INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS

Experiment No. 6
TRANSDUCER FUNDAMENTALS
Course: Section:
Group No.: Date Performed:
Group Members: Date Submitted:
Instructor:

1. Objective(s):
To introduce basicprinciples, forward voltage and current characteristics for semiconductor diodes
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
1. Evaluate the performance of IC temperature sensing circuit.
2. Analyze the temperature sensitivity of thermistor in distinguishing temperature changes
3. Differentiate the performance effectiveness of both transducers

3. Discussion:

Transducer is a device which converts the value of a controlled variable into an electrical signal invented to
measure virtually every physical variable that are encountered such as positions speed, acceleration, force power,
pressure, flow rate, temperature, light intensity and humidity.

An integrated circuit temperature transducer (Integrated Circuit Transducer) is an integrated circuit that is
supplied through a constant voltage and that has an output voltage that is proportional to its temperature.
The shape and the dimensions of an IC transducer are typically very similar to those of a transistor; the
main characteristics are: high reliability, piloting simplicity and linear behaviour. However, they have a
limited temperature range: from -40° to 125° C. The transducer that is used in the module is coded LM35
and its characteristic is to have an output voltage of 10mV for each degree of temperature (Celsius).

4. Equipment:
De Lorenzo 3155E25
Digital Multimeter
Cable Set
Connecting Wires

5. Procedure:
Calculation Formulas:

Temperature :

Temperature :

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Activity 1 - Measurement of the temperature through an IC transducer

General Guideline

Always turn on the base frame first before turning on the DL Student Navigator 2 Software. Turn off the
software after performing one activity and turn it on before performing a new activity to reset the software
and hardware communication.

Schematic Diagram

Reference Supply IC Signal Conditioner

Figure 6.1 (a) Figure 6.1 (b)

Figure 6.1 (c) Heating

The circuit that will be used is the one in Fig1.1 that represents the function that is performed by the IC
TRANSDUCER block. The voltage that is generated by IC1 (proportional to the temperature) can be found at the
output terminal of the IC1 block and must be connected to the non inverting input terminal of the operational
amplifier, while the terminal of the inverting input must be connected to the earth terminal.

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The transducer measures the temperature of the resistive chip that is situated in the HEATER block: in order to
modify the temperature of the resistive chip, electric power is supplied to it by the HEATING block. By modulating this
power it is possible to vary the temperature of the resistive chip.

In order to heat the HEATER block, where it is physically placed the temperature sensor, you must connect
through a lead terminal H of the HEATING block to terminal H of the HEATER block. By fully rotating clockwise the
trimmer of the HEATING block, you obtain the minimum heating (cooling), while by fully rotating the trimmer counter-
clockwise, you obtain the maximum heating.

Since the output voltage of the IC TRANSDUCER is 10 mV/°C and the amplification G of the amplifier is equal to
10, the voltage that you read at the terminal Vo (in Volts) corresponds to the tenth of degrees (for example, a
temperature of 54.5 °C corresponds to a voltage of 5.45 V).

1. Insert the Module DL 3155E25 in the console and set the main switch to ON. Connect the circuit as shown
in Figure 6.2.

Figure 6.2

2. Connect the output terminal of the IC1 block to the terminal of the non inverting input of the operational
amplifier
3. Connect the terminal of the inverting input to the earth terminal.
4. Connect through a lead terminal H of the HEATING block to terminal H of the HEATER block
5. Insert the multimeter, set for the measurement of direct voltages, between terminal H of the HEATER block
and the earth and measure the applied voltage
6. Take, through the trimmer of the HEATING block, the voltage that is applied to terminal H of the HEATER
block to the value of 12Vdc (remember that the measured voltage is inverse with respect to the voltage that
is applied to the heating resistances)
7. Measure the output voltage Vo: since the output voltage of the IC TRANSDUCER is 10 mV/°C and the
amplification of the amplifier is G = 10, the voltage that is read (in Volts) corresponds to the tenth of degrees
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(for example, a temperature of 54.5 °C corresponds to a voltage of 5.45 V)

8. Wait until the temperature stabilizes and then write the measurement in Table 6.1
Table 6.1

Voltage of the Heater Temperature

[V] [°C]
12 38.79 °C
10 44.40 °C
8 48.6 °C
6 53.8 °C
4 59.2 °C
2 63.1 °C

9. Repeat the measurement for all the voltage values that are listed in the table.
10. Comment the behavior of the temperature as a function of the supplied power.

