Temperature Sensors - RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector)

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	USW4454 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 1K OHM 0.06% PROBE	0
	USW4460 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 1K OHM 0.06% PROBE	0
	USW4453 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 100 OHM 0.06% PROBE	0
	USW4451 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 100 OHM 0.06% PROBE	0
	USW2883 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 500OHM 0.12% PROBE	0
	USW4464 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 1K OHM 0.06% PLASTIC PROBE	0
	USW4459 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 100 OHM 0.06% PROBE	0
	USW4452 Wickmann / Littelfuse	RTD 1K OHM 0.06% PROBE	0
	PPG102B2 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.12% 2SIP	0
	PPG501B1 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 500OHM 0.12% RADIAL	0
	PPG101HB Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 100 OHM CLASS B	0
	PPG501HA Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 500 OHM CLASS A	0
	PPG101A1 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 100OHM 0.06% RADIAL	0
	PPG102B1 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.12% RADIAL	0
	PPG501A1 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 500OHM 0.06% RADIAL	0
	PPG102C2 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.24% 2SIP	0
	PPG102HB Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1K OHM CLASS B	0
	PPG102HA Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1 KOHM CLASS A	0
	USW2299 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM RING LUG	0
	PPG102A1 Wickmann / Littelfuse	SENSOR RTD 1KOHM 0.06% RADIAL	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