1.  Home
  2. Whitepapers
  3. Triboelectric Effects in High Precision Temperature Measurements

Triboelectric Effects in High Precision Temperature Measurements

Download Whitepaper

Triboelectric Effects in High Precision Temperature Measurements

Download Whitepaper
This tech note discusses triboelectric effects in high precision temperature measurements using the ILX LDT-5900 Series Temperature Controllers. We will demonstrate that triboelectric currents can be great enough to throw the measurement accuracy out of specification.Triboelectric currents are generated when two dissimilar materials, usually a conductor and an insulator, rub against each other and transfer electrical charges. These currents are nearly always present, but the effect is seldom great enough to cause concern. When the signals are very small however, triboelectric effects can influence measurement accuracy and stability. The LDT-5900 uses a thermistor to sense the load temperature at 10 µA or 100 µA depending on the load temperature range. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter measures the voltage drop across the thermistor, and converts that voltage to a resistance value.

Download Whitepaper Now