Temperature sensors are a part of a gauge, temperature or thermometer control device. These sensors detect changes in temperature after which the device reads, determines the change, translates it into degrees and then displays it. Devices such as thermostats react to the change by turning other devices on or off to adjust the temperature that is being monitored.
Types of temperature sensors:
Thermistors
With a change in temperature, the resistance of semiconductor material inside thermistors also changes. As the temperature rises, the resistance begins to fall. Thermistors are widely used in appliances and household items to measure and respond to changes in temperature.
The upper range of thermistors is 500 degrees F. Thermistors are extremely sensitive compared to other types of sensors such as resistive temperature detectors (RTDs) and thermocouples. While sensing the changes in temperature, thermistors have an average to fast response time.
Resistive temperature detectors (RTD)
RTDs or resistive temperature detectors are another type of resistance sensor where its resistance rises with a rise in temperature. The increase in resistance of RTDs can be correlated to degrees. An RTD can measure temperatures from -400 degrees F to 1200 degrees F. These temperature sensors are extensively used in industry for measuring fluid and surface temperatures.
Thermocouples
Thermocouples have an extensive range of operating temperatures. While a usual household oven utilises a thermistor temperature sensor, a kiln on the other had uses a thermocouple due to its higher operating temperature. The device to which thermocouples are connected reads the voltage and transforms it into a temperature reading.
