A tedious conversion process is avoided by both an RTD and thermocouple sensors which results in getting temperature measurements in an easy manner. The basic difference between these two sensors lies in their manufacturing functions and operating principles.
RTD stands for Resistance Temperature Detectors. This is an important type of sensor, widely used to measure temperature. The resistance of an RTD changes with changes in temperature (Wu, Luo & Liu, 2019). An increase in temperature causes the resistance of an RTD to increase as well. An RTD is not capable of generating output on its own. A film made of a wire coil or pure metal is available within ab RTD.
Figure 1: RTD
In a thermocouple, two non-similar conductors are available. These conductors are used in producing voltage. This voltage is proportional to the differences in temperature. The resistance of the thermocouple decreases with the increase in temperature (Hwang, Cheon & Park, 2020). No such external form of excitation is required to measure temperature with a thermocouple.
Figure 2: Thermocouple
Low drift
Reasonable linearity, stable, and high accuracy
Applicable in precision
Current sour is needed
Slow operation
Signal conditioning is needed
Usable in a hazardous environment
Response rapidly with changes in temperature
Thermal capacity is lower
Least expensive and least stable
In converting voltage into a usable reading of temperature, a "substantial signal conditioning" system is needed
| Different parameters | Thermocouple | RTD |
|---|---|---|
| Tip sensitivity | Excellent | Fair |
| Accuracy | Medium to good | Excellent |
| Response time | Medium to excellent | Good |
| Stability (Long-term) | Fair to poor | Excellent |
| Linearity | Fair | Good |
| Self-heating (Undesirable) | Excellent | Medium to excellent |
| Repeatability | Poor to fair | Excellent |
| Measuring range | -2700C to 23200C | -2400C to 6500C |
| Different characteristics | RTD | Thermocouples |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | The accuracy of an RTD temperature measurement is the highest. Around the temperature of ± 0.050C to ± 0.10C, an RTD provides the most accurate measurement of temperature (Kim et al. 2018). | A thermocouple’s accuracy is lower than an RTD. Around ± 0.20C to ± 0.50C temperature, the accuracy of this sensor can be measured properly. |
| Cost | An RTD is more expensive than a thermocouple. | Thermocouples’ cost is around one-third of an RTD’s cost. A regular adjustment and longer installation process lead this sensor to carry a long-term cost. |
| Sensitivity | An RTD sensor is more durable and faster in terms of sensitivity. Changes in temperature impact the sensitivity of an RTD. | A thermocouple takes a longer time than an RTD in reaching the thermal equilibrium. The presence of a cold junction point in a thermocouple impacts the sensitivity. |
| Single point measurement | An average value and entire surface value are considered while the calculation of temperature is done with an RTD (Goswami & Kumar, 2018). The available large elements are responsible to create difficulties in the measurement process. | The Design of a thermocouple provides the scope of narrowing down the measuring point to the specific and exact point. This point is named “naked tips”. |
| Drift | As designed, the sensor drift of an RTD is small. This helps in producing stable and accurate reading for a longer duration. | A high drift over time is found to be associated with thermocouples. The inhomogeneity of a conductor wire is the main reason behind this high drift. The inhomogeneity can be caused by mechanical damage and chemical exposure as well (Johra, 2020). Frequent adjustment and calibrations are mandatory and required within thermocouples. |
Usage of thermocouples is easy in nature and that is why this is widely used while measuring temperature. Some of its most important and popular applications are −
In hospital thermometers
The diagnostic testing process for a diesel engine
In the mechanism of temperature sensors
Various industrial applications such as kilns and gas turbine
An RTD is an important passive device, used in measuring a loss range of temperature. Its most important applications are as follows −
In microelectronics
Textile production process
Plastic processing
Grills and stoves
Refrigerator
Air conditioner
Petrochemical processor
Each of these sensors possesses individual advantages and disadvantages, based on which capability and reliability of the sensors can be measured. The user needs to choose the most suitable temperature measuring parts based on requirements. Thermocouples are more durable and cheaper than an RTD. A bigger range of temperature can be measured by using thermocouples which is not equally possible with an RTD. An important feature of an RTD is that the temperature, measured by an RTD is more reliable and better than thermocouples
Q1. What is the basic principle of using thermocouples?
A Peltier effect is important as it helps in operating thermocouples. At the junction point of a circuit, Peltier is introduced. At that point, a difference in temperature is found that helps in the working procedure of thermocouples.
Q2. Which kind of accuracy is available in RTD and thermocouples?
The accuracy rate of thermocouples is poor in nature. An RTD possesses more accuracy than a thermocouple.
Q3. How many sensors are used in the calculation of temperature?
Temperature is a type of quantity that is used to express the nature of heat and also to measure the mean value of kinetic energy, available within atoms of a body. Two basis sensors, RTD and thermocouples sensors are widely used in measuring temperature.
Q4. What is the key difference between RTD and thermocouples?
A large range of temperatures can be measured by using thermocouples. An RTD is used to measure the low ranges of an atom's body temperature.
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