BULLETIN TS-102(N)

TEMPERATURE SENSORS & INSTRUMENTS

Sections included in this file are indicated below:

A Introduction B Temperature Sensor & Transmitter Assemblies C RTD & Thermocouple Probes D Accessories E Temperature Instruments F Sanitary Sensors G Miniature Bearing Detectors H Stator Winding Detectors I HVAC/R Sensors J Thermal-Ribbons K Ceramic Elements L Precision Reference Thermometers

About Minco

Minco: Your Source For Sensors

Minco has designed and manufactured RTDs for more than 45 years. We have the capabilities and experience to put together a proven sensing solution, at a cost-effective price, for your application.

Custom design
Stock solutions arent always the best solutions. Minco has designed over 7000 custom sensors, each with unique features for better performance at a lower price. Let our engineers suggest innovative ideas to tailor a sensor to your application.

Extensive stock for urgent needs

When you need it right now, this is the right place. Minco stocks more than 250 different types of sensors. Cut-to-length probes are one example. We can take a probe from the shelf, trim it to the proper size, add fittings, connection head, transmitter, and thermowell, and ship it to you overnight. Look for this symbol:

The right sensor

No sensor manufacturer offers more styles and variations. From miniature detectors to 50 foot averaging thermometers, from flexible Thermal-Ribbons to heavy duty probe assemblies, our selection lets you choose the best model for your needs. We can supply platinum, nickel, nickel-iron, and copper RTDs with curves to match any instrumenttation. And Minco also offers thermocouples and thermistors mechanically interchangeable with RTD models to help you standardize installations.

Quality above all

Minco sensors have proven their reliability in the most critical arenas. The Space Shuttle uses our RTDs. So do nuclear plant safety systems, rocket motors, power generators, missiles, and calibration labs. Quality comes first at Minco. Documented and audited procedures, continuous quality improvement goals, and employee involvement programs set a high standard throughout the company.

IN STOCK

Single source manufacturing

Minco builds sensors from start to finish. We manufacture our own sensing elements, machine our own cases and fittings, and assemble finished parts. That gives us complete control over product quality, plus flexibility in adapting designs to customer requirements.

Credit cards
Minco accepts MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Contents
Application ideas ............................A-45 Custom design ...............................A-67 Selection guide...............................A-89 Sensor comparison..........................A-10 RTD elements and tolerance .......... A-11 Thermocouple limits of error............A-11 Industry specifications, TCR ............A-12 2-wire, 3-wire, 4-wire circuits............A-13 Resistance, millivolt tables .........A-1415 Map...................................................A-16
Introduction

Introduction

RTD and Thermocouple Temperature Sensor & B Transmitter Probes Assemblies C

Accessories

Temperature Instruments

Sanitary Sensors

Miniature Bearing Detectors

Stator Winding Detectors

HVAC\R Sensors

Thermal-Ribbons

Ceramic Elements

Precision Reference Thermometers

Related literature: L-7

Product and subject indexes: Inside rear cover

Reference PRTs

Elements

ThermalRibbons

HVAC Sensors

Stator Detectors

Bearing Detectors

Sanitary Sensors

Instruments

Accessories

Probes

Assemblies

Typical Applications
Industrial/Commercial Machinery

Restaurant fryer
A fast response RTD monitors oil temperature for perfect cooking results.

Medical freezer
RTDs monitor temperatures as low as -120C in freezers used to store tissues and organs. Close control and sensor reliability are essential.

Humidity calibration
A wet bulb/dry bulb humidity standard contains two gold-plated precision platinum thermometers.

Aerospace/Defense

Inertial guidance system

This flexible Thermal-Ribbon helps to control gyro temperatures in inertial guidance systems.

Hydraulic systems
Installed in hydraulic lines, this RTD monitors oil temperatures to prevent overheating.

Military vehicles
This RTD contains an integral Wheatstone bridge. It monitors engine temperatures for computerized diagnostics.

Mod-Tronic Instruments Limited Tel: 1 800 794-5883 Fax: 1 800www.minco.com 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com Page A-4 Minco Sales: 1-763-571-3121 Fax: 1-763-571-0927 Web: Bulletin TS-102

Process Control and Energy Management

Centrifugal compressor
This assembly includes an RTD probe, thermowell, and 2-wire Temptran transmitter. It monitors the air outlet stream.

Room air sensing

Mincos sensor/transmitter is specially designed to reduce self-heating effects for accurate readings.

Pipe surface measurement

A flexible Thermal-Ribbon, taped to a pipe surface, eliminates the need for thermowell installation.

Motor/Machinery Protection

Bearings
Miniature detectors fit beneath the babbitt surface of bearing shoes to provide early warning of failure.

Stator windings
Flat stick RTDs track winding temperatures to prevent motor burnout.

