Hello Friends. In this article, I’ll explain to you what are temperature sensors, their types and what are their working principle. In this modern era, technology has made our life easier by providing ease in our daily life. From a small chip to a bigger application we see how this technology and advancement help us to perform our work in less time. So, friends without wasting any further time lets start topic.
What is Temperature Sensor?
The temperature sensor is defined as the electronic device that reads the temperature of the surrounding environment and then converts the temperature data into electrical data to read display, and into signal variations.
Embedded Temperature Sensors
Embedded temperature sensors are used in variations in industries, in aerospace, manufacturing of metals, healthcare, and automotive, and are used for detection of overheating. An embedded temperature comes in different sizes from a regular thermometer to a pinprick size. Such types of sensors are specifically designed according to the requirement such as in buildings or the places where the variation of temperature takes place. Such types of devices are designed in this way that they have an automatic on-off system.
There are many types of embedded temperature. These types of temperature sensors are used in manufacturing control rooms, automation rooms, and in factories. Such types of sensors have programmable preferences not only for the detection of temperature but also for temperature reading and displaying.
Working Principle of Temperature Sensor
The main purpose of the temperature sensor is to measure the hotness or the coolness of an entity. The working principle of the temperature sensor is the voltage that is read across the diode. If there is an increase in the voltage then temperature increases and voltage decreases in the transistor terminals of the base and emitter. The voltage is amplified then the analog signal is generated and directly proportional to the temperature.
Types of Temperature Sensors
There are two types of temperature sensors and they are listed below:
1. Thermistor Sensor
The temperature sensors are used in thermometers used by humans. The variation in the temperature changes the resistance and electric current in it. It is made of semiconductor material with resistivity and that is made especially sensitive to temperature. With the increase in resistance the temperature shows variation.
2. Thermocouple Sensor
This type of temperature sensor produce voltage when the temperature shows variations from the reference one to other parts on circuits. A thermocouple sensor is the one that is between the two conductors that have contact with each other or other points.
3. Thermometer
It is the one that shows the variation of temperature of any solid or liquid. It has alcohol inside the tube and there is variation in volume with the change in temperature.
4. Resistance Temperature Sensor
These types of temperature sensors have resistors inside them and with the change in temperature the resistive value changes. They are used in a wide range of temperatures in thin films and the value lies between -500C -5000C. There is a presence of thin layer of platinum under a substance ( resistance temperature detector).
5. IR Temperature Sensor
The temperature sensor emits IR (infrared red radiation) and have non contacting sensors. There are two types of IR temperature sensors named as Quantum IR sensor and IR sensor respectively.
6. Semiconductor based Sensor
The temperature sensor operates with the reverse biased and has small capacitance. It has thin layers of silicon wafers around and has different temperature variations. It is cost-friendly and has good calibrations. There are different types of semiconductor temperature sensor. Following are important types of semiconductor based sensors.
- Digital Output
- Resistance Output
- Resistance Output
- Simple Diodes
- Voltage Output
Temperature Range of Types of Temperature Sensor
Following table shows how the temperature variate from type to type:
Application of Temperature Sensors
Following are some important application of temperature sensors in industry:
- The temperature sensors are widely use in mechanical engine for the measurement of engine oil temperature
- In biomedical, rubber and plastic industries they have vast range of usage
- They are used in electric motors for the measurement of winding temperature and for the brushes temperature
Conclusion
So, friends we have discussed the types of temperature sensors and how they play an important in our daily life. Many industries (automobiles) widely use them. The temperature sensors are important in measuring the temperature of any specified environment. HVAC applications widely use them for temperature measurement.