TEMPERATURE

MEASUREMENT LABORATORY

SE GE JUNG
ENGR 382
PROFESSOR HEUN
APRIL 8, 2015

1. Summary
The purpose of this lab was to familiarize with several types of temperature measuring systems
including thermocouples, alcohol thermometers, and IC temperature sensors. Furthermore, the
team learned how to use temperature measurements to determine heat transfer coefficients from
a cooling curve of a 50/50 lead/tin solder sample.
2. Methods
The lab was composed of two experiments: cooling curve of a molten liquid lead/tin solder and
comparisons of time constants for several different temperature measuring sensors.
A thermocouple was used for the first part of the experiment. A lead/tin solder sample was
heated past the temperature at which it becomes completely melted, ~310 . While the sample
was heated, the ceramic block was preheated. Solder was put in the ceramic block and
temperature cooling was measured for about 20 minutes using Solder Thermocouple.vi at 1Hz
data sample rate as shown in Figure A-1.
In the second part of the experiment, step changes in temperatures for three different sensors
were compared. For the alcohol thermometers, data was taken manually by using an observer
and a timekeeper and graphed as seen in Figure A-4. For the thermocouple, one end of the
thermocouple pair was inserted into the ice bath and the other end into the boiling water (Figure
A-5). Thermocouple in the boiling water was moved back and forth between the water and ice
bath. Data was collected using Differential Thermocouple.vi file and graphed as shown in
Figure A-6. Lastly, for the AD590 thermometer, the thermometer is moved back and forth
between the water and ice bath using IC Sensor.vi file. Thermocouples and IC thermometer
recorded temperature in voltages. To convert voltages to temperature, Eq. B-1 was used.
Cooling curves before and after the phase transitions (above 1 and below 2 ) were graphed
along with the theoretical curve (Figures A-2 and A-3) using Eq. B-3. The time constants, ,
were altered until the theoretical curves closely fitted the cooling curves. Using the two time
constants, the heat loss coefficients hS of the lead/tin solder sample were determined by using
Eq. B-2.
3. Results
As seen in Table 3-1, none of the temperature sensors have the same time constants. This
suggests that all of the three temperature sensors have varying step changes in temperature.
Table 3-1: Time constants of three temperature sensors.
Sensor
Alcohol
Thermocouple
IC Thermometer

Calvin College Engineering

Time Constant
Hot to Cold [s]
13.49
0.82
5.03

Cold to Hot [s]

15.50
0.93
5.98

Time constants of the alcohol thermometer are the largest whereas the thermocouple time
constants are the smallest. Hot to cold time constants are smaller than those of hot to cold for all
of the temperature measurement sensors because heat flows from hot to cold faster than from
cold to hot as referred in the second law of thermodynamics. Alcohol thermometer time
constants have the largest discrepancy because an observer read the temperature readings.
Heating and cooling curves are compared to the response of the active filter to a step change as
shown in Figure A-7.
The calculated time constants and heat loss coefficients, hS, of the solder sample is tabulated
below.
Table 3-2: Time Constants and Heat Loss Coefficient at before and after Phase Transitions.
Liquid Phase (above T1)
Solid Phase (below T2)
245 s
580 s
Time Constant,
5
Heat Loss Coefficient, hS
6.20 10 /
2.34 105 /
Heat loss coefficient in the liquid phase of the solder sample is higher than that of the solid phase
because the time constant at the liquid phase is smaller than that of the solid phase. Temperature
drops faster in the liquid phase and therefore takes more energy. Solder composition based on T1
and T2 is 48/52 lead/tin.
4. Conclusion
Time constants of cold to hot and hot to cold of several types of temperature measurement
sensors, including alcohol thermometer, thermocouple, and IC thermometer were found
experimentally. Rate of temperature change was faster in hot to cold because heat transfers from
hot to cold. Using the cooling curve of the lead/tin solder and the theoretical curve, time
constants were found and heat loss coefficients were calculated. The values of hS indicated that
there were more energy transfer in the liquid phase before the phase transition.

Calvin College Engineering

Appendix A Figures

Cooling Curve of Lead/Tin Solder

400
350

Temperature [C]

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Time [s]

Figure A-1: Cooling curve of 50/50 lead/tin solder sample.