Temperature alarm
Mincos programmable monitor tracks up to eight sensing points and automatically activates relays and an audible alarm.

Bulletin TS-102Instruments Stock Order Desk: 1-763-571-3123 Fax: 1-763-571-9142 www.minco.com Page A-5 Mod-Tronic Limited Tel: 1 800 794-5883 Fax: 1 800Web: 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com

Introduction

Custom Design

Custom Design For Better Performance

This bulletin contains a wide array of sensor styles to fit most applications. But if you have special requirementsor will purchase sensors in quantity for an OEM designa custom sensor can improve accuracy and reduce cost at the same time. And no one offers more custom design possibilities than Minco. Select from a variety of materials: Stainless steel in various grades Brass Copper and beryllium copper Monel Hastelloy Titanium Rubber, PTFE, plastics We can plate with nickel, gold, and other metals. Additional services include electropolishing, passivating, and pressure testing.

Lamination
Mincos winding and lamination technology enables manufacture of flat, flexible sensors in any size or shape. The custom Thermal-Ribbon below has a wire element to average temperatures over its entire area.

Elements to match any curve

We can supply sensors to work with nearly any type of instrument input: Platinum RTDs with TCRs from 0.00375 to 0.003927 Nickel, copper, and nickel-iron RTD elements Non-standard curves Base resistances up to thousands of ohms Thermistors or thermocouples Linearizing transmitters with 4 to 20 mA, 1 to 5 VDC, or other voltage/current outputs

Leadwires
RTDs, thermocouples, and thermistors may be furnished with many different types of leadwire and cables to meet application parameters: PTFE, silicone rubber, polyimide, mica/glass, and glass braid insulation Stainless steel overbraid or flexible armor UL recognized wire Integral feedthroughs Connectors assembled to probes or leadwires Flat ribbon leads or sensor/flex-circuit hybrids

Machining and materials

A sensors case construction determines its thermal response and resistance to corrosive media. Minco has an advanced machine shop with CAD/CAM capability for economic production of cases and fittings. Page A-6 Mod-Tronic

Minco Sales: 1-763-571-3121 Fax: 794-5883 1-763-571-0927 www.minco.com Bulletin TS-102 Instruments Limited Tel: 1 800 Fax:Web: 1 800 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com

Minco has complete in-house testing and metrology equipment to meet stringent quality requirements: NIST traceable calibrations Hydrostatic testing of thermowells Helium leak testing for nuclear requirements Automated resistance measurement Humidity testing

Heres a simple idea to improve accuracy with little additional cost. Suppose you want RTDs interchangeable within 0.5C at a critical control point of 200C. The interchangeability for a typical RTD (IEC 751, Class B) is 0.3C at 0C, 1.3C at 200C. The tolerance band looks like this:
+2 +1 0C -1 -2 -100 0C 100 200 300

Designing for accuracy

How accurate is a temperature sensor? To many, the answer to this question is the sensors interchangeability specification. For example, 100 W platinum RTDs are typically interchangeable within 0.1 W or 0.3C at 0C. But interchangeability only tells how closely the electrical characteristics of a sensor conform to its published tables. What you really want to know is how much the temperature seen at your readout or controller deviates from the actual temperature of the material you are sensing. Interchangeability is only one of the potential sources of error in the system, and it is usually not the largest. Following are some other error modes along with suggested solutions. Repeatability/stability: Repeatability tells how well the sensor repeats subsequent readings at the same temperature. Stability is the absence of long term drift. In many cases, the user is less concerned with absolute accuracy than with the ability of a sensor to maintain a process at the same point once properly set. Solution: Platinum RTDs are the most stable sensor in common use and are used to interpolate over the standard temperature scale from -260 to 962C. Ordinary industrial models will drift less than 0.1C per year in normal use.

Step temp. change

Critical point calibration

63%

Time Time constant

Conduction errors: Heat conducted into sensors from ambient air alters the temperature of the sensing tip. Solution: Use smaller sensors or tip-sensitive probes, and be sure they are sufficiently immersed or embedded in the sensed medium. Point sensing errors: In places where temperatures are stratified or gradients are large, the temperature at a single point may be unrepresentative or misleading. Solution: Use temperature averaging probes or Thermal-Ribbons. Leadwire resistance: Resistance in the leads between RTDs and control points elevates apparent readings. Solutions: Specify sensors with higher resistances. Use 3 or 4-wire compensating circuits (see page A-13). Eliminate leadwire effects with a 4 to 20 mA transmitter (Section E). Self-heating: The measuring current through an RTD can raise its temperature above the true value. Solution: As a general rule, limit current to 5 mA for industrial applications. Most Minco RTDs, and especially Thermal-Ribbons, have a large surface area to dissipate heat and reduce self-heating effects.

