Temperature

Measurement
Pengukuran & Metrologi
Dr.-Ing. Ridho Irwansyah
Agung Shamsuddin Saragih, Ph.D.
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Universitas Indonesia
Introduction
• Temperature measurement (thermometry) is a process of measuring a local
temperature for immediate or later evaluation.

Galileo Guillaume Ismael Gabriel D. Anders

Amontons Boulliau Fahrenheit Celsius
Volumetric Fluid at constant In 1659, Temperature scale was
volume that was Divided the
expansion of attempted to use introduced in 1715.
subject to interval between
liquid mercury in a the thermometer had
temperature changes the boiling and
capillary glass 180 divisions between freezing points of
tube. the freezing and water at 1 atm
boiling points of water. into 100 equal
divisions.
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Temperature Standard
• A temperature scale provides for three essential aspects of temperature measurement:
• (1) The definition of the size of the degree.
• (2) Fixed reference points for establishing known temperatures.
• (3) A means for interpolating between these fixed temperature points.

• Fixed point temperatures: phase-transition temperatures (ex. Boiling point) or the triple
point of a pure substance (0.01 0C for water).
• The process of establishing any value between the fixed-point temperatures is called as
interpolation.
• The calibration of a temperature measurement device entails not only the establishment of
fixed temperature points but also the indication of any temperature between fixed points.
• The standard for fixed points, procedure and devices for interpolating between fixed points
is described in the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90)

Figliola, Richard S., and Donald E. Beasley. Theory and

design for mechanical measurements. John Wiley & Sons,
2020.

3
Temperature Standard
• Temperature fixed points as defined by ITS-90

Figliola, Richard S., and Donald E. Beasley. Theory and design for mechanical measurements. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.

4
Thermometry Based on Thermal
Expansion – Liquid-in Glass
• A liquid-in-glass thermometer measures temperature by virtue of the thermal
expansion of a liquid.
• Three types of measuring environment:
• Complete immersion thermometer, the entire thermometer is immersed in the calibrating
temperature environment or fluid.
• For a total immersion thermometer, the thermometer is immersed in the calibrating temperature
environment up to the liquid level in the capillary.
• For a partial immersion thermometer, the thermometer is immersed to a predetermined level in the
calibrating environment.

• Temperature measurements using liquid-in-glass thermometers can provide

uncertainies as low as 0.010C under very carefully controlled conditions.
• Mercury-in-glass thermometers have limited engineering applications, but do provide
reliable, accurate temperature measurement.

Figliola, Richard S., and Donald E. Beasley. Theory and

design for mechanical measurements. John Wiley & Sons,
2020.

5
Types of Thermometer
1. Based on thermal expansion
a. Liquid-in-glass thermometer
b. Bimetallic thermometer
2. Electrical resistance thermometry
a. Resistance temperature detector (RTD)
b. Thermistor
3. Thermoelectric method
a. Thermocouple
b. Multiple-junction thermocouple circuit
4. Radiative temperature method
5. Others

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1. Thermometry Based on Thermal
Expansion – Bimetallic
• The physical phenomenon employed in a bimetallic
temperature sensor is the differential thermal expansion of
two metals.
• Bimetallic strips employ one metal having a high coefficient
of thermal expansion with another having a low coefficient,
providing increased sensitivity. (ex. Invar that has 𝑪𝜶 = 1.7 x
10-8 m/m oC)
• The relationship between the radius of curvature and
temperature is given as follow:
𝒅
𝒓𝒄 ≈
𝑪𝜶 𝑨 − 𝑪𝜶 𝑩 𝑻𝟐 − 𝑻𝟏
• Where: Figliola, Richard S., and Donald E. Beasley. Theory and design for mechanical measurements. John Wiley &
Sons, 2020.
• rc = radius of curvature
• 𝑪𝜶 = material thermal expansion coefficient
• T = temperature
• d = thickness
• The bimetallic sensor is used in temperature control systems
and is the primary element in most dial thermometers and
many thermostats.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/T
hermometer_with_bimetallic.JPG/800px- 7
Thermometer_with_bimetallic.JPG
2. Electrical Resistance Thermometry
• Electrical resistance of a conductor or semiconductor
varies with temperature.
• Two basic classes of resistance thermometers:
resistance temperature detectors (conductors) and
thermistors (semiconductors).
• Depending on the materials selected, the resistance
may increase or decrease with temperature.
• The resistance change of a thermistor can be estimated
by using:
𝑅 − 𝑅0 = 𝑘 𝑇 − 𝑇0
• Where k is the temperature coefficient.
• Metals and alloys commonly have a positive
temperature coefficient (PTC), whereas semiconductors
commonly have a negative temperature coefficient
(NTC) Figliola, Richard S., and Donald E. Beasley. Theory and design for mechanical measurements. John Wiley &
Sons, 2020.

