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

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

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

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

1. Temperature range requirements
2. Accuracy vs. cost trade-offs
3. Environmental factors (vibration, corrosion)
4. Installation constraints (space, mounting type)
5. 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