You could specify a tighter overall calibration in order to get the desired tolerance at 200C. But that would increase sensor cost. Instead, Minco can calibrate the sensor to have its narrowest tolerance at the critical temperature:
+2 +1 0C -1 -2 -100 0C 100 300

200

You now have a sensor with 0.3C tolerance at 200C. And the cost is no more than a standard sensor in volume.

Sensor/instrument systems
Minco manufactures transmitters, readouts, controllers, and alarms in addition to sensors. Ordering sensors and instruments in sets offers many benefits: Transmitters can be calibrated to individual sensors rather than

Bulletin TS-102Instruments Stock Order Desk: 1-763-571-3123 Fax: 1-763-571-9142 www.minco.com Page A-7 Mod-Tronic Limited Tel: 1 800 794-5883 Fax: 1 800Web: 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com

Introduction

Testing

nominal curves. That way, overall accuracy is not dependent on sensor tolerance. There are no worries about sensor and instrument compatibility. Entire systems can be custom designed with the best feature/price package for the intended application. You can combine Thermofoil heaters with sensors and controllers for ready-to-use thermal systems.

Time lag: When temperatures change rapidly, sensors may not keep up. Solution: Minco specializes in fast response RTDs. Most models in this catalog have a time constant of 2 seconds or less. Certain custom designed models are faster yet. Time constant is defined as the time it takes a sensor to reflect 63% of a step temperature change:

Sensor Selection Guide

RTD Element
Platinum Copper Nickel

Thermocouple Junction

Sensor Type

Description

Nickel-Iron

Temperature Range*

Assemblies

Probes supplied complete with fittings, connection heads, thermowells, and optional transmitters Industrial probe type sensors: tip-sensitive, fast response, and high temperature models 3-A certified for clean-in-place installations

-269 to 550C -452 to 1022F -269 to 850C -452 to 1562F -100 to 200C -148 to 392F

Probes

Sanitary RTDs

Bearing Detectors & Miniature RTDs

Miniature encased sensing elements

-184 to 260C -300 to 500F

Stator Winding Detectors

Flat, laminated stick sensors

180C (356F) max.

HVAC Thermometers Sensors and transmitters designed for HVAC systems

-45.5 to 135C -50 to 275F

Thermal-Ribbons

Flat, flexible sensors for surface mounting

-200 to 200C -328 to 428F

Ceramic Elements

Wire-wound and thin-film elements -200 to 850C -328 to 1582F

Precision Laboratory Reference grade platinum Thermometers thermometers

-260 to 660C -436 to 1220F

* Temperature range of individual models may vary.

Page A-8 Mod-Tronic

Minco Sales: 1-763-571-3121 Fax: 794-5883 1-763-571-0927 www.minco.com Bulletin TS-102 Instruments Limited Tel: 1 800 Fax:Web: 1 800 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com

Thermistors

Typical Applications

See Section

Process control Oil baths

Bearings

Air Streams

B
Stacks Fryers and griddles Truck/vehicle engines Bearings Plastics processing Incubators

General purpose sensing Commercial ovens Scientific instruments

Food, dairy, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological processing equipment

F
Babbitted bearings Circuit boards General purpose sensing Gas flow meters

G
Level sensing systems

Motor and generator stator windings Transformer coils

H
Freezers Medical refrigeration Exhaust fan control

Energy Monitoring and Control Systems (EMCS) Low cost industrial sensors Averaging sensors for storage tanks

Aerospace instruments Medical devices Motor windings Aircraft windshields Thermal processing equipment Pipe temperature Thermocouple cold junction compensation Environmental chambers Assembly into probes Nuclear applications High temperature sensing Air flow sensing Miniature probes

K
Avionics

Laboratory references Test stands

Cryogenic sensing Sensor calibration

Bulletin TS-102 Mod-Tronic

Stock Order Desk: 1-763-571-3123 Fax: 1-763-571-9142 Web: www.minco.com Page A-9 Instruments Limited Tel: 1 800 794-5883 Fax: 1 800 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com

Introduction

RTD, Thermocouple, or Thermistor?

Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs)
An RTD sensing element consists of a wire coil or deposited film of pure metal. The elements resistance increases with temperature in a known and repeatable manner. RTDs exhibit excellent accuracy over a wide temperature range and represent the fastest growing segment among industrial temperature sensors. Their advantages include: Temperature range: Models in this bulletin cover temperatures from -260 to 850C (-436 to 1582F). Repeatability and stability: The platinum resistance thermometer is the primary interpolation instrument used by the National Institute of Standards and Technology from -260 to 962C. Minco offers laboratory models stable within 0.0025C per year. Even ordinary industrial RTDs typically drift less than 0.1C/year. Sensitivity: The voltage drop across an RTD provides a much larger output than a thermocouple. Linearity: Platinum and copper RTDs produce a more linear response than thermocouples or thermistors. RTD non-linearities can be corrected through proper design of resistive bridge networks. Low system cost: RTDs use ordinary copper extension leads and require no cold junction compensation. Standardization: Manufacturers offer RTDs to industry standard curves, most commonly 100 W platinum to IEC 751 (Minco element code PD or PE).
Sensor type RTD Thermocouple Thermistor Temperature range -260 to 850C -270 to 1800C -80 to 150C (typical)

