Advantages Disadvantages of RTD Thermocouple Thermistor Temp IC Sensors

Hi Greeting,

Friends we always come across various temperature sensors like RTD, Thermocouple, Thermistor, temperature sensing IC’s while doing automation of process plants. It’s very essential to know about advantages & disadvantages of the entire sensors so that we can select them with ease.

So let’s start with Thermocouple.

Thermocouple:

 

 Advantages of Thermocouple:

•   Self Powered
•   Simple
•   Rugged
•   Inexpensive
•   Wide Variety
•   Wide Temp Range

Disadvantages of Thermocouple:

•   Non Linear
•   Reference Required
•   Low Voltage
•   Least Stable 
•   Least Sensitive

 RTD:

  

Advantages of RTD:

•   Most Stable
•   Most Accurate
•   More Linear than Thermocouple

Disadvantages of RTD:

•   Expensive
•   Current Source Required
•   Small  ∆R
•   Low absolute Resistance
•   Self heating

Thermistor:

Advantages of Thermistor:

•   High Output
•   Fast
•   Two wire ohms measurement.

Disadvantages of Thermistor:

•   Non Linear
•   Limited Temperature Range.
•   Fragile
•   Current Source required.
•   Self heating

IC Sensors:

Advantages of IC Sensor:

•   Highest Output.
•   Inexpensive.
•   Most linear.

Disadvantages of IC Sensor:

•   T< 200C.
•   Power supply required.
•   Slow.
•   Limited Configuration.
•   Self heating