Activity 2 - Measurement of the temperature through a current output IC transducer

Schematic Diagram

4-20mA Transmitter

Figure 6.3

The circuit that will be used is the one in Fig. 6.4 that represents the function that is performed by the IC
TRANSDUCER block. The voltage that is generated by IC1 (proportional to the temperature) can be found at the
output terminal of the IC1 block and must be connected to the non inverting input terminal of the operational
amplifier, while the terminal of the inverting input must be connected to the earth terminal.

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Figure 6.4

The transducer measures the temperature of the resistive chip that is situated in the HEATER block: in
order to modify the temperature of the resistive chip, electric power is supplied to it by the HEATING block. By
modulating this power it is possible to vary the temperature of the resistive chip.

In order to heat the HEATER block, where it is physically placed the temperature sensor, you must connect
through a lead terminal H of the HEATING block to terminal H of the HEATER block. By fully rotating clockwise the
trimmer of the HEATING block, you obtain the minimum heating (cooling), while by fully rotating the trimmer counter-
clockwise, you obtain the maximum heating.

Since the output voltage of the IC TRANSDUCER is 10 mV/°C and the amplification G of the amplifier is
equal to 10, the voltage that you read at the terminal Vo (in Volts) corresponds to the tenth of degrees (for example, a
temperature of 54.5 °C corresponds to a voltage of 5.45 V).

1. Insert the Module DL 3155E25 in the console and set the main switch to ON
2. Connect the output terminal of the IC1 block to the terminal of the non inverting input of the operational
amplifier
3. Connect the terminal of the inverting input to the earth terminal
4. Connect through a lead terminal H of the HEATING block to terminal H of the HEATER block
5. Connect through a lead the output Vo of the IC TRANSDUCER to the input Vi of the 4-20 mA
TRANSDUCER block
6. Insert the multimeter, set for the measurement of direct voltages, between terminal H of the HEATER block
and the earth and measure the applied voltage
7. Take, through the trimmer of the HEATING block, the voltage that is applied to terminal H of the HEATER
block to the value of 12Vdc (remember that the measured voltage is inverse with respect to the voltage that
is applied to the heating resistances)
8. Measure the output current Io of the 4-20 mA TRANSDUCER block: the current can be measured by
measuring the voltage at the ends of RL (RL = 100 Ohm)
9. Wait until the temperature stabilizes and then write the measurement in Table 6.2

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10. Repeat the measurement for all the voltage values that are listed in the table.
11. Comment the behavior of the temperature as a function of the supplied power and compare the results with
those of the previous experiment

Activity 3 – Measurement of the temperature through a thermistor

The circuit that will be used is the one in Fig.6.5 that represents the function that is performed by the
THERMISTOR block. In the module an NTC thermistor has been used.

The variation of the resistance that is generated by the thermistor is measured through a resistive divider
composed of R1 and of the thermistor. The resistance R2 has the purpose of making linear the characteristic of the
thermistor. The voltage that is supplied by the divider, proportional to the resistance of the thermistor and, therefore,
to its temperature, is connected to the non inverting input of the operational amplifier, acting as a buffer of the voltage
of the divider that allows to use the voltage of the divider without influencing said voltage.

00The thermistor measures the temperature of the resistive chip that is placed in the HEATER block: in
order to modify the temperature of the resistive chip, electric power is supplied to it by the HEATING block. By
modulating this power it is possible to vary the temperature of the resistive chip.

In order to heat the HEATER block you must connect through a lead terminal H of the HEATING block to
terminal H of the HEATER block. By fully rotating clockwise the trimmer of the HEATING block, you obtain the
minimum heating (cooling), while by fully rotating the trimmer counter-clockwise, you obtain the maximum heating.