Thermocouples
A thermocouple consists of two wires of dissimilar metals welded together into a junction. At the other end of the signal wires, usually as part of the input instrument, is another junction called the reference junction. Heating the sensing junction generates a thermoelectric potential (emf) proportional to the temperature difference between the two junctions. This millivolt-level emf, when compensated for the known temperature of the reference junction, indicates the temperature at the sensing tip. Published millivolt tables assume the reference junction is at 0C. Thermocouples are simple and familiar. Designing them into systems, however, is complicated by the need for special extension wires and reference junction compensation. Thermocouple advantages include: Extremely high temperature capability: Thermocouples with precious metal junctions may be rated as high as 1800C (3272F). Ruggedness: The inherent simplicity of thermocouples makes them resistant to shock and vibration. Small size/fast response: A fine-wire thermocouple junction takes up little space and has low mass, making it suitable for point sensing and fast response. Note, however, that many Minco RTDs have time constants faster than equivalent thermocouples.

Thermistors
A thermistor is a resistive device composed of metal oxides formed into a bead and encapsulate in epoxy or glass. A typical thermistor shows a large negative temperature coefficient. Resistance drops dramatically and non-linearly with temperature. Sensitivity is many times that of RTDs but useful temperature range is limited. Some manufacturers offer thermistors with positive coefficients. Linearized models are also available. There are wide variations of performance and price between thermistors from different sources. Typical benefits are: Low sensor cost: Basic thermistors are quite inexpensive. However, models with tighter interchangeability or extended temperature ranges often cost more than RTDs. High sensitivity: A thermistor may change resistance by tens of ohms per degree temperature change, versus a fraction of an ohm for RTDs. Point sensing: A thermistor bead can be made the size of a pin head for small area sensing.

Sensor cost

System cost

Stability Best Low

Sensitivity Moderate Low Best

Linearity Best

Specify for: General purpose sensing Highest accuracy Temperature averaging

Moderate Moderate Low Low High

Moderate Highest temperatures Poor Best sensitivity Narrow ranges (e.g. medical) Point sensing

Moderate Moderate

Mod-Tronic Instruments Limited Tel: 1 800 Fax:Web: 1 800 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com Page A-10 Minco Sales: 1-763-571-3121 Fax: 794-5883 1-763-571-0927 www.minco.com Bulletin TS-102

Choosing Sensor Elements

Platinum is the most widely specified RTD element type, due to its wide temperature range, stability, and standardization between manufacturers. Copper, nickel, and nickel-iron can offer comparable accuracy at lower cost in many applications.
Element material Platinum Temperature range -260 to 850C -436 to 1562F -100 to 260C -148 to 500F -100 to 260C -148 to 500F -100 to 204C -148 to 400F Resistivity (W per circular mil foot at 20C) 63.8 Benefits Greatest range Best stability Good linearity Best linearity Low cost High sensitivity Typical base resistance 100 W 1000 W 10 W 120 W at 0C at 0C at 25C Sensitivity (Avg. W /C, 0 to 100C) 0.39 3.90 0.04 TCR W/W/C 0.00375 to 0.003927 0.00427
Introduction

RTD element types

Copper

10.7

Nickel

41.5

at 0C

0.81 3.13 4.79 9.58

0.00672

Nickel-iron

120.0

Low cost Highest sensitivity

604 W at 0C 1000 W at 70F 2000 W at 70F

0.00518 to 0.00527

RTD and thermistor interchangeability

The tables below show temperature tolerancethe allowable deviation from nominal curvesfor RTDs and thermistors in this catalog. Minco can supply sensors with tighter overall tolerance, or with the narrowest tolerance at a point other than 0C.
Platinum RTD Temperature C 0.06% at 0C 0.1% at 0C 0.22% at 0C 0.36% at 0C 0.5% at 0C 0.1% at 70F 0.24% at 70F -200 -100 0 20 100 200 260 300 400 500 600 700 800 850 0.55C 0.35C 0.15C 0.19C 0.35C 0.55C 0.67C 0.75C 0.95C 1.15C 1.35C 1.3C 0.8C 0.3C 0.4C 0.8C 1.3C 1.6C 1.8C 2.3C 2.8C 3.3C 3.8C 4.3C 4.6C 1.3C 0.5C 0.7C 1.8C 3.1C 3.7C 2.1C 1.7C 1.3C 1.6C 2.9C 4.4C 5.5C

