Question

Thermopile is a:
1. series connection of thermistors
2. series connection of RTDs
3. parallel connection of thermocouples
4. series connection of thermocouples

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : series connection of thermocouples

Thermopile:

• A thermopile is an electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy.
• It is an array of several thermocouples connected in series.
• A thermopile with N thermocouples will output a voltage N times bigger than the one produced by a single thermocouple, increasing the sensitivity of the transducer.
• With enough elements in the thermopile, a useful voltage can be generated in order to control another process. This type of transducer is often used to measure heat flux.
• Thermopiles do not respond to absolute temperature, but generate an output voltage proportional to a temperature difference or temperature gradient.

 

Thermocouple:

• It is an electrical device containing junctions of two dissimilar metal joints. It is used as temperature sensors.
• It works on the principle of the Seebeck effect which states that the temperature difference between two dissimilar electric conductors produces a voltage difference between them. This potential difference is used to measure temperatures.