Temperature Sensors - RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
PPG501JA Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 500OHM 0.06% RADIAL	1061
PPG101A6 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 100OHM 0.06% RADIAL	52
USW3483 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.06% PROBE	0
PPG102A5 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.06% RADIAL	0
PPG102A6 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.06% RADIAL	757
PPG102JB Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.12% RADIAL	2390200
PPG101JB Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 100OHM .12% RADIAL	2567
PPG101JA Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 100OHM .06% RADIAL	445
PPG102JA Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.06% RADIAL	396
USW2295 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 100OHM 0.24% RING LUG	96
USW4461 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 100 OHM 0.06% RING LUG	0
USW3866 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.12% RING LUG	0
USW4456 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 1K OHM 0.06% NPT PROBE	0
USW4457 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 100 OHM 0.06% NPT PROBE	0
USW4462 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 1K OHM 0.06% RING LUG	0
USW4458 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 1K OHM 0.06% NPT PROBE	0
USW4463 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 100 OHM 0.06% PLASTIC PROBE	0
USW4465 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 100 OHM 0.06% FLANGED PROBE	0
USW4455 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 100 OHM 0.06% NPT PROBE	0
USW4466 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 1K OHM 0.06% FLANGED PROBE	0

Temperature Sensors - RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)

1. Overview

Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) are temperature sensors that operate based on the principle of electrical resistance variation in metals with temperature changes. Platinum is the most commonly used material due to its stability and linear resistance-temperature relationship. RTDs provide precise and repeatable temperature measurements, making them critical in industrial process control, scientific research, and quality assurance systems.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Platinum RTD (Pt100/Pt1000)	High accuracy ( 0.1 C), wide temperature range (-200 C to 850 C)	Industrial process control, HVAC systems
Copper RTD	Lower cost, limited range (-50 C to 150 C)	Motors temperature monitoring
Nickel RTD	High sensitivity but non-linear output	Aerospace applications
Thin-Film RTD	Compact size, fast response time	Medical devices, semiconductor manufacturing
Wire-Wound RTD	High vibration resistance, mechanical durability	Power generation plants

3. Structure and Components

Typical RTD construction includes:

Sensing Element: Platinum/copper/nickel wire or thin-film deposit
Lead Wires: 2-wire (cost-effective), 3-wire (compensated), or 4-wire (high precision)
Insulation: Ceramic or glass encapsulation for electrical isolation
Protective Sheath: Stainless steel or Inconel for environmental protection
Connection Head: Terminal for wire connections and mounting

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Significance	Typical Values
Temperature Range	Determines operational limits	-200 C to 850 C (Pt100)
Accuracy Class	Defines measurement precision	Class A ( 0.15 C), Class B ( 0.3 C)
Response Time	Critical for dynamic temperature tracking	0.5-20 seconds
Electrical Resistance	Affects signal transmission quality	100 (Pt100), 1000 (Pt1000)
Self-Heating Error	Impact of excitation current on measurement	<0.02 C/mW

5. Application Fields

Industrial: Chemical reactors, boiler systems, turbine monitoring
Healthcare: MRI machine temperature regulation
Automotive: Battery management systems in EVs
Food Processing: Pasteurization temperature control
Energy: Nuclear reactor coolant monitoring

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Honeywell	TD Series	IP67 rating, -50 C to 250 C range
Omega Engineering	PX Series	Explosion-proof design, Class A accuracy
Yokogawa	YTA Series	HART protocol support, 4-wire configuration
ABB	MT Series	Digital signal processing, SIL2 compliance

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Temperature range requirements
Accuracy vs. cost trade-offs
Environmental factors (vibration, corrosion)
Installation constraints (space, mounting type)
Signal transmission distance (wire resistance impact)

Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Miniaturization for embedded applications
Wireless RTD sensors for IoT integration
Advanced materials (ceramic matrix composites)
AI-based self-calibration features
Increased adoption in renewable energy systems