Theoretical Curve above T1

400
350
Temperature [C]

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0

20

40

60

Experiment

80
Time [s]

100

120

140

160

Prediction

Figure A-2: Theoretical curve and experimental data before the phase transition.
Calvin College Engineering

Theoretical Curve below T2

200
180

Temperature [C]

160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0

100

200

300

400
Time [s]

Experiment

500

600

700

800

Prediction

Figure A-3: Theoretical curve and experimental data after the phase transition.

Alchohol Thermometer
120

Temperature [C]

100

80

60

40

20

0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Time [s]
Hot to Cold

Cold to Hot

Figure A-4: Alcohol temperature measurements from cold to hot and vice versa.
Calvin College Engineering

Thermocouple
120

Temperature [C]

100
80
60
40
20
0
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8 Time1[s]
Hot to Cold

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Cold to Hot

Figure A-5: Thermocouple temperature measurements from cold to hot and vice versa.

AD590
120
100

Temperature [C]

80
60
40
20
0
0

10

20

-20

30

40

50

60

Time [s]
Hot to Cold

Cold to Hot

Figure A-6: AD590 thermometer temperature measurements from cold to hot and vice versa.

Calvin College Engineering

Active, Low-Pass Filter at 100Hz

6
4

Voltage [V]

2
0
0

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.01

0.012

-2
-4
-6

Time [s]
Input

Output

Figure A-7: Input and Output Voltage of Active, Low-Pass Filter at 100Hz.

Calvin College Engineering

Appendix B Equations
Conversion V to T

= +

Heat Loss Coefficient

( )

(B-1)

(B-2)

/

Temperature Prediction

= + ( )

(B-3)

Calvin College Engineering

Appendix C Tables
Table C-1: Alcohol Thermometer data
Cold to Hot
Time [s]

Hot to Cold

Temp [C]

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
105
110

0
24
50
65
75
81.5
86
89
91
92
93
94
94.5
95
95
95
95.5
96
96
96
96
96
96

Time [s]
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
105
110

Temp [C]
96
75
53
37
27
21
16
13
11
9
8
6.5
5
4.1
3.5
2.8
2.1
1.9
1.5
1
0.8
0.5
0

Table C-2: Thermocouple data

Cold to Hot

Hot to Cold

Time [s]

Voltage [V]

Temperature [C]

Time [s]

Voltage [V]

Temperature [C]

0.000
0.050
0.100
0.150
0.200
0.250
0.300
0.350
0.400
0.450

0.011
0.015
0.015
0.011
0.015
0.015
0.011
0.015
0.018
0.015

0.518
0.594
0.594
0.670
0.594
0.746
0.746
0.898
0.974
1.277

0.000
0.050
0.100
0.150
0.200
0.250
0.300
0.350
0.400
0.450

0.005
0.011
0.011
0.015
0.015
0.011
0.011
0.011
0.008
0.011

98.430
98.196
96.511
94.007
91.433
88.695
85.956
83.616
81.627
80.036

Calvin College Engineering

0.500
0.550
0.600
0.650
0.700
0.750
0.800
0.850
0.900
0.950
1.000
1.050
1.100
1.150
1.200
1.250
1.300
1.350
1.400
1.450
1.500
1.550
1.600
1.650
1.700
1.750
1.800
1.850

0.015
0.015
0.011
0.015
0.011
0.008
0.015
0.015
0.011
0.011
0.015
0.015
0.015
0.011
0.015
0.011
0.015
0.015
0.011
0.011
0.015
0.011
0.015
0.011
0.015
0.008
0.015
0.011

1.657
2.189
3.111
6.528
20.195
38.332
55.744
68.943
77.836
83.827
87.782
90.286
91.807
92.790
93.562
94.171
94.686
95.224
95.598
95.996
96.137
96.207
96.066
96.371
96.207
96.137
95.996
95.832

0.500
0.550
0.600
0.650
0.700
0.750
0.800
0.850
0.900
0.950
1.000
1.050
1.100
1.150
1.200
1.250
1.300
1.350
1.400
1.450
1.500
1.550
1.600
1.650
1.700
1.750
1.800
1.850

