Temperature Sensors and Applications

A temperature sensor is a sensor that senses temperature and converts it into a usable output signal. Temperature sensors are the core part of temperature measuring instruments and come in a wide variety. According to the measurement method can be divided into two categories of contact and non-contact, according to the sensor material and electronic component characteristics are divided into two categories of RTDs and thermocouples.

The technical specifications of temperature sensors include measurement accuracy, resolution, measurement temperature range, and time constant.

（1）Contact temperature sensor

The detecting part of a contact temperature sensor is in good contact with the object to be measured, also known as a thermometer. The thermometer achieves thermal equilibrium by conduction or convection so that the value of the thermometer can directly represent the temperature of the object to be measured.

Generally high measurement accuracy. Commonly used thermometers include bimetallic thermometers, glass liquid thermometers, pressure thermometers, resistance thermometers, thermistors, and temperature difference thermocouples. They are widely used in industry, agriculture, commerce and other sectors.

（2）Thermocouples and thermistors

1. Thermocouple, the most commonly used temperature sensor for temperature measurement. Its main benefits are temperature range and adaptability to a variety of atmospheric conditions, and it is sturdy, inexpensive, requires no power supply, and is the cheapest.

2. Thermistors, which are made of semiconductor materials, mostly have a negative temperature coefficient, i.e., the resistance decreases with increasing temperature. Changes in temperature cause large changes in resistance, so it is the most sensitive temperature sensor. However, the linearity of thermistors is extremely poor and is highly dependent on the production process. Thermistors are very small and respond quickly to temperature changes. However, thermistors require the use of a current source, and their small size also makes them extremely sensitive to self-heating errors.

 （3）Non-Contact Temperature Sensors

Its sensitive components and the measured object do not contact each other, also known as non-contact temperature measurement instrument. This instrument can be used to measure the surface temperature of moving objects, small targets and objects with rapid changes in heat capacity or temperature, and can also be used to measure the temperature distribution of temperature differences.
The most commonly used non-contact temperature measurement instruments are based on the basic law of blackbody radiation and are called radiation temperature measurement instruments.

（4）Threaded Screw-in Temperature Sensors

The shape of the sensor is shown in the figure

CLZ Optical Co., Ltd. is dedicated to the production and manufacture of specialized optical components, and we are integrated from design to production and sales. Optical components are widely used in various fields, including medical, aerospace, laser, military, sensors, and so on. Our main products include spherical lenses, cylindrical lenses, optical domes, optical prisms, and optical windows, which are used in the temperature sensors mentioned in this article. We can also provide customized services using various substrate materials, Including sapphire, fused silica, silicon and so on.Please contact us free time if you have any needs!