Dale Cigoy
Articles
Basics of temperature measurement—thermistors
Whether in industrial applications, process industries, or in laboratory settings, accurately measuring temperature is a critical part of success. Temperature measurements are needed in medical applications, materials research in labs, electrical/electronic component studies, biology research, geological studies, electrical product device characterization, and other areas.
How to apply thermocouples
Although many sensors can measure temperature, the three most common are resistance temperature detectors (RTD), thermocouples, and thermistors. The thermocouple (TC) is the most common of those, and is made up of two dissimilar metals joined together at one end and open at the other (output end), producing a voltage for a given temperature.
Resistance Temperature Detectors
Of the many ways to measure temperature, one of the most accurate is a resistance temperature detector, usually referred to as an RTD. In an RTD, the resistance of the device is proportional to temperature. The most common resistive material for RTDs is platinum, though some RTDs are made from nickel or copper.