RTDs spread to new applications

Recent advances in the production and miniaturisation of RTDs mean that designers can now consider them for a much wider range of applications.

Designers of products or systems which require accurate temperature measurement or temperature compensation sensors will generally consider using an NTC thermistor or platinum resistance temperature detector (RTD).

For many years, NTCs have been used in the majority of applications because their low cost outweighed their shortcomings such as limited temperature range and nonlinear output.

RTDs were only used in low volumes where the highest levels of accuracy and stability were required.

Recent advances in the production and miniaturisation of RTDs mean that designers can now consider them for a much wider range of applications.

Modern RTDs are produced on automated production lines featuring the most up to date thin film and laser trimming technologies to ensure the highest levels of sensor performance at the lowest possible cost.

Their small sise, robust construction and ease of use make RTDs the number one choice for most temperature measurement or temperature compensation applications.

Unlike thermistors they offer a wide operating range, low drift, a long service life, a near linear output characteristic and a high resistance to thermal shock.

RTDs are also built to an internationally agreed output characteristic to ensure problem free sensor interchangeability and compatibility with standard measuring instruments.

The worlds leading producer of RTD sensors is Heraeus Sensor Technology.

The company offers an extensive range of sensors including SMD, TO92 and SOT 223 designs together with traditional leaded designs.

The sensors are suitable for mounting onto printed circuit boards or hybrid circuits in all applications where temperature measurement or temperature compensation is required.

They can also be built into sensor assemblies and can measure over the range -196 to +1000C.

Sensors are available with nominal resistances of 100, 500, 1000 or 10kohm at 0C and with a measurement tolerance of either +/-0.12% or +/-0.24%.

Some products are also available with levels of accuracy up to +/-0.04%.

All products are fully compliant with the latest RoHS Directive.

Platinum Sensors is the official distributor of Heraeus RTDs in the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia.

The majority of products are held in stock in the UK and are available for next day delivery.

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