Figure 6.5

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1. Insert the Module DL 3155E25 in the console and set the main switch to ON.
2. Connect through a lead terminal H of the HEATING block to terminal H of the HEATER block and turn the
trimmer of the HEATING block fully clockwise.
3. In the IC TRANSDUCER block connect the output terminal of the IC1 block to the terminal of the non
inverting input of the operational amplifier and connect the terminal of the inverting input to the earth
terminal. The output Vo of this block will be the reference voltage.
4. Insert the multimeter, set for the measurement of direct voltages, between the terminal Vo of the IC
TRANSDUCER block and the earth and measure the “temperature” that has been reached (1 V = 10°C).
5. Wait until the temperature that is indicated by the IC TRANSDUCER stabilizes to the ambient value.
6. Turn the trimmer of the HEATING block fully counter clockwise.
7. When the multimeter measures a temperature of 40 °C move the multimeter to the terminal Vo of the
THERMISTOR block, measure the voltage and write it in Table 6.3

Table 6.3

Temperature Voltage of the thermistor

[°C] [V]
40 4.43 V
45 4.23 V
50 3.49 V
55 2.94 V
60 2.57 V
65 2.23 V

8. Take the multimeter back between the terminal Vo of the IC TRANSDUCER block and the earth and
measure the “temperature” that has been reached: wait until the temperature reaches 45°C and repeat the
measurement of the voltage of the thermistor.
9. Repeat the measurements for all the temperature values that are listed in the table.
10. Comment the behavior of the temperature that is measured by the thermistor as a function of the
temperature that is measured by the IC TRANSDUCER.

Activity 4 – Measurement of the temperature through a thermocouple

Schematic Diagram

Figure 6.6
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Figure 6.7

The circuit represents the function performed by the THERMOCOUPLE block. The voltage that is
generated by the thermocouple can be found at the terminals that are indicated through the symbols “ + “ e
“ – “. The voltage that you find at these terminal because of the Seebeck effect is so small that it is
necessary to amplify this signal: therefore, connect through two leads the terminal + to the terminal of the
non inverting input and the terminal – to the terminal of the inverting input of the INSTRUMENTATION
AMPLIFIER. The output Vo of the latter must be connected through a lead to the non inverting input of the
THERMOCOUPLE block. In the INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER block you must select the gain 1000 by
moving toward the right only the corresponding dip switch.

The thermocouple measures the temperature of the resistive chip that is placed in the HEATER
block: in order to modify the temperature of the resistive chip, electric power is supplied to it by the
HEATING block. By modulating this power it is possible to vary the temperature of the resistive chip.
In order to heat the HEATER block you must connect through a lead terminal H of the HEATING block to
terminal H of the HEATER block. By fully rotating clockwise the trimmer of the HEATING block, you obtain
the minimum heating (cooling), while by fully rotating the trimmer counter-clockwise, you obtain the
maximum heating.

1. Insert the Module DL 3155E25 in the console and set the main switch to ON.
2. Connect, through two leads, the terminal “ + “ to the terminal of the non inverting input and the
terminal “ – “ to the terminal of the inverting input of the INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER.
3. Connect the output Vo of the INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER through a lead to the non
inverting input of the THERMOCOUPLE block.
4. Move the dip switches 1, 2, 3 of the INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER to OFF while the fourth
dip switch must be set to ON (G = 1000).
5. Connect through a lead terminal H of the HEATING block to terminal H of the HEATER block
and turn the trimmer of the HEATING block fully clockwise.
6. In the IC TRANSDUCER block connect the output terminal of the IC1 block to the terminal of
the non inverting input of the operational amplifier and connect the terminal of the inverting

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input to the earth terminal. The output Vo of this block will be the reference voltage.
7. Wait until the temperature that is indicated by the IC TRANSDUCER stabilizes to the ambient
value.
8. Insert the multimeter, set for the measurement of direct voltages, between the terminal Vo of
the IC TRANSDUCER block and the earth and measure the “temperature” that has been
reached.
9. Turn the trimmer of the HEATING block fully counter clockwise.
10. When the multimeter measures a temperature of 40 °C move the multimeter to the terminal Vo
of the THERMOCOUPLE block, measure the voltage and write it in Table 6.4

Table 6.4

Temperature Voltage of the thermocouple

[°C] [V]
40.6 °C 2.706 V
43.9 °C 3.81 V
49.6 °C 5.38 V
54.7 °C 6.82 V
59.6 °C 7.76 V
61.1 °C 9.03 V

11. Take the multimeter back between the terminal Vo of the IC TRANSDUCER block and the
earth and measure the “temperature” that has been reached: wait until the temperature
reaches 45°C and repeat the measurement of the voltage of the thermocouple.
12. Repeat the measurements for all the temperature values that are listed in the table.
13. Comment the behavior of the temperature that is measured by the thermocouple as a function
of the temperature that is measured by the IC TRANSDUCER.

