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--- tempcontroller:sensor [2010/03/03 21:51]
ladyada
+++ tempcontroller:sensor [2016/01/28 18:05] (current)
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 {{:tempcontroller:500px-accuracy_and_precision.svg.png|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accuracy_and_precision}}
 (From the very nice [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accuracy_and_precision|Wikipedia article on accuracy and precision]]
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 You may be able to calibrate sensors, if they are inaccurate, but it depends on whether the inaccuracy is consistant over the range ('its always 1°C too high') which makes it easy. Or if the inaccuracy varies ('its sometimes 1°C too high and sometimes 1°C too low'). Of course, if you have a digital lookup table and a precise but inaccurate sensor you are good to go - just tabulate each entry you want with the actual reading
+====== Different sensors to choose from! ======
+Here are the most common sensors we'll look at
+===== Thermocouples =====
+[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermocouple|Thermocouples]] are extraordinarily common for use as temperature measuring devices. They have a lot of 'pros' to them - including huge range (more than 1000°C!) and interchangability (all K types are the same and can be swapped out). They're common and cheap and if you don't care too much about accuracy they're fine. If you need to measure hot things, they're your only choice!
+In particular here I'll refer to K type. J type is also common and T is more accurate but the off-the-shelf chips are for K (and J) and so that's what hobbyists like
+==== Accuracy & Precision ====
+K type thermocouples have accuracy of 2.2°C (±1.1°C) or 0.75% (whichever is higher) and precision of about 0.5°C (±0.2°C)
+Because the voltages across the wires are so small (in the uV range!) the precision probably has more to do with your amplifier and any hash (noise) pickup than with the thermocouple itself.
+> I find it confusing that products like the [[http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/splashproof_thermapen.html|Thermapen]] have 0.1°F precision displays when the product accuracy & precision is almost certainly much lower (that is, less precise). If anyone understands this, would appreciate an explanation.
+==== Range ====
+K thermocouples can be used from -350°C to 1350°C - a huge range which is basically the big plus. J type can go up to 750°C
+==== Amplifiers & Interfaces ====
+The [[http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/3149|MAX6675]] has a resolution of 0.25°C.
+However, the error (inaccuracy?) is about +-8 LSB. 2*8*0.25°C = 4°C (±2°C) that should be added on TOP of the ±1.1°C / 0.75% sensor probe inaccuracy
+==== Pricing ====
+Thermocouples themselves can be had for cheap - we've seen K-type for $3/each. They're also incredibly common, available anywhere you can get a multimeter (multimeters often have them as probes)
+The expensive part is the amplifier - unless you're going to build your own (which is hard, you need extremely low bias and low offset input amplifiers) the chips will cost you about $13

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