0.9C 1.3C 2.3C 3.7C 4.6C

0.3C 0.3C 0.7C 1.3C

0.7C 0.6C 1.1C 1.8C

Temperature C -100 0 20 100 150 200 260

Copper RTD 0.2% at 25C 1.5C 0.7C 0.5C 1.5C 2.2C 2.8C 3.6C 0.5% at 25C 2.2C 1.5C 1.3C 2.5C 3.3C 4.1C 5.1C

Nickel RTD 0.3% at 0C 0.5C 0.8C 1.8C 2.5C 3.1C 3.4C 0.5% at 0C 0.8C 1.2C 2.2C 3.0C 3.7C 4.0C 0.26% at 0C 0.6C 0.8C 1.7C 2.3C 2.9C

Nickel-iron RTD 0.5% at 0C 2.5C 1.1C 1.4C 2.4C 3.1C 3.8C 0.5% at 25C 2.9C 1.4C 1.2C 2.2C 2.9C 3.6C 0.12% at 70F 0.5C 0.3C 1.1C 1.6C 2.1C 0.25% at 70F 1.4C 0.7C 2.0C 2.9C 3.8C

Thermistor 1.0% at 0C

0.2C 0.2C 0.3C 1.0C

Thermocouple limits of error per ANSI-MC96.1-1982

Junction type: Limits of error: E Chromel-constantan 1.7C or 0.5% 0 to 900C J Iron-constantan 2.2C or 0.75% 0 to 750C K Chromel-alumel 2.2C or 0.75% 0 to 1250C T Copper-constantan 1.0C or 0.75% 0 to 350C

Bulletin TS-102Instruments Stock Order Desk: 1-763-571-3123 Fax: 1-763-571-9142 www.minco.com Page A-11 Mod-Tronic Limited Tel: 1 800 794-5883 Fax: 1 800Web: 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com

Specifications for Temperature Sensors

Listed below are national and international specifications for RTDs and thermocouples.

JIS C 1604-1989
Issued by: Japanese Standards Association Date: 1989 Specifies 100 W 0.00385 platinum thermometers in accordance with IEC 751, but also makes provision for 0.003916 TCR. Minco can supply RTDs to either curve.

ANSI-MC96.1-1982
Issued by: Instrument Society of America Date: 1982 Sets general standards for thermocouples, including millivolt tables, limits of error, and color coding of wires. All Minco thermocouples conform to this specification.

IEC Publication 751

Issued by: International Electrotechnical Commission Date: 1983 IEC 751 has the widest international scope of any RTD standard. It calls for platinum RTDs, 100 W at 0C, TCR 0.00385 W/W/C, in one of two tolerance classes: Class A: 0.06% at 0C Class B: 0.12% at 0C All Minco RTDs with PD element code meet Class B. Selected models have Class A as an option.

MIL-T-24388C(SH)
Issued by: U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command Date: 1990 RTDs and thermocouples for shipboard use. Included are platinum RTDs with 0.00392 TCR and nickel models with 0.00672 TCR. See Section G for bearing embedment RTDs qualified to this specification. Minco does not currently offer probe and thermowell models to MIL-T-24388.

ITS-90
Issued by: Comit International des Poids et Mesures Date: 1990 ITS-90 is the fundamental definition of temperature itself. It specifies the temperature in Kelvins of various physical constants such as the triple point of water. ITS-90 also names the interpolating instruments to be used between the fixed points. Minco laboratory thermometers in section 12 meet ITS-90 requirements for resistance ratio and calibration, but do not have the stability required for primary standards. They are suitable, however, for use as secondary transfer standards.

DIN 43760
Issued by: Deutsches Institut fr Normung (Germany) Date: 1987 Specifies resistance curves and tolerance for nickel RTDs. Platinum curves are now covered under IEC 751.

SAMA RC21-4-1966
Issued by: Scientific Apparatus Makers Association Date: 1966 Specifies various curves for platinum, nickel, and copper RTDs. The platinum curve, available from Minco, has a resistance of 98.129 W at 0C and TCR of 0.003923. Placing a fixed resistor of 1.871 W in series with this element makes it fit the IEC 751 curve.

BS 1904:1984
Issued by: British Standards Institution Date: 1984 Identical to IEC 751.

Quality standards
Mincos quality and inspection systems meet MIL-Q-9858 and MIL-I-45208.

What is Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR)?