0.011
0.015
0.011
0.011
0.008
0.011
0.011
0.015
0.015
0.011
0.011
0.011
0.015
0.011
0.011
0.008
0.015
0.011
0.018
0.015
0.011
0.008
0.011
0.008
0.011
0.011
0.011
0.011

78.982
78.000
77.391
76.619
76.010
74.793
65.081
51.789
40.087
31.499
25.508
21.178
17.995
15.562
13.877
12.823
11.981
11.536
11.373
11.232
11.232
10.998
10.928
10.764
10.460
10.249
10.015
9.547

Table C-3: IC Thermometer data

Cold to Hot
Time [s]
0.000
0.500
0.507
1.007
1.014
1.514
1.521
2.021
2.029
2.529

Voltage [V]
0.274
0.272
0.271
0.272
0.272
0.272
0.273
0.273
0.272
0.272

Calvin College Engineering

Temperature [C]
-2.291
-4.123
-4.457
-3.958
-3.624
-3.958
-3.291
-3.124
-4.123
-3.458

Hot to Cold
Time [s]
0.000
0.500
0.508
1.008
1.012
1.512
1.517
2.017
2.023
2.523

Voltage [V]
0.373
0.373
0.373
0.373
0.373
0.373
0.374
0.373
0.372
0.373

Temperature [C]
99.502
100.502
100.002
100.335
100.002
100.002
100.669
99.669
99.336
99.835

2.536
3.036
3.044
3.544
3.550
4.050
4.056
4.556
4.560
5.060
5.065
5.565
5.572
6.072
6.080
6.580
6.588
7.088
7.095
7.595
7.600
8.100
8.108
8.608
8.615
9.115
9.123
9.623
9.628
10.128
10.134
10.634
10.642
11.142
11.149
11.649
11.656
12.156
12.163
12.663
12.671
13.171
13.179

0.271
0.273
0.272
0.272
0.272
0.273
0.273
0.271
0.272
0.273
0.271
0.271
0.273
0.272
0.272
0.273
0.272
0.275
0.275
0.280
0.280
0.287
0.288
0.295
0.295
0.302
0.303
0.309
0.310
0.317
0.316
0.322
0.323
0.328
0.327
0.333
0.332
0.336
0.337
0.341
0.340
0.344
0.344

Calvin College Engineering

-4.957
-3.291
-3.458
-4.290
-3.958
-3.291
-3.124
-4.623
-4.123
-2.791
-4.457
-5.123
-2.958
-3.624
-3.458
-3.291
-3.958
-0.458
-0.625
4.206
4.706
11.704
12.203
20.033
19.867
27.031
27.697
34.361
35.360
42.358
41.192
47.856
48.189
53.188
52.854
58.352
57.853
62.351
62.850
66.682
66.016
69.847
70.180

2.531
3.031
3.036
3.536
3.543
4.043
4.049
4.549
4.556
5.056
5.062
5.562
5.569
6.069
6.075
6.575
6.582
7.082
7.090
7.590
7.598
8.098
8.103
8.603
8.610
9.110
9.117
9.617
9.625
10.125
10.132
10.632
10.640
11.140
11.146
11.646
11.653
12.153
12.160
12.660
12.667
13.167
13.175

0.373
0.373
0.373
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.371
0.372
0.371
0.372
0.371
0.370
0.369
0.366
0.365
0.359
0.359
0.354
0.353
0.346
0.346
0.339
0.339
0.333
0.333
0.327
0.328
0.322
0.324
0.318
0.318
0.314
0.315
0.310
0.312
0.307
0.307
0.305
0.305
0.302
0.303
0.300
0.300

99.502
100.002
100.335
99.003
99.336
99.336
98.170
99.170
97.836
98.503
97.836
96.671
96.337
93.005
91.672
85.674
86.007
80.010
79.343
72.013
72.346
65.182
65.015
59.018
58.352
52.688
53.354
47.856
49.355
43.191
43.691
39.692
40.359
35.694
37.194
32.029
32.196
30.030
30.529
27.197
27.697
24.698
24.698

10

13.679
13.687
14.187
14.193
14.693
14.701
15.201
15.208
15.708
15.715
16.215
16.223
16.723
16.730
17.230
17.238
17.738
17.746
18.246
18.253
18.753
18.760
19.260
19.268
19.768
19.775
20.275
20.282
20.782
20.789
21.289
21.296
21.796
21.804
22.304
22.312
22.812
22.820
23.320
23.328
23.828
23.835
24.335

