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RTD: Principles and Applications

An RTD is a temperature sensor that uses the principle that a metal's resistance changes with temperature. An RTD element, usually made of platinum, nickel, or copper, is placed in the area to be measured and its resistance is correlated to temperature. RTDs are commonly used for temperature measurement in applications like HVAC, food processing, manufacturing, and more due to their accuracy, stability, and standardization over a wide range. They have advantages like linearity and wide operating range but also disadvantages like lower sensitivity and higher cost compared to thermocouples.

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16 views2 pages

RTD: Principles and Applications

An RTD is a temperature sensor that uses the principle that a metal's resistance changes with temperature. An RTD element, usually made of platinum, nickel, or copper, is placed in the area to be measured and its resistance is correlated to temperature. RTDs are commonly used for temperature measurement in applications like HVAC, food processing, manufacturing, and more due to their accuracy, stability, and standardization over a wide range. They have advantages like linearity and wide operating range but also disadvantages like lower sensitivity and higher cost compared to thermocouples.

Uploaded by

azibanjum
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

What is an RTD?

RTD stands for Resistance Temperature Detector. RTDs are sometimes referred to generally as resistance
thermometers. An RTD is a temperature sensor which measures temperature using the principle that the
resistance of a metal changes with temperature. In practice, an electrical current is transmitted through a piece of
metal (the RTD element or resistor) located in proximity to the area where temperature is to be measured. The
resistance value of the RTD element is then measured by an instrument. This resistance value is then correlated
to temperature based upon the known resistance characteristics of the RTD element.

Applications of Resistance Temperature Detectors:


 Air conditioning and refrigeration servicing
 Food Processing
 Stoves and grills
 Textile production
 Plastics processing
 Petrochemical processing
 Micro electronics
 Air, gas and liquid temperature measurement
 Exhaust gas temperature measurement

When to use Resistance Temperature Detectors


RTD's should be used when:

 When accuracy and stability are a requirement of the customer’s specification


 When accuracy must extend over a wide temperature range
 When area, rather than point sensing improves control
 When a high degree of standardisation is desirable

RTD Materials of construction:


Different materials used in the construction of RTDs offer a different
relationship between resistance and temperature. Temperature sensitive materials
used in the construction of RTDs include platinum, nickel, and copper; platinum
being the most commonly used. Important characteristics of an RTD include the
temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), the nominal resistance at 0 degrees
Celsius, and the tolerance classes.

Advantages of Resistance Temperature


Detectors
The advantages of using RTD's include:
 Linear over wide operating range
 Wide temperature operating range
 High temperature operating range
 Interchangeability over wide range
 Good stability at high temperature

Disadvantages of Resistance
Temperature Detectors:
The disadvantages of using RTD's include:

 Low sensitivity
 Higher cost than thermocouples
 No point sensing
 Affected by shock and vibration
 Requires three or four-wire operation

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