Temperature coefficient differentiates between resistance/temperature curves of RTDs. It is also called alpha () and may be specified in various ways by different manufacturers. In this bulletin TCR is the RTDs resistance change from 0 to 100C, divided by the resistance at 0C, divided by 100C: R100 C - R0 C TCR( W / W / C) = R0 C 100 C For example, a platinum thermometer measuring 100 W at 0C and 139.11 W at 100C has TCR 0.00391 W/W/C: Page A-12 Mod-Tronic 139.11W - 100 W = 0.003911 100 W 100 C For a copper RTD, 10 W at 25C, TCR is: 12.897 W - 9.035 W TCR = = 0.00427 9.035 W 100 C Stated another way, TCR is the average resistance increase per degree of a hypothetical RTD measuring 1 W at 0C. The most common use of TCR is to distinguish between curves for platinum, which is available with TCRs ranging from 0.00375 to 0.003927. The highest TCR indicates the highest purity platinum, and is TCR = mandated by ITS-90 for standard platinum thermometers. There are no technical advantages of one TCR versus another in practical industrial applications. 0.00385 platinum is the most popular worldwide standard and is available in both wire-wound and thin-film elements. In most cases, all you need to know about TCR is that it must be properly matched when replacing RTDs or connecting them to instruments.

Minco Sales:Limited 1-763-571-3121 Fax: 1-763-571-0927 Web: www.minco.com Bulletin TS-102 Instruments Tel: 1 800 794-5883 Fax: 1 800 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com

RTD Connections: 2-Wire, 3-Wire, 4-Wire?

Because an RTD is a resistance type sensor, resistance introduced by connecting extension wires between the RTD and control instrument will add to readings. Furthermore, this additional resistance is not constant but increases with ambient temperature. To estimate leadwire error in 2-wire circuits, multiply the total length of the extension leads times the resistance per foot in the table below. Then divide by the sensitivity of the RTD, given in the next two pages, to obtain an error figure in C. For example, assume you have connected 100 feet of AWG 22 wires to a 100 W platinum RTD (PD element). Lead resistance is: R = (200 ft .) ( 0.0165 W / ft .) = 3.3 W Approximate error is: 3.3 W E= = 8.6 C 0.385 W / C
Leadwire AWG 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 Ohms/ft. at 25C 0.0016 0.0026 0.0041 0.0065 0.0103 0.0165 0.0262 0.0418 0.0666 0.1058
L1 R1 ES R2 EO L2 R3 RT

2-wire circuit
Shown above is a 2-wire RTD connected to a typical Wheatstone bridge circuit. ES is the supply voltage; EO is the output voltage; R1, R2, and R3 are fixed resistors; and RT is the RTD. In this uncompensated circuit, lead resistances L1 and L2 add directly to RT.
L1 R1 L2 ES R2 EO L3 R3 RT

3-wire circuit
In this circuit there are three leads coming from the RTD instead of two. L1 and L3 carry the measuring current while L2 acts only as a potential lead. No current flows through it while the bridge is in balance. Since L1 and L3 are in separate arms of the bridge, resistance is canceled. This circuit assumes high impedance at EO and close matching of resistance between wires L1 and L3. Minco matches RTD leads within 5%.
L1 L2 IS EO RT

You can reduce leadwire error by: Using larger gauge extension wires. Specifying an RTD with greater sensitivity; 1000 W instead of 100 W, for example. Employing a 3 or 4-wire resistance canceling circuit as shown at right. Common leads, connected to the same end of the sensing element, are the same color. Using a 2-wire current transmitter. Its linearized signal is immune to electrical noise as well as resistance and can maintain accuracy over runs of several thousand feet. See Section E for transmitters.

L3 L4

4-wire circuit

4-wire RTD circuits not only cancel leadwires but remove the effects of mismatched resistances such as contact points. A common version is the constant current circuit shown above. IS drives a precise measuring current through L1 and L4. L2 and L3 measure the voltage drop across the RTD element. EO must have high impedance to prevent current flow in the potential leads. 4-wire circuits may be usable over longer distances than 3-wire, but you should consider using a transmitter in electrically noisy environments.
Extension leads RTD leads RT

Extension leads

RTD leads

RT

If necessary you can connect a 2-wire RTD to a 3-wire circuit or 4-wire circuit, as shown above. As long as the junctions are near the RTD, as in a connection head, errors are negligible.

Bulletin TS-102 Instruments Stock Order Desk: 1-763-571-3123 Fax: 1-763-571-9142 Web: www.minco.com Page A-13 Mod-Tronic Limited Tel: 1 800 794-5883 Fax: 1 800 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com

Introduction

Resistance/Temperature Tables
Complete tables in 1C or 1F increments are available from Minco at www.minco.com/sensorcalc.
Platinum elements Element code: PJ PA PB PD, PE PN PL Resistance at 0C: 25.5 W 100 W 100 W 100 W 200 W 470 W TCR (W/W/C) .00392 .00392 .00391 .00385 .00385 .00392 Sensitivity (Average W/C) Temperature (C) -200 -180 -160 -140 -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640 660 680 700 720 740 760 780 800 820 840 850 0.100 0.392 0.391 0.385 0.770 1.845 PH 500 W .00392 1.963 PP 500 W .00391 1.955 PG 500 W .00385 1.925 PF 1000 W .00385 3.850 PW PS 1000 W 10k W .00375 .00385 3.750 38.50