6. Observation:

For the experiment, the primary resources to be used is a computer set, De Lorenzo module,

Digital Multimeter, cable set and connecting wires. The experiment will be using three temperature

transducers with three different set-ups to test their effectivity and sensitivity. Activity 1 was observed to

have a given voltage of decreasing value as it’s acquired temperature increases. Activity 3 was observed to

have an increasing temperature as the acquired voltage of thermistor decreases. Activity 4 was observed to

have an increasing temperature as the time is also incrementing. Since temperature is increasing the

voltage of the thermocouple also increases.

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7. Interpretation

The main result of the experiment will draw on the data that was gathered for the examination of

transducer fundamentals and their basic principles. The experiment was divided into three parts. The first

activity focuses on the measurement of the temperature using an IC transducer. The second activity

focuses on the measurement of the temperature using a thermistor. And lastly, the third activity focuses on

the measurement using a thermocouple. A given schematic diagram was followed and then plotted onto the

De Lorenzo module using connecting wires and cables. There are different blocks that were located on the

module to be used.

The first activity uses the IC transducer block where the voltage generated by IC1 is proportional to

the temperature. Table 6.1 draws the result of the measured temperature of a given voltage. For the

voltage of 12 V a temperature of 38.79 °C was acquired, 44.40 °C for 10 V, 48.6 °C for 8 V, 53.8 °C for 6 V

59.2 °C for 4 V and 63.1 for 2 V respectively. The second activity uses the Thermistor where it measures

the temperature of the resistive chip that is placed in the heater block. Table 6.3 comprises the result of the

temperature and the voltage of the thermistor. For the temperature of 40 °C a voltage of 4.43 V was

obtained, 45 °C for 4.23 V, 50 °C for 3.49 V, 55 °C for 2.9, 60 °C 2.57 V, 65 °C for 2.23 V. The third

activity uses the thermocouple block where it measures the resistive chip that is placed in the Heater block.

Table 6.4 draws the result of the measured temperature using thermocouple. For the temperature of 40.6

°C a voltage of 2.706 V was acquired, 43.9 °C for 3.81 V, 49.6 °C for 5.38 V, 54.7 °C for 6.82 V, 59.6 °C

for 7.76 and 61.6 °C for 9.03 V.

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8. Conclusion:

The experiment aims to introduce the basic principles, forward voltage and current characteristics

for semiconductor diodes. It is also intended to examine the performance of IC temperature sensing circuit

using the given schematic diagram that was plotted onto the De Lorenzo module. For this experiment three

different transducers were used. Transducers are device that converts the value of a controlled variable

into an electrical signal inverted to measure virtually every physical variable that are encountered with

different parameters such as position speed, acceleration, force power, pressure, flow rate, temperature,

light intensity and humidity.

The experiment was also intended to analyze the temperature sensitivity of thermistor while

characterizing its temperature changes. As the experiment materializes, it was proven that voltage varies

inversely with temperature in measuring the temperature in IC transducer. On the other hand, it was proven

that voltage of the thermistor varies inversely with the acquired temperature. Lastly, the temperature varies

inversely with the voltage of the thermocouple. As the result of the experiment suggests, the effectiveness

and sensitivity of the three transducers were proven.

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9. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

10. Assessment Task:

1. Describe the temperature response characteristic of a thermistor.

The relationship between a thermistor’s temperature and its resistance is highly dependent
upon the materials from which it’s composed. If is positive, the resistance increases with
increasing temperature, and the device is called a positive temperature coefficient thermistor,
or posistor. If is negative, the resistance decreases with increasing temperature, and the
device is called a negative temperature coefficient thermistor.

2. Among the three temperature transducers, which do you think gives a higher sensitivity to changes in
temperature? Explain your answer briefly.

Overall, Thermocouple is the most accurate and stable sensors over a long time period ideally
used in industrial applications because they work reliably at very high temperatures and are
less expensive than RTD’s. In building automation they are rarely required because most
temperatures measured are less than 100C and because of their improved accuracy and long
term stability

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