Temperature Lab

Cody Rethman
Daniel Scharplaz
Caleb Shunatona
Aaron Mason

Objective
To apply the principles of temperature measurements with
thermocouples, thermistors and RTDs; and to demonstrate their time
response as first order systems. Well experiment with hot and cold
measurement and time response.

Overview
Create a DAQ to measure boiling and
freezing water temp
Find the time constants for hair drier
to still air and boiling water to room
temp. water
Use modified DAQ board
Measure amperage of 9V battery
(current adapter) for RTD and
Thermistor for constant current
source
Measure readings in degrees
Celsius and time

Overview
The probes (they are tagged)

Thermistor
2 wires

RTD
3 wires

Thermocouple
Thick Brown Wire

Static Temp. Measurement

Measurements- cold and hot
Uncertainty Calculation
Resolution(Range)
conversion C => V/Ohm => C
VI

Standard- from tables (or internet)

Random
(No Linear)

VI

Static Temperature Measurement - Data

Mean (Celsius)
Thermocouple

Ice Slush
Boiling Water

Std Dev (Celsius)

1.528

0.840

100.200

0.425

Mean (Celsius)
RTD

Ice Slush
Boiling Water

Std Dev (Celsius)

2.363

0.173

103.680

0.286

Mean (Celsius)
Thermistor

Ice Slush
Boiling Water

Std Dev (Celsius)

0.858

0.028

100.514

0.068

Water Time Response Measurement

Set up DAQ to collect data continuously, for all 3 probes
Set out tap water to let it reach room temperature; verify with
DMM temperature probe
Heat water in flask on the heating mantle to a boil
Place the probes in the hot water; allow them time to adjust
Start DAQ and place the probes quickly into the room temp water,
stir

Water Time Response Measurement (cont)

It wont take long for the probes to read room temperature
Because of how fast the time constants are in water, data collection
should take no more than 20 seconds or so
Use Excel Solver to find the time constant from the data
It took a few tries to collect the right amount of data
Due to the very fast response of the thermocouple, taking data for
it separately may be necessary
Our time constants were all very small.

Data - Water Time Response

Air Time Response

Set up DAQ to collect data continuously, for all 3 probes
We used the test stand to hold the probes directly over a hair dryer
A container (preferably fire resistant) can be used to contain the hot
air, providing a hotter starting temperature
Run the DAQ, and remove the probes from above the dryer
We ran our DAQ for 400 seconds initially, and tuned our DAQ from
there
Use Excel Solver to find the time constant from the data
Air time constants will be much slower than water. We guessed a
Tau of 80 seconds to start

VI

Data - Air Time Response

FAQs
What type is the thermocouple?
Type T
What type is our RTD?
PT 3851
Where should the thermometer be positioned?
Around the middle of the ice suspended in the water
Why is the VI stuck initiating when opening the VI?
The thermocouple DAQ assistant doesnt play nice with being
reloaded, so its best to create it and finish the readings without
closing the VI

FAQs
Which wire is positive and which is negative with the Thermocouple?
The purple wire is positive and the brownish/red wire is negative
Our thermocouple isnt reading a consistent number, it is constantly
moving .9 degrees Celsius, is this okay?
While Dr. Wanklyn would like to see less of a change in the
temperatures, it is okay to continue on with the lab.
Do we need to have the battery hooked up to both the thermistor and
RTD when we measure the temperature?
-Yes, when you run each device they will need to be hooked up to their
respective current ports on the battery.

Questions?