Process control, instrumentation, and automation applications depend on RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors) for various temperature sensing purposes.
Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) use resistance to determine temperature. RTD sensors in this area are typically made of platinum 100 resistance elements (PT100) and have a resistance temperature curve (alpha or) of.00385/°C (3.851 x 10-3°C-1), although different resistance elements are widely accessible. The resistance of 100 at 0°C is what gives PT100s their name.
Applications for RTDs are typical in industrial settings such as power plants, refineries, paper mills, food processing plants, and steel mills to monitor the temperatures of process fluids, gases, or equipment surfaces. They have also been used in industrial ovens and furnaces to control the temperature inside them.
RTDs are exceptionally accurate and repeatable at temperatures up to 500°C (900°F). Although RTDs with higher temperature ratings are accessible, their advantages over a thermocouple begin to fade at that point.
RTDs do not necessitate the use of a properly adjusted lead wire. Three wire structures are most common in industrial applications. Choose four wire structures for the highest accuracy to avoid errors caused by lead wire resistance.
