Temperature measurement and control play a vital role in industrial process monitoring. Industrial applications require constant temperature control to ensure operational success and to avoid safety hazards, machinery downtime and hazardous situations. For industrial environments, it’s important to ensure you have the appropriate temperature control and measurement device in place. In this article, we look at what temperature sensors are, their applications and the different types available for industrial environments.
What are temperature sensors and their applications?
Temperature sensors are a piece of equipment that measures the temperature of different environments. They provide readings via electrical signals which are determined by the voltage in the diode and its resistance which is detected and reflected in readable values of temperature like Centigrade, Fahrenheit or Kelvin. They are employed in various industrial and commercial environments and equipment.
There are various industrial temperature sensors, the most common being resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) and thermocouples. Among these, probe-type sensors are the most beneficial for industrial applications due to their features being suited to remote and hazardous environments.
There are many reasons temperature sensors are required in industrial applications. For instance, they are suitable for sensitive industrial locations that require temperature monitoring to function like HVAC systems, boiler units, power stations and more.
Probe-type sensors are particularly useful in monitoring temperatures in areas humans can’t reach. These kinds of sensors are most commonly used in industries such as power and utility stations, mining and drilling, energy generation and distribution, industrial process monitoring and more.
Types of temperature sensors
Here’s a quick look at the most common types of temperature sensors for industrial applications.
Thermocouples
A thermocouple is a type of temperature sensor that consists of two metal wires which are joined and connected to a thermocouple thermometer. They provide readings over a huge range of temperatures and are known for their versatile nature and wide-ranging applications.
Resistance temperature detectors (RTD)
An RTD is a type of temperature sensor in which the resistance changes in line with temperature changes. When the temperature of the sensor increases so does the resistance. This is a passive piece of equipment that uses external electronic devices to measure resistance by passing an electric current to generate voltage.
Thermistors
Similar to RTDs, thermistors' resistance changes along with the temperature. However, they are formed using semiconductor materials (metals and metal oxides) which means they exhibit a nonlinear temperature vs resistance curve. This means that they are more sensitive than other temperature sensors and are ideal for industrial set-point applications.
Discover the range of temperature controllers, flow metres and timers at Preferred Spares
When it comes to industrial applications, it’s important to choose the right type of temperature sensor to suit your needs.
As one of the leading industrial automation and electrical equipment providers in the UAE, Preferred Spares offers a range of temperature metres, sensors, timers and spare parts for industrial use from the world’s leading manufacturers.
Explore the range of temperature control equipment such as the Omega DP7001 series of temperature metres that can be bought on the Preferred Spares website.