4.33 6.56 8.75 10.91 13.05 15.17 17.27 19.35 21.41 23.46 25.50 27.53 29.54 31.54 33.53 35.51 37.48 39.43 41.37 43.31 45.22 47.13 49.02 50.91 52.78 54.64 56.48 58.32 60.14 61.95 63.75 65.54 67.31 69.07 70.83 72.56 74.29 76.01 77.71 79.40 81.08 82.75 84.40 86.04 87.67 89.29

17.00 25.72 34.31 42.80 51.19 59.49 67.71 75.87 83.96 92.01 100.00 107.95 115.85 123.70 131.50 139.26 146.97 154.64 162.25 169.82 177.35 184.82 192.25 199.64 206.97 214.26 221.50 228.70 235.85 242.95 250.00 257.01 263.97 270.88 277.75 284.57 291.34 298.06 304.74 311.37 317.96 324.49 330.98 337.43 343.82 350.17

17.26 25.97 34.54 43.01 51.37 59.64 67.83 75.96 84.03 92.04 100.00 107.92 115.78 123.60 131.38 139.11 146.79 154.42 162.01 169.55 177.04 184.49 191.89 199.24 206.55 213.81 221.02 228.19 235.31 242.38 249.41 256.39 263.32 270.21 277.04 283.84 290.58 297.28 303.93 310.54 317.09 323.60 330.07 336.49 342.86 349.18

18.52 37.04 27.10 54.19 35.54 71.09 43.88 87.75 52.11 104.22 60.26 68.33 76.33 84.27 92.16 100.00 107.79 115.54 123.24 130.90 138.51 146.07 153.58 161.05 168.48 175.86 183.19 190.47 197.71 204.91 212.05 219.15 226.21 233.21 240.18 247.09 253.96 260.79 267.56 274.29 280.98 287.62 294.21 300.75 307.25 120.51 136.65 152.66 168.54 184.32 200.00 215.59 231.08 246.48 261.79 277.01 292.14 307.17 322.11 336.96 351.71 366.38 380.95 395.42 409.81 424.10 438.30 452.41 466.43 480.35 494.18 507.92 521.57 535.12 548.59 561.96 575.23 588.42 601.51 614.51

Resistance (ohms) 79.88 84.98 86.30 120.88 128.59 129.84 161.28 171.57 172.72 201.15 213.99 215.03 240.57 255.93 256.83 279.58 318.23 356.57 394.63 432.43 470.00 507.35 544.47 581.38 618.06 654.53 690.77 726.79 762.59 798.18 297.43 338.55 379.53 419.82 460.03 500.00 539.73 579.23 618.49 657.51 696.31 734.86 773.18 811.27 849.12 298.19 339.17 379.80 420.13 460.19 500.00 539.58 578.92 618.02 656.90 695.54 733.94 772.11 810.05 847.75

92.60 135.48 177.72 219.38 260.55 301.28 341.63 381.64 421.35 460. 80 500.00 538.96 577.70 616.21 654.48 692.53 730.34 767.92 805.27 842.39

185.20 270.96 355.43 438.76 521.10 602.56 683.25 763.28 842.71 921.60 1000.00 1077.94 1155.41 1232.42 1308.97 1385.06 1460.68 1535.84 1610.54 1684.78 1758.56 1831.88 1904.73 1977.12 2049.05 2120.52 2191.52 2262.06 2332.14 2401.76 2470.92 2539.62 2607.85 2674.62 2742.93

1,852 2,710 3,554 4,388 5,211 6,026 6,833 7,633 8,427 9,216 10,000 10,779 11,554 12,324 13,090 13,851 14,607 15,358 16,105 16,848 17,586 18,319 19,047 19,771 20,490 21,205 21,915 22,621 23,321 24,018 24,709 25,396 26,078 26,756 27,429

846.57 923.55 1000.00 1075.96 1151.44 1226.44 1300.96 1375.00 1448.56 1521.63 1594.22 1666.33 1737.96 1809.11 1879.78 1949.96 2019.67 2088.89 2157.63 2225.89 2293.67 2360.96 2427.78 2494.11 2559.96 2625.33 2690.22

833.54 886.74 885.22 879.28 868.68 924.12 922.46 915.94 903.59 961.27 959.46 952.36 938.29 998.18 996.22 988.56 972.77 1034.86 1032.76 1024.52 1007.03 1041.06 1074.88 1108.47 1141.85 1175.00 1207.93 1240.64 1273.14 1305.41 1337.46 1369.28 1400.89 1432.28 1463.45 1071.31 1107.51 1143.49 1179.23 1214.73 1250.00 1285.03 1319.83 1354.40 1388.73 1422.83 1456.69 1490.31 1523.70 1556.86 1069.06 1105.12 1140.95 1176.55 1211.91 1247.04 1281.94 1316.60 1351.03 1385.22 1419.18 1452.91 1486.40 1519.66 1552.68 1060.26 1095.76 1131.03 1166.07 1200.88 1235.46 1269.81 1303.92 1337.81 1371.46 1404.89 1438.08 1471.04 1503.77 1536.27

