Temperature Transducers

Some Temperature Transducers are listed here and advantages and disadvantages of using them are noted here.

Types of Temperature Transducers:
1) Thermocouples
2) Resistance-temperature detector’s (RTD’s)
3) Thermistors
4) Integrated circuit sensors.

Thermocouple:
Advantages of using Themocouple:
low cost
No excitation is required
Simple
Rugged
Inexpensive
Wide variety of physical forms
Wide temperature range
good inherent accuracy
relatively fast thermal response
high reliability
great versatility of application
Disadvantages of using Thermocouple:
Non linear
Low output voltage
Reference temperature is required
Least stable
Least sensitive

RTD:
Advantages:
Most stable
Accurate than thermocouple
More linear than thermocouple
Disadvantages:
Expensive
Slow
Precision Current source required
Small resistance change
Four wire measurement/Three wire measurement
Low Temperature Ranges

Thermistor:
Advantages:
High output
Fast
Two wire ohms measurement
Disadvatnages:
Non linear
Limited temperature range
Fragile
Current source required
Self heating

IC Sensors:
Advantages of using IC Sensors:
Most linear
Highest output
Inexpensive
Disadvatnages:
T < 250° C
Power supply required
Slow
Self-heating may produce erroneous output
Limited configurations