On generalisation of dual-thermocouple sensor characterisation to RTDs

Abstract

Abstract-Intrusive temperature sensors such as thermocouples and resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) have become industry standards for simple and cost-effective temperature measurement. However, many situations require the use of physically robust and therefore low bandwidth temperature sensors. Much work has been published on dual-thermocouple thermometry as a means of obtaining increased sensor bandwidth from relatively robust thermocouples, which are assumed to have firstorder response. This contribution seeks to determine if RTDs, which are known to have approximately first-order response [1], can also be characterised using the dual-thermocouple approach. Experimental results show that the response of an RTD cannot be represented by a first-order model with sufficient accuracy to allow successful application of this method. Furthermore, simulation studies demonstrated that if a sensor exhibits even marginally second-order response, highly inaccurate temperature reconstructions follow. It is concluded that a higher-order model that more accurately reflects RTD response would be required for successful dual-RTD characterisation.