0.347
0.346
0.350
0.350
0.351
0.352
0.353
0.355
0.355
0.356
0.356
0.357
0.359
0.360
0.361
0.360
0.361
0.361
0.362
0.362
0.364
0.363
0.364
0.365
0.365
0.364
0.366
0.364
0.366
0.365
0.367
0.367
0.367
0.367
0.366
0.367
0.367
0.367
0.368
0.369
0.369
0.368
0.369

Calvin College Engineering

73.013
72.679
76.345
75.845
77.178
78.843
79.510
81.343
81.343
82.176
82.509
84.008
85.508
86.174
87.174
86.841
87.674
87.174
89.173
88.673
90.339
90.173
91.172
91.339
91.839
90.506
92.671
91.172
92.671
92.172
93.338
93.671
93.505
93.838
92.671
94.171
94.338
94.171
95.337
95.504
95.504
95.337
96.337

13.675
13.683
14.183
14.190
14.690
14.697
15.197
15.203
15.703
15.711
16.211
16.219
16.719
16.725
17.225
17.232
17.732
17.740
18.240
18.247
18.747
18.754
19.254
19.261
19.761
19.768
20.268
20.275
20.775
20.783
21.283
21.289
21.789
21.797
22.297
22.304
22.804
22.812
23.312
23.319
23.819
23.826
24.326

0.300
0.299
0.298
0.297
0.295
0.296
0.295
0.294
0.293
0.293
0.291
0.292
0.292
0.291
0.288
0.289
0.289
0.288
0.288
0.288
0.287
0.288
0.287
0.288
0.285
0.287
0.287
0.286
0.285
0.286
0.284
0.284
0.285
0.285
0.283
0.283
0.282
0.283
0.282
0.282
0.283
0.282
0.282

24.532
23.698
23.033
21.866
20.200
20.700
19.533
18.868
18.201
17.701
16.035
17.034
16.369
15.702
13.036
14.036
14.036
12.869
12.536
12.369
11.704
12.536
11.370
12.369
9.870
11.037
11.370
10.037
9.870
10.204
8.038
8.038
9.371
9.038
7.705
7.206
6.872
7.871
6.872
6.872
7.538
5.872
6.706

11

24.341
24.841
24.848
25.348
25.355
25.855
25.862
26.362
26.366
26.866
26.873
27.373
27.381
27.881
27.888
28.388
28.396
28.896
28.903
29.403
29.410
29.910
29.917
30.417
30.425
30.925
30.933
31.433
31.438
31.938
31.944
32.444
32.451
32.951
32.958
33.458
33.466
33.966
33.974
34.474
34.481
34.981
34.989

0.368
0.369
0.369
0.369
0.368
0.369
0.369
0.370
0.370
0.370
0.370
0.370
0.370
0.371
0.371
0.371
0.370
0.371
0.369
0.371
0.371
0.371
0.371
0.372
0.371
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.371
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.371
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.371
0.372
0.372
0.371
0.372

Calvin College Engineering

95.171
96.004
96.004
96.171
95.337
95.837
96.337
97.004
97.170
96.837
97.004
97.004
97.004
97.503
97.670
98.003
97.004
98.003
96.337
97.503
97.503
98.003
98.003
99.003
98.336
98.670
98.503
98.503
98.670
97.836
98.670
98.503
99.003
97.503
99.170
98.503
98.836
98.670
98.170
98.670
99.170
98.336
99.170

24.334
24.834
24.841
25.341
25.347
25.847
25.854
26.354
26.361
26.861
26.867
27.367
27.375
27.875
27.882
28.382
28.389
28.889
28.896
29.396
29.403
29.903
29.909
30.409
30.416
30.916
30.923
31.423
31.431
31.931
31.939
32.439
32.446
32.946
32.953
33.453
33.460
33.960
33.967
34.467
34.475
34.975
34.982

0.282
0.281
0.281
0.282
0.282
0.280
0.281
0.281
0.280
0.281
0.280
0.280
0.280
0.280
0.280
0.280
0.281
0.280
0.280
0.280
0.280
0.279
0.279
0.279
0.280
0.279
0.280
0.279
0.279
0.278
0.277
0.278
0.278
0.278
0.280
0.279
0.278
0.278
0.278
0.278
0.277
0.278
0.278

