Fluctuating readings of LM35 temperature sensor (+- 5°C) with Arduino UNO

Question

I am trying to read a LM35 temperature sensor with Arduino UNO which I got as a gift. The issue is the fact, that my readings of sensor are, well, suspicious at least - they jump with each reading some 5 °C up or down.

I had used several posts how to wire the thing to Arduino board and for and program the reading (1, 2, 3) and produced the code posted below. The sensor reading fluctuates really a lot - it jumps by some 3 to 7 °C after each reading regardless of reading frequency (tested with reading each 0.5 s, 1.0 s or 2.5 s). (Unfortunately I do not own a multi-meter to check actual values.) To mitigate the issue I implemented an averager, but underlying problem stays. Expected values are something like 23 or 24 °C as measured by digital weather station and bimetallic thermometer respectively.

Have you met this before ? Do you have any ideas what might be source of this ? I am beginner to electronics as well as to Arduino, trying to learn and mainly understand it.

The complete code:

#include <WString.h>

//Stores read analog values 
int readLM35;
const int sensorAnalogPin = 0;
const float voltsToTemperature = 1.1 / 1023 * 100; // (1.1V supply / 10bit resolution) * (10 mV/°C = 1 V / 100 °C)
//Stores the temperature in °C
float temp;
//Averager
float temps[8];
byte position = 0;
float averageTemp;

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(9600);
    pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);

    //For setting internal analog reference voltage to 1.1V
    analogReference(INTERNAL);
}

void loop() {
    digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);

    //Measure temperature
    readLM35 = analogRead(sensorAnalogPin);
    temp = readLM35  * voltsToTemperature;

    //Save it
    temps[position] = temp;
    if (position == 7) {
        position = 0;
    } else {
        position++;
    }

    //Get average
    averageTemp = 0;
    for (byte i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
        averageTemp += temps[i] / 8;
    }

    //Write
    Serial.println(String(readLM35) + " => " + String(temp, 1) + " deg. C, avg. " + String(averageTemp, 1));
    delay(2500);
}

Example of output (note the first numbers - actual reading):

211 => 22.7 deg. C, avg. 22.5
186 => 20.0 deg. C, avg. 21.9
234 => 25.2 deg. C, avg. 22.7
173 => 18.6 deg. C, avg. 21.9
237 => 25.5 deg. C, avg. 22.6
185 => 19.9 deg. C, avg. 21.9
231 => 24.8 deg. C, avg. 22.4
193 => 20.8 deg. C, avg. 22.2
223 => 24.0 deg. C, avg. 22.3
206 => 22.2 deg. C, avg. 22.6
197 => 21.2 deg. C, avg. 22.1
225 => 24.2 deg. C, avg. 22.8
183 => 19.7 deg. C, avg. 22.1
240 => 25.8 deg. C, avg. 22.8

Answer 1

The cause is the low sinking capabilities of LM35 output. This makes the output sensitive to EMI. Yes, the output output impedance is stated as 0.5 ohms but only for sourcing current. The sinking current is limited to 1uA which is easily achieved by the environment noise.

You need to add a low impedance load between LM35 output and ground, can be 200 ohm as the data sheet recommends for heavy capacitive loads but I wouldn't go that far, might be 1k or 2k to avoid self heating errors.

No software only solution can solve this error.

Answer 2

Try :-

const int temperaturePin = A0;

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:

        Serial.begin(9600);
    }


double getVoltage(int pin)
{

  return (analogRead(pin) * 0.004882814);

    }

void loop() {

      double degree,voltage;
      degree = analogRead(temperaturePin)*0.48875855;
      voltage = getVoltage(temperaturePin);
      Serial.print(voltage);
      Serial.print(degree);
      delay(1000);

    }

Answer 3

I guess when 0 = 0 and 5V = 1023, then you should divide by 1023. Looking at the question, I notice that you use AnalogPin = 0. Myself, I would stick to AnalogPin = A0. A0 is defined as:

define PIN_A0 (14)

so it is not equivalent to 0. Are you sure you're reading the right pin? Also try another pin like A3.

Answer 4

this is a known issue for all Arduino sensors (fluctuations and drift), I also had this problem with humidity sensor and water level sensor with LM393 comparator, what I tried to do to make the fluctuations less was trying to calculate average readings instead of single reading:

for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++) 
{
levelSensorValue = levelSensorValue + analogRead(levelSensorPin);
moistureSensorValue = moistureSensorValue + analogRead(moistureSensorPin);
}
levelSensorValue = levelSensorValue / 100;
moistureSensorValue = moistureSensorValue / 100;

generally speaking, all sensors have a linear range witch cannot be reliable beyond it, and also calibration for them is necessary.

Answer 5

Why have you done 1.1/1023. Your saying that the supply is 1.1v but your supplying it 5v. I use (readLM35/1024)*500 to get temperature value in °C and it is on par with a thermometer I have bought. If this doesn't work try with another lm35. You might just have a faulty one.

Also the LM35 is factory calibrated for voltage. So you have to calibrate it according to the Arduino you use. I would recommend the ds18b20 as it's calibrated for temperature. Using the Dallas temperature library makes it easier to use as well

Answer 6

many answers, stick to the code or the LM35 itself rather than the main part, the ADC. when you are reading a [approximately] right temperature, well, then the code, vRef and pin config is right. I had problem with ADCs as I had to measure many voice signals for my thesis. here are some problems which may occur :

• double check if the board itself, has proper AVCC/AREF decoupling caps. many clone boards doesn't pay attention to production failures. decoupling caps usually connect between ground (GND) and a positive supply line(like VCC) to filter out noise.
• if you have access to the AVCC/AREF pin, connect 2 or 3 paralleled 100nf caps between them and ground. the values are not critical. anything in the 10nF up to 10uF range is fine. you can use different values for each cap.
• check your input power supply noise. computer USB port is the most trusted power supply. other power supplies (wall adapters, cheap power banks etc.) have some unimaginable noise.
• use caps (decoupling caps. the caps which are connected between + and - pins) on every single component or sensor. like LCDs, LM35 sensor... .
• try to use the exact code and sensor on other analog pins and if you got any, another Arduino. if the problem insists, then you can check for another LM35, or the code like the others said. but if the problem didn't exist, then the board has a problem. any faulty component in supply line can cause this. from regulators to a bad joint or PCB via.

Answer 7

If issue with readings persist, put an RC circuit for measuring the voltage as it is similar to averaging done in software. Another thing that you can try is replacing the LM35 with a new one as sometimes it could be faulty or you might have damaged it(has happened with me). However u can easily check this by measuring the voltage at the sensing pin whether it corresponds to what you are getting. If you are working with electronics please invest in a multi-meter as it will help you in all your projects