Operational Amplifier with Thermistor
in Temperature Monitoring Bridge
Circuit with Indicator Board: Low < (t =
25°C) > High
Abstract
Temperature monitoring is essential in numerous industrial and domestic applications to
maintain optimal operation conditions and ensure safety. This project explores the design
and implementation of a temperature monitoring system using a thermistor embedded in a
Wheatstone bridge circuit, amplified by an operational amplifier (OA). The system monitors
temperature ranges below, at, and above 25°C and provides a clear indication via an
indicator board. The project covers theoretical background, circuit design, practical
implementation, and testing.
1. Introduction
Temperature measurement plays a vital role in various fields, including environmental
control, manufacturing processes, and electronic device management. Accurate
temperature monitoring can prevent equipment failure, optimize performance, and ensure
user safety. Among various temperature sensors, thermistors are widely used due to their
sensitivity, small size, and cost-effectiveness. Thermistors exhibit a resistance change
relative to temperature, which can be converted into a measurable voltage signal using
bridge circuits.
A common method for measuring resistance changes in sensors like thermistors is the
Wheatstone bridge circuit. By balancing the bridge at a reference temperature, usually 25°C,
deviations in temperature cause an imbalance, generating a differential voltage. This
voltage, typically small, is amplified using an operational amplifier to drive indicator devices
such as LEDs or LCD displays. This project focuses on designing such a system that
categorizes temperature into Low, Normal (at 25°C), and High regions and indicates these
states on an indicator board.
2. Thermistors: Theory and Characteristics
Thermistors are temperature-dependent resistors that exhibit significant changes in
resistance with temperature. There are two primary types: Negative Temperature
Coefficient (NTC) thermistors, where resistance decreases as temperature increases, and
Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistors, where resistance increases with
temperature.
NTC thermistors are commonly used in temperature measurement and control because of
their high sensitivity and rapid response time. They are made from semiconductor
materials such as metal oxides.
The resistance-temperature characteristic curve of a thermistor is nonlinear and is often
described using the Steinhart-Hart equation or a simpler Beta parameter equation.
Sensitivity, response time, and accuracy are critical parameters influencing thermistor
selection in a temperature monitoring system.
3. Bridge Circuits for Temperature Measurement
The Wheatstone bridge is a widely used circuit for converting resistance changes into
measurable voltage signals. It consists of four resistors arranged in a diamond shape, where
one or more resistors can be sensors such as thermistors.
At the reference temperature (25°C), the bridge is balanced so that the output voltage is
zero or minimal. When temperature changes, the resistance of the thermistor changes,
causing imbalance and a measurable differential voltage.
The output voltage from the bridge is proportional to the temperature change, which
requires amplification for further processing or display.
4. Operational Amplifier in Bridge Circuits
Operational amplifiers (OAs) are used to amplify the small differential voltage produced by
the Wheatstone bridge. The most common configurations include differential amplifiers and
instrumentation amplifiers.
The OA must have low input offset voltage, low noise, and adequate bandwidth to maintain
signal integrity.
Proper gain settings ensure that output voltage ranges correspond accurately to the
expected temperature range.
Circuit considerations include power supply, input protection, and thermal stability.
5. Design of the Temperature Monitoring System
The temperature monitoring system incorporates a thermistor in one arm of a Wheatstone
bridge, balanced at 25°C with fixed resistors.
The bridge output voltage is fed into an operational amplifier configured as a differential
amplifier.
The amplified signal drives an indicator board composed of LEDs indicating Low, Normal
(25°C), and High temperature zones.
Circuit calibration is essential for accurate temperature indication and involves adjusting
resistor values and amplifier gain.
Schematic diagrams illustrate the interconnections and component values.
6. Implementation and Testing
A prototype of the temperature monitoring system is assembled on a breadboard or PCB.
Tests involve varying the ambient temperature and observing the indicator responses.
Data is recorded, and the system’s response time, accuracy, and reliability are analyzed.
Common issues such as noise, drift, and calibration errors are addressed.
7. Applications and Advantages
This system can be employed in HVAC controls, industrial machinery monitoring, and
consumer appliances to maintain temperature within safe limits.
Compared to other sensors, thermistors provide cost-effective and reliable temperature
measurement within a limited range.
Limitations include nonlinearity and temperature range constraints.
Potential improvements involve integrating microcontrollers and digital displays for
enhanced functionality.
8. Conclusion
The designed temperature monitoring system using an operational amplifier and
thermistor-based Wheatstone bridge successfully monitors temperature around 25°C.
The indicator board effectively communicates temperature status in Low, Normal, and High
ranges.
This approach offers an efficient solution for temperature monitoring in various
applications.
Further work could explore digital interfacing and enhanced sensor technologies.
9. References
1. Horowitz, P., & Hill, W. (2015). The Art of Electronics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University
Press.
2. Fraden, J. (2016). Handbook of Modern Sensors: Physics, Designs, and Applications (5th
ed.). Springer.
3. Sedra, A. S., & Smith, K. C. (2020). Microelectronic Circuits (7th ed.). Oxford University
Press.
4. Texas Instruments. (2019). Operational Amplifier Applications. TI Application Report.
5. Omega Engineering. Thermistors Technical Reference. Retrieved from
https://www.omega.com/prodinfo/thermistors.html
