03.06.2015 Views

Understanding Infrared Thermography Reading 3

Understanding Infrared Thermography Reading 3

Understanding Infrared Thermography Reading 3

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

■ Thermocouple<br />

Thermocouples are contact temperature sensors based on the thermoelectric<br />

effect. or Seebeck effect. Thomas Seebeck discovered that, when two<br />

dissimilar metals arc joined at both ends and these ends are at different<br />

temperatures, a predictable direct current will flow through the circuit. The<br />

thermoelectric coefficient determines the relationship between this current<br />

and the temperature difference between the two junctions. This coefficient is<br />

known for each type of thermocouple. To configure a thermometer. the circuit<br />

is broken and the open-circuit voltage is measured by a volt meter. One of the<br />

two junctions is then held al a reference temperature. such as an ice bath,<br />

and the voltage is calibrated to indicate the temperature of the other junction.<br />

which then becomes the temperature sensing junction. Thermopiles arc<br />

banks of thermocouples connected in parallel or in series to increase output<br />

gradient. The reference temperature is important because of the<br />

thermocouples' non linear response.<br />

Keywords:<br />

thermoelectric coefficient<br />

Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!