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Comparison of Temperature Sensors and Response Times
Comparison of Temperature Transducers
| Thermocouple | RTD | Thermistor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repeatability | 2°F to 15°F | 0.05°F to 0.1° | 0.2°F to 2°F |
| Stability | 1° to 2° drift per year | Less than 0.10% drift in five years | 0.2°F to 5°F drift in one year |
| Sensitivity | 10 to 50 microvolts/°C | 0.2 to 10 ohms/°C | 100 to 1,000 ohms/°C |
| Interchangeability | ±0.75% | ±0.5% | ±0.5% |
| Temperature Range | -400°F to 4,200°F* | -200°F to 1,600°F | -150°F to 550°F |
| Signal Output | 0 to 60 millivolts | 1 to 6 volts | 1 to 3 volts |
| Unique Features | Greatest economy; highest range | Greatest accuracy over wide spans; highly stable | Greatest sensitivity; lead effects minimized by high impedance |
| Linearity | Excellent | Excellent | Poor |
Time Constants
The time constant of any sensor is defined as the time required for that sensor to respond to 63.2% of it's total output signal when subjected to a step change. The step change can be an increase in the parameter being measured. Five constants are required for a sensor to reach 99% of it's total change. The graph below illustrates this relationship.
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