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Temperature stability is often a vital consideration in various industrial as well as scientific processes. That is why resistance temperature sensors are so important, and, in particular, Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) sensors are preferred for their high accuracy and reliability. The knowledge of how RTD sensors work and their uses can assist one in choosing their application in various systems. This blog is about understanding what are RTD sensors, how they work, their components, advantages, how they are different from Thermocouples and their applications

What are RTD Sensors and How Do They Work?

An RTD sensor is a resistance temperature sensor that works by comparing the resistance of the RTD to the temperature. Fabricated from pure metals such as platinum, copper or Nickel, but mainly platinum is preferred widely because of the temperature range and excellent accuracy. The temperature changes are detected proportionally by the change in the resistance of the RTD sensor. This resistance can be noted and then converted to the temperature to give reliable and stable readings.

Components of RTD Sensors

RTD sensors are composed of several critical components:

1. RTD Element: The primary part created by any pure metal or material.
2. Lead Wires: They join the RTD element with the monitoring device.
3. Sheath: It shields the RTD element and the lead wires from environmental factors.
4. Insulation: Prevent short-circuit of the lead wires.

Platinum has the highest accuracy and stability and is therefore the most widely used in the RTD element throughout the temperature range.

Benefits of RTD Sensors

The RTD sensors are commonly used in numerous fields attributing to the following benefits. Here is a list of some major advantages that they offer:Here is a list of some major advantages that they offer:

High Accuracy: RTD sensors are good at giving accurate temperature measurement. This is useful for those application that need the greatest accuracy.

Stability: They are stable, and accurate and provide reliable values which are essential in long-term tracking.

Repeatability: There is increased reliability since the RTD sensors can provide the same temperature readings when placed in similar conditions.

Long Service Life: RTD sensors are the most advanced sensors due to their rather massive construction and a longer lifespan compared to the other sensors.

These sensors are suitable for the applications that demand high accuracy and reliability like the applications in the pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and power-related industry.

Comparing RTD Sensors with Thermocouples

Comparing RTD sensors with the most common type of resistance temperature sensors, namely thermocouples, is essential when choosing between them. Each has its own specific benefits and that is why they are used in different tasks.

1. Accuracy and Stability: RTD sensors are highly accurate and provide consistent and more reliable data as compared to thermocouples which may drift and become inaccurate in the long run.
2. Response Time: One major difference between thermocouples and RTDs is that the thermocouples usually respond faster than RTDs, this is beneficial for processes with temperature fluctuations.
3. Temperature Range: Thermocouples are better suited for high temperatures; their range is from -200 to 2000°C, while for RTDs it ranges from -200 to 600°C.
4. Sensitivity: Thermocouples have better response to temperature fluctuations and speeds of response are also better than RTDs.
5. Linear Response: RTDs offer the relationship between resistance and temperature with excellent linearity for better calibrations and it is used in highly accurate processes.

Thermocouples might be used in cases where the higher temperature ranges and the faster response time is desired, while RTD sensors have high accuracy, stability, and linearity.

Applications of RTD Sensors

RTD sensors are utilised in a wide range of industries due to their versatility and reliability:

1. Industrial Processes: Applied in the management of temperatures in processes and productions.
2. Pharmaceutical Industry: Guarantees that the manufactured and stocked medication are well protected and at the right temperatures as recommended.
3. Power Generation:  Helps keep the temperatures of power plants in check for effective and safe usage.
4. Petrochemical Industry: Beneficial in managing temperature in processes needed in refining.

All of these applications require accurate and precise measurement and control of temperatures as a critical factor to product quality, safety, and processes’ efficiency.

Conclusion

RTD sensors are ideal for use in all operations that involve temperature in several industries. They are more suitable than other resistance temperature sensors in most applications because they are highly accurate, stable and highly repeatable. In general, for high accuracy and stable application, the RTD sensors are an ideal choice.

Tempsens Instruments is one of the reputed suppliers of Thermal and Cable Products having its manufacturing units in India, Germany and Indonesia. They supply the most superior RTD sensors for varying field and production uses. Their range of RTD sensors can upgrade the industrial processes with efficiency. Accuracy should not be compromised—Tempsens is a right choice for the temperature sensors!