6.706
5.539
5.372
6.039
6.872
4.706
5.205
5.040
4.040
4.873
4.540
4.373
4.540
4.040
4.040
3.873
5.205
3.873
3.873
4.540
3.873
3.373
2.874
3.040
4.040
3.706
4.040
2.874
2.874
2.707
1.707
2.374
2.707
1.874
4.040
2.874
2.207
2.207
2.541
2.207
1.541
1.874
1.874

12

35.489
35.497
35.997
36.003
36.503
36.508
37.008
37.015
37.515
37.523
38.023
38.031
38.531
38.539
39.039
39.046
39.546
39.552
40.052
40.059
40.559
40.565
41.065
41.071
41.571
41.578
42.078
42.086
42.586
42.594
43.094
43.101
43.601
43.608
44.108
44.115
44.615
44.622
45.122
45.129
45.629
45.637
46.137

0.372
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.371
0.371
0.373
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.371
0.373
0.373
0.372
0.372
0.373
0.372
0.373
0.372
0.373
0.372
0.372
0.372
0.373
0.373
0.372
0.372
0.373
0.371
0.373
0.372
0.373
0.373
0.372
0.373
0.374
0.373
0.372
0.373
0.373
0.372
0.373

Calvin College Engineering

99.336
99.170
99.003
98.503
98.336
98.336
99.669
99.003
98.670
99.336
98.836
98.003
100.002
99.669
99.336
99.003
100.002
99.336
100.002
98.836
99.502
99.336
98.670
99.170
99.669
99.502
99.170
99.170
99.669
98.170
100.002
98.836
100.002
100.502
99.003
99.502
100.835
100.002
98.836
100.002
99.502
99.170
99.669

35.482
35.489
35.989
35.995
36.495
36.503
37.003
37.007
37.507
37.514
38.014
38.021
38.521
38.527
39.027
39.034
39.534
39.541
40.041
40.049
40.549
40.556
41.056
41.063
41.563
41.568
42.068
42.076
42.576
42.583
43.083
43.091
43.591
43.598
44.098
44.106
44.606
44.613
45.113
45.121
45.621
45.629
46.129

0.278
0.279
0.278
0.278
0.279
0.278
0.278
0.277
0.278
0.278
0.278
0.278
0.278
0.278
0.277
0.277
0.278
0.278
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.278
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.278
0.278
0.277
0.278
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.278
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.276
0.277

2.374
3.040
2.041
2.207
2.874
2.707
2.041
1.041
2.374
1.874
2.041
2.707
2.707
2.541
1.707
0.874
2.374
2.374
0.874
1.374
1.041
1.207
2.374
0.874
1.374
1.707
1.207
1.541
1.874
2.041
1.374
1.874
1.041
1.374
1.541
0.874
2.207
1.374
1.541
1.541
1.207
0.375
1.041

13

46.144
46.644
46.652
47.152
47.157
47.657
47.664
48.164
48.171
48.671
48.678
49.178
49.185
49.685

0.373
0.373
0.372
0.372
0.373
0.373
0.372
0.373
0.373
0.372
0.373
0.372
0.373
0.372

Calvin College Engineering

100.169
99.669
99.170
99.170
99.669
99.502
98.836
99.502
99.502
99.336
99.669
99.003
99.835
99.170

46.137
46.637
46.645
47.145
47.152
47.652
47.660
48.160
48.167
48.667
48.673
49.173
49.180
49.680

0.276
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.277
0.278
0.277
0.277
0.276
0.276
0.277

0.375
1.207
1.541
1.374
1.707
0.874
0.874
1.207
2.707
1.041
1.207
0.707
0.707
1.207

14

Appendix D Metadata
Table D-1: Metal Properties of Lead and Tin
Specific Heat Capacity [kJ/kg-K]
Metal

Liquid Phase

Solid Phase

Tin
Lead

0.24
0.14

0.21
0.13

Avg

0.19

0.17

Table D-2: Given values for time constant curve

m [kg]
[C]
[C]

Calvin College Engineering

Liquid Phase

Solid Phase

0.08
21
348.576

0.08
21
180.92

15