Temperature measurement: resistance thermometry

ESDU 06019 is one of a series of Data Items concerned with temperature measurement and describes the various resistance techniques that are available for temperature measurement (including thermistors) and their applications, emphasising their relative advantages and disadvantages. The various practical sensor types are described together with monitoring and protection methods. The uncertainties in temperature results likely with each type are indicated. The practical problems that can arise when applying resistance thermometry, such as hysteresis effects, self- heating effects, thermal voltages and response time, are explained and the conditions that have to be met in order to measure the true bulk temperature of a fluid or solid are described. The most suitable methods for connecting the sensor to the output device are indicated and also details are provided of some of the available measurement systems. Data tables and graphs summarise the performance characteristics of currently available types of industrial thermometers