Calculate Temperature From Resistance

Temperature from Resistance Equation:

\[ T = T_0 + \frac{R - R_0}{R_0 \times \alpha} \]

Reference Resistance (R₀):

Reference Temperature (T₀):

°C

Measured Resistance (R):

Temperature Coefficient (α):

/°C

Calculated Temperature (T):

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1. What is the Temperature from Resistance Equation?

The temperature from resistance equation calculates the temperature of a conductor based on its electrical resistance, using the known resistance at a reference temperature and the material's temperature coefficient of resistance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

\[ T = T_0 + \frac{R - R_0}{R_0 \times \alpha} \]

Where:

\( T \) — Calculated temperature (°C)
\( T_0 \) — Reference temperature (°C)
\( R \) — Measured resistance (Ω)
\( R_0 \) — Resistance at reference temperature (Ω)
\( \alpha \) — Temperature coefficient of resistance (/°C)

Explanation: The equation accounts for the linear relationship between resistance and temperature for many materials, using the temperature coefficient which describes how much the resistance changes per degree of temperature.

3. Importance of Temperature Calculation

Details: Accurate temperature estimation from resistance is crucial for temperature sensing applications, thermal management systems, and understanding material behavior under different thermal conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all values in the appropriate units. Ensure reference resistance and temperature coefficient are positive values. The temperature coefficient should be for the same temperature range as your application.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What materials is this equation valid for?
A: This linear approximation works well for many metals (like copper, aluminum) over limited temperature ranges. For wider ranges or non-linear materials, more complex equations are needed.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Accuracy depends on the linearity of the material's resistance-temperature relationship and the precision of your input values.

Q3: What are typical temperature coefficients?
A: Copper: ~0.00393/°C, Aluminum: ~0.00403/°C, Platinum: ~0.00392/°C (varies slightly by purity and alloy).

Q4: Can this be used for RTDs?
A: For platinum RTDs, a more accurate Callendar-Van Dusen equation is typically used, though this linear approximation may work for small temperature ranges.

Q5: What if my material has negative temperature coefficient?
A: Some materials (like semiconductors) have negative α values - the calculator will still work correctly with negative coefficients.