturing, heat treating, laboratory research, nuclear environments, power stations, and vacuum furnaces.
Noble metal thermocouples have widespread applications involving high temperatures in oxidizing or inert environments but require a ceramic protective tube. These sensors are often brittle, and their use in reducing atmospheres or metallic vapor-containing environments is inadvisable.
Insulators and protective tubes come in a variety of materials and forms. Typically, Alumina and Mullite. Mullite has excellent thermal shock immunity but low mechanical shock resistance. Alumina has good thermal and mechanical shock resistance and is resistant to gases up to 3,200°F.
In the harshest and most demanding conditions, noble metal thermocouples selection criteria include the temperature operating range, ambient atmospheric or media, the size and form, precision, and response time. For more information, or for assistance selecting the right noble metal thermocouple, contact:
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Custom Temperature Sensor Manufacturing
Build-to-order components, one-offs, short production runs, and customization are all examples of the types of temperature sensor production that fall under the umbrella of "custom temperature sensor production." Additionally, This term refers to the design, engineering, and manufacturing process based on the specific requirements of a customer. It is pointless to have a concept for a product if you cannot manufacture it. To produce your product effectively, you need to have a solid grasp of the design, the materials, the application, and the budget.
On the other hand, there are a lot of unknowns, which may both push up costs and cause confusion. There is often a knowledge gap between the design and engineering, the materials and applications, and the manufacturing and installation phases of a project. We can add a knowledge layer that fills in these essential gaps because of the unique combination of design, application engineering, product experience, and collaboration that we bring to the table at Duro-Sense. We can get more value to any project by making it more straightforward for engineers, designers, manufacturers, and customers to interact with one another and collaborate on accomplishing project goals. Call Duro-Sense with your next custom temperature sensor application.
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Duro-Sense 100 OHM Platinum RTD Temperature Sensors
RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors) are temperature detecting devices that vary their resistance value when surrounding temperature changes. RTD sensing elements use well-known materials that change resistance in a predictable and repeatable manner. Their popularity and general use are outcomes of the RTD's predictability and stability.
The most common type and material of RTD is the 100-ohm platinum sensor. Its use is ubiquitous in the laboratory and industrial process applications going back many decades. The precision, reproducibility, and stability of 100-ohm platinum RTDs (PT100) are well known.
For the most part, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) fall into two main categories. Thin-film elements are one form of RTD, and wire-wound elements are the other. Each type provides advantages in certain situations and purposes. The more common design, wire-wound, is a length of tightly coiled wire wrapped around a ceramic or glass bobbin. Because the wire and wrapping are delicate, it is usually enclosed in an encased metallic tube to protect them from stress and vibration.
The 100-ohm platinum RTD provides accurate temperature readings with excellent stability and repeatability. They are also very resistant to electrical noise, making them ideal for temperature monitoring in industrial facilities near motors, generators, and high voltage equipment.
The American and European (known as the DIN or IEC standard) 100-ohm platinum RTD standards are the same, with the IEC standard considered the default for PT100. According to the IEC751 standard, the RTD must have:
- The electrical resistance of 100.00 O at 0°C
- A TCR (temperature coefficient of resistance) of 0.00385 O/O/°C between 0 and 100°C.
Because resistance is used to measure temperature in 100-ohm platinum RTDs, the lead wires, connections, and measurement devices contribute extra resistance, requiring external compensation to offset the error. A solution is found by inserting a third or fourth lead wire inversely proportional to the external resistances.
Duro-Sense Corporation
310-533-6877
https://duro-sense.com
Monday, March 21, 2022
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Thermocouples Used in The Plastics Molding and Forming Industry
The term "plastics thermocouple" refers to a thermocouple used in the plastics, packaging, and rubber industries. Plastic thermocouple installations include injection molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, and extruding machines to precisely measure the temperature of the plastic molds and nozzles. While plastic thermocouples come in various configurations such as bayonet, washer style, shim style, nozzle, and right angle, their essential components remain the same.
Plastic thermocouples are typically calibrated to ANSI types J or K. Thermocouples lead wire comes in a variety of insulation and protection options, including high-temperature fiberglass, PVC, stainless steel braided fiberglass, and stainless steel flexible armor cable. Bare leads, male thermocouple jacks, female thermocouple plugs, or spade lugs are the most common electrical connections.
Bayonet designs are straight or right-angle configurations, with industry-standard bayonet fittings easily retrofitted to most injection molding and plastics processing equipment. These fittings have adjustable depth and are spring-loaded to contact the media. The thermocouple sensing junction is welded or crimped directly to the washer or shim in washer and shim thermocouples.
Bayonet thermocouples have a tube and wire design with stranded thermocouple cable running the length of the probe, and a metallic sensor is a stainless steel from the 301, 304, or 316 series. The thermocouple has either a grounded or an ungrounded junction. While the probe has a speedy response, a grounded T/C junction welded to the probe's tip can conduct electrical noise back to the instrumentation. An ungrounded junction is isolated from the metallic sensor and prevents the transmission of electrical noise. On the other hand, Ungrounded T/C junctions are slightly slower to respond to temperature changes.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Engine, Turbine and Compressor Thermocouples
A lot of electricity is needed to run complicated equipment on offshore oil and gas installations. Some of the things that need power in the drilling and processing area are pumps, valve operators, critical communications, turntables, engines, safety devices, and more. Like that used by a small town, much electricity gets consumed. Heating, air conditioning, water desalination, food storage, and even trash processing all use electricity from electric generators that run on gas or electricity.
The conditions on offshore sites can be challenging. Equipment and parts must be robust to work correctly and cut down on regular maintenance.
Temperature is one of the most critical measuring factors in a compressor, and its accuracy directly impacts compressor efficiency. According to the findings, temperature calculation errors account for more than 80% of efficiency errors. More information about compressor temperature measurement, as well as improved temperature measurement methods, are needed. Thermocouples measure the temperature of the interstage gas compressor and the temperature of the exit gas.
In these cases, a unique temperature sensor called an "engine-compressor thermocouple" is used to measure temperature. These are temperature sensors that can tell you about many things, like how hot the exhaust gases are and how hot the lubricant is. Such sensors have been used for a long time and built to withstand the extreme mechanical and climatic conditions found in offshore maritime environments. If the thermocouple has exposure to a lot of vibration and chemicals, it needs to be durable and accurate at the same time.
Engine-compressor thermocouples give oil and gas platform workers precise measurements, high precision, and quick responses to changes in the engine's temperature and compressor. As a bonus, engine-compressor thermocouples are easily calibrated, removed, and replaced if needed.
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