2808.78 2754.63 28,098 2876.16 28,762 2942.08 29,421 3007.54 30,075 3072.54 30,725 31,371

313.71 627.42 1494.39 1589.78 1585.47 1568.54 3137.08 320.12 640.23 1525.12 1622.47 1618.02 1600.58 3201.16 326.48 1555.62 1654.92 1650.35 332.79 1585.91 1687.14 1682.43 339.06 1615.97 1719.12 1714.29 345.28 1645.81 175 0.87 1745.91 351.46 357.59 363.67 369.71 375.70 381.65 387.55 390.48

Mod-Tronic Instruments Limited Tel: 1 800 Fax:Web: 1 800 830-7122 www.mod-tronic.com Page A-14 Minco Sales: 1-763-571-3121 Fax: 794-5883 1-763-571-0927 www.minco.com Bulletin TS-102

Copper

Nickel

Nickel-iron FC 2000 W at 70F .00527 9.576

Thermistors TA TB 2252 W 10K W at 25C at 25C

R25 R25 = 23.5 = 29.2 R125 R125

FB FA Element code: NA CA Base resistance: 10 W at 120 W at 604 W at 1000 W at 70F 0C 0C 25C TCR (W/W/C) Sensitivity (Average W/C) Temperature (C) -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 5.128 5.923 6.712 7.490 8.263 9.035 9.807 10.580 11.352 12.124 12.897 13.669 14.442 15.217 15.996 16.776 17.555 18.335 19.116 66.60 79.62 92.76 106.15 120.00 134.52 149.79 165.90 182.84 200.64 219.29 238.85 259.30 280.77 303.46 327.53 353.14 380.31 .00427 0.039 .00672 0.806 .00518 3.133 .00527 4.788

Most RTD tables follow the Callendar-Van Dusen equation or some variation thereof: R t = R 0 [1+ At + Bt 2 +Ct 3 ] where Rt is the resistance at temperature t, R0 is the ice point resistance, and A, B, and C are coefficients describing a given thermometer. Request Application Aid #18 for a complete set of equations and coefficients for numerical calculation of resistance vs temperature.

-72

-287

Resistance (ohms) 372.79 410.73 452.82 499.06 549.46 604.00 660.97 720.79 783.45 848.97 917.33 988.54 1062.60 1139.50 1219.26 1301.86 1660 K 316.5 K 75.79 K 21.87 K 7355 2814 1200 560.3 282.7 152.8 87.7 53.0 3558 K 845.9 K 239.8 K 78.91 K 29.49 K 12.26 K 5592 2760 1458 816.8 481.8 297.2

826.90 908.40 995.04 1086.49 1182.50 1282.83 1387.21 1495.42 1607.18 1722.26 1840.41 1961.38

1653.81 1816.81 1990.09 2172.99 2365.01 2565.66 2774.44 2990.84 3214.37 3444.54 3680.84 3922.77

SensorCalc program
RTD and thermocouple tables are available on-line at www.minco.com/sensorcalc. You can create and store tables in a variety of formats. You can also enter resistances and coefficients for custom tables, using Callendar-Van Dusen or ITS-90 equations.

Thermocouples
E Chromel-Constantan Junction type: + Purple Sensitivity (mV/C): Temperature (C) -200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 -8.824 -7.279 -5.237 -2.787 0.000 3.047 6.317 9.787 13.419 17.178 21.033 24.961 28.943 32.960 36.999 41.045 -7.890 -6.499 -4.632 -2.431 0.000 2.585 5.268 8.008 10.777 13.553 16.325 19.089 21.846 24.607 27.388 30.210 0.063 Red + White 0.053 Millivolts -5.891 -4.912 -3.553 -1.889 0.000 2.022 4.095 6.137 8.137 10.151 12.207 14.292 16.395 18.513 20.640 22.772 -5.603 -4.648 -3.378 -1.819 0.000 2.035 4.277 6.702 9.286 12.011 14.860 17.816 20.869 Red + Yellow 0.041 Red + Blue 0.043 Red J Iron-Constantan K Chromel-Alumel T Copper-Constantan

Bulletin TS-102

Stock Order Desk: 1-763-571-3123 Fax: 1-763-571-9142 Web: www.minco.com

Page A-15

Introduction

Resistance/temperature calculations

Page A-16

Minco Sales: 1-763-571-3121 Fax: 1-763-571-0927 Web: www.minco.com

Bulletin TS-102