Temperature sensors were established in the 1970s. Over the years, they have experienced a lot of improvements. Regardless, their purpose and their technology remain the same save for models. As Process Parameters explains, they also remain highly applied in industrial environments.
What are Temperature Sensors?
A temperature sensor is a device used to measure the temperature of the air, liquids, and solid matter. The device works by providing a readable temperature measurement through electrical signals inside its probe. Temperature sensors consist of two metals as their main working points. These when temperature changes occur in liquids, air or solid items, the metals generate electronic resistance or voltage across the diode terminals.
Types of Industrial Temperature Sensors
There are three common types of temperature sensors:
- Thermistors
Thermistors are also prefred to as thermally sensitive resistors. They work by altering their physical appearance whenever temperature changes are detected. They are made up of ceramic materials like cobalt or nickel that allow easy disfiguration. Thermistors experience a decrease in resistance when temperatures increase and vice versa.
- Thermocouples
These temperature sensors are the most commonly used in industries because they are reliable, sensitive, simple, and have a wide temperature operating range. They contain two wires with dissimilar metals connecting at different points to form a junction. The voltage between the two wires helps measure the temperature changes in industrial processes. Thermocouples have a faster response time. This ability makes them perfect in areas with fast temperature processes.
Thermocouples are commonly used in industrial applications like ovens and gas-powered boilers. These temperature sensors are affordable. However, they are not as accurate as RTDs.
- Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs)
These are the most precise temperature sensors on the market. They are made from high-purity conducting metals like copper and nickel. The metals are wound into a coil creating an electrical resistance similar to a thermistor temperature sensor. They are commonly applied in industries where reliability and accuracy are essential. Their accuracy is attributable to their platinum metals.
Industries Where Temperature Sensors are Applied
Most industrial environments experience high process temperatures, pressures, and vibrations. For these reasons, temperature sensors are required. Below are some of the top applications that use temperature sensors:
- Medical Industry
The medical industry uses temperature sensors to monitor critical patient temperature measurements. The sensors are commonly used in MRI machines and portable ultrasound scanners to monitor cryogenic superconducting electromagnets.
- Pharmaceutica Industry
Temperature sensors are also used in the pharmaceutical industry for sanitation. They are also used in laboratories to control the environmental temperature. This helps prevent unwanted chemical reactions triggered by temperature changes in lab environments.
- Household Appliances
The sensors are used in household appliances like refrigerators and freezers to measure the cold temperatures inside the cooling compartments. The device ensures that ice cubes are created and prevent excessive icing. The sensors are also commonly used in microwaves and ovens to control the temperature or heating.
- Computers
The sensors are also used in computers to prevent them from overheating. In simpler terms, they regulate temperatures, especially in large industrial supercomputers.
- Food and Beverage Industry
Temperature sensors alos come in handy in enhancing sanitation in the food and beverage industry. They maintain optimum temperatures to prevent the food from going bad. They are also used to reduce wastage.
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Right Industrial Temperature Sensors
Other than the three types of temperature sensors above, several others. Therefore, when choosing the right temperature sensors, you may consider the following factors;
- Response Time: Temperatures constantly change in most industrial environments. Therefore, an ideal temperature sensor should have faster response times.
- Accuracy: A robust and ideal temperature sensor should also be accurate.
- Stability: The temperature sensors also need to be stable. Stability ensures that the temperature measurements are reliable, especially for industrial applications.
- Temperature Range: the range usually determines the right type of temperature sensors required for specific industrial applications. The device temperature ranges are usually found on the datasheet.
- Size: the area within the application is also a factor to consider when determining the temperature sensor you choose
Temperature sensors are extremely important in the industries. They are critical in this area because of machinery and equipment’s constant pressure and temperature changes. Temperature sensors are also vital in producing and operating home appliances and devices like computers, refrigerators, and ovens.
