Different Types of Temperature Sensors
🌡️ Different Types of Temperature Sensors
1. Thermocouples
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Principle: Seebeck effect (voltage generated at junction of two dissimilar metals).
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Range: –200 °C to +1800 °C (depending on type: J, K, T, R, S).
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Pros: Wide range, rugged, fast response.
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Cons: Lower accuracy compared to RTDs.
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Applications: Furnaces, autoclaves, ovens, incinerators.
2. RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors)
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Principle: Electrical resistance of metal (usually platinum – Pt100, Pt1000) increases with temperature.
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Range: –200 °C to +600 °C.
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Pros: High accuracy, stability, repeatability.
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Cons: More expensive, slower response.
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Applications: Pharma cleanroom monitoring, stability chambers, HVAC, water systems.
3. Thermistors
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Principle: Resistance of semiconductor material changes with temperature.
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Range: –100 °C to +300 °C.
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Pros: High sensitivity, small size, low cost.
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Cons: Non-linear response, limited range.
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Applications: Medical devices, refrigerators, lab instruments.
4. Infrared (IR) Sensors
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Principle: Detect infrared radiation emitted by objects.
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Range: –50 °C to +1000 °C (depends on sensor).
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Pros: Non-contact measurement, quick response.
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Cons: Sensitive to dust, smoke, surface emissivity.
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Applications: Sterile areas (non-invasive), moving machinery, food & pharma packaging.
5. Semiconductor Sensors (IC Sensors)
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Principle: Temperature-dependent voltage across a diode or transistor.
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Range: –50 °C to +150 °C.
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Pros: Small, cheap, easy integration with electronics.
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Cons: Narrow range, less robust for industrial use.
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Applications: Electronics, HVAC, portable devices, lab monitoring.
6. Bimetallic Temperature Sensors (Mechanical)
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Principle: Two bonded metals expand at different rates with temperature, causing bending.
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Range: –50 °C to +500 °C.
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Pros: Simple, no power required.
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Cons: Not highly accurate.
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Applications: Thermostats, safety cutoffs, simple heating equipment.
✅ Summary Table
| Sensor Type | Range (°C) | Accuracy | Response | Typical Pharma Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermocouple | –200 to +1800 | Medium | Fast | Autoclaves, ovens |
| RTD | –200 to +600 | High | Medium | HVAC, cleanrooms |
| Thermistor | –100 to +300 | High | Fast | Lab equipment |
| IR Sensor | –50 to +1000 | Medium | Very fast | Sterile, moving eqp |
| IC Sensor | –50 to +150 | Medium | Fast | Electronics, HVAC |
| Bimetallic | –50 to +500 | Low | Slow | Thermostats |
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