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2. Electrical Resistance Thermometry -
RTD
• RTDs are generally constructed by mounting a metal wire on an insulator material.
• The relationship between the resistance of a metal conductor and its temperature can be expressed as the
following function:
2
𝑅 = 𝑅0 1 + α 𝑇 − 𝑇0 + 𝛽 𝑇 − 𝑇0 +⋯
• Where R0 is a reference resistance at temperature T0. α & 𝛽 are material constants.
• Due to its high stability, platinum is the most common material chosen to construct RTDs. It covers a
measurement range between cryogenic region and 650 0C.

Figliola, Richard S., and Donald E. Beasley. Theory and design for mechanical measurements. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.
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2. Electrical Resistance Thermometry -
RTD
• To measure the resistance of RTDs, Wheatstone bridge circuits are normally used for the
measurement.

𝑅 = 𝑅0 1 + α 𝑇 − 𝑇0

𝑅1 𝑅3
=
𝑅2 𝑅𝑅𝑇𝐷

Figliola, Richard S., and Donald E. Beasley. Theory and design for mechanical measurements. John Wiley &
Sons, 2020.

10
 2. Electrical Resistance Thermometry -
Thermistor
• Thermistor (Thermally Sensitive Resistors).
• The electrical resistance of thermistors is inversely
proportional with temperature (NTC).
• The functional relationship between resistance and
temperature for common thermistors is as follow:
1Τ𝑇−1Τ𝑇0
𝑅 = 𝑅0 ⅇ 𝛽

• Thermistors are generally used when high sensitivity,

ruggedness, or fast response times are required.

Figliola, Richard S., and Donald E. Beasley. Theory and design for mechanical measurements. John Wiley &
Sons, 2020.

RTD
Thermistor 11
3. Thermoelectric Temperature
Measurement - Thermocouple
• A thermocouple consists of two electrical conductors that are
made of dissimilar metals and have at least one electrical
connection (junction).
• Voltage as measurement output. Thus, there is a definite
relationship between voltage and temperature of junctions.
• Thermocouple is one of the mostly used thermometry in a
wide range of applications.
• In an ideal condition, the emf generated by thermocouple
would be the result of the Seeback effect only (no electric
current flow in the circuit).
𝜕 (𝑒𝑚𝑓)
• The Seeback coefficient is defined as 𝛼𝐴𝐵 = 𝜕𝑇
• A thermocouple junction is the source of an electromotive
force (emf), that increases the potential difference in
thermocouple circuit.
• Another phenomenon: Peltier and Thomson Effect

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3. Thermoelectric Temperature
Measurement - Thermocouple
Fundamental Thermocouple Laws
• Law of homogeneous materials: A thermoelectric current
cannot be sustained in a circuit of a single homogeneous
material by the application of heat alone.
• Law of intermediate materials: The algebraic sum of the
thermoelectric forces in a circuit composed of any number
of dissimilar materials is zero if all the circuit is at a
uniform temperature
• Law of successive temperatures: If two dissimilar homogeneous materials that form a
thermocouple circuit produce emf1 when the junctions are at T1 and T2 and produce emf2
when the junctions are at T2 and T3, the emf generated when the junctions are at T1 and T3
will be emf1 + emf2

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3. Thermoelectric Temperature
Measurement - Thermocouple
• A common reference junction temperature is 0 0C.
• The choice of a type of thermocouple depends on the temperature
range to be measured, the application, and the desired uncertainty
level.

• Convert voltage output → temperature.

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 3. Thermoelectric Temperature
Measurement - Thermocouple
Conventional method Commercial DAQ system
1. Set thermocouple 1. Set thermocouple • Plug and play
2. Set reference junction 2. Measure • Built-in reference
junction, built-in
3. Measure 3. Output: T V-T converter
4. Convert V -> T
5. Output: T

Commercial DAQ

Conventional 15
4. Radiative Temperature
Measurement
• This method offers a contactless temperature measurement.

• Any object with temperature > 0 K releases the emission of electromagnetic waves from its surface.

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4. Radiative Temperature
Measurement
• Basic idea: to detect the thermal
radiation in infrared spectrum so that
lower temperature can be sensed Type#1
• Radiative temperature method is Camera/video
commonly referred as infrared type
thermometry
• Two basic mechanism to detect the
radiative temperature:
• Radiometer
• Pyrometer Type#2
Point
measurement
type

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