A temperature sensor is a sensor that can sense temperature and convert it into a usable output signal. It mainly converts temperature into a usable output signal by utilizing the law that various physical properties of a substance change with temperature.
The contact temperature measurement method is to make the temperature sensitive element contact with the object to be measured so that it can fully exchange heat. When the heat exchange is balanced, the temperature of the temperature sensitive element is equal to that of the object to be measured, and the output size of the temperature sensor reflects the temperature of the object to be measured.
Common contact temperature measurement temperature sensors are mainly divided into two categories: those that convert temperature into non-electrical quantity and those that convert temperature into electrical quantity. The temperature sensors that convert into non-electrical quantity are mainly thermal expansion temperature sensors; the temperature sensors that convert into electrical quantity are mainly thermocouples, thermal resistors, thermistors and integrated temperature sensors. Since thermocouples, thermal resistors and thermistors are all thermoelectric sensors, they are methods of converting temperature into potential and resistance and have been widely used in industrial production.
A non-contact temperature sensor is a sensor whose sensitive element does not contact the object to be measured, but monitors the temperature of the object to be measured by utilizing the infrared energy radiated outward by the object to be measured itself, and displays the temperature value of the object to be measured.
Non-contact temperature measurement When any object is heated, part of the heat will be converted into radiation energy (also known as thermal radiation). The higher the temperature, the more energy will be radiated to the surrounding, and the two satisfy a certain functional relationship. Since non-contact temperature measurement uses the thermal radiation of the object, it is often also called radiation temperature measurement. It is mainly used in chemical, oil and gas, consumer electronics, energy and electricity, automotive electronics, metal mining and other scenarios.
Different types of temperature sensors have different operating principles, but can be roughly summarized as materials or principles that are sensitive to temperature changes. The changes in this material or principle are measured and converted into electrical signals or other forms of output to represent temperature changes. Choosing an appropriate temperature sensor depends on the needs of the application, such as accuracy, sensitivity, response time, temperature range and other factors.