Introduction To Resistance Temperature Detectors RTD : Theory and Standards

With these general guidelines to the basic function, performance, and recognized standards for RTD's, anyone can specify the right device for the application.

Setting the specifications for any sensor or instrument can be a difficult process, and RTD's (resistance temperature detectors) are no exception. No one can be expected to be an expert in all fields, and frankly, no one needs to be. With these general RTD guidelines, along with a little common sense and background information on the application, you will successfully detail the specifications of an RTD that will satisfy your requirements.

THEORY OF OPERATION

A basic physical property of a metal is that its electrical resistivity changes with temperature. All RTD's are based on this principle. The heart of the RTD is the resistance element. Several varieties of semi-supported wire-wound fully supported bifilar wound glass, and thin film type elements are shown here.

Some metals have a very predictable change of resistance for a given change of temperature; these are the metals that are most commonly chosen for fabricating an RTD. A precision resistor is made from one of these metals to a nominal ohmic value at a specified temperature. By measuring its resistance at some unknown temperature and comparing this value to the resistor's nominal value, the change in resistance is determined. Because the temperature vs. resistance characteristics are also known, the change in temperature from the point initially specified can be calculated. We now have a practical temperature sensor, which in its bare form (the resistor) is commonly referred to as a resistance element.

Through years of experience, the characteristics of various metals and their alloys have been learned, and their temperature vs. resistance relationships are available in look-up tables. For some types of RTD's, there are also equations that give you the temperature from a given resistance. This information has made it possible for instrument manufacturers to provide standard readout and control devices that are compatible with some of the more widely accepted types of RTD's.

RTD SPECIFICATIONS

Eight salient parameters must be addressed for every RTD application to ensure the desired performance. Many will be specified by the manufacturer of the instrument to which the RTD will be connected. If it is a custom circuit or special OEM application, the designers must make all the decisions. The four specifications dictated by the instrumentation or circuitry are: sensor material, temperature coefficient, nominal resistance, and, to some extent, wiring configuration. Sensor Material Several metals are quite common for use in RTD's, and the purity of the metal as well as the element construction affects its characteristics. Platinum is by far the most popular due to its near linearity with temperature, wide temperature operating range, and superior long-term stability. Other materials are nickel, copper, balco (an iron-nickel alloy), tungsten, and iridium. Most of these are being replaced with platinum sensors, which are becoming more competitive in price through the wide use of thin film-type resistance elements that require only a very small amount of platinum as compared to a wire-wound element.

Temperature Coefficient

The temperature coefficient (TC), or alpha of an RTD is a physical and electrical property of the metal alloy and the method by which the element was fabricated. The alpha describes the average resistance change per unit temperature from the ice point to the boiling point of water. Various organizations have adopted a number of different TC's as their standards (see "Temperature Coefficient Standards").

Nominal Resistance

Nominal resistance is the pre-specified resistance value at a given temperature. Most standards, including IEC-751, use as their reference point because it is easy to reproduce. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specifies the standard based on 100.00 Ohms at 0�C, but other nominal resistance's are quite common. Among the advantages that thin film technology has brought to the industry are small, economical elements with nominal resistance's of 500, 1000, and even 2000 ohms.

Wiring Configuration

The wiring configuration is the last of those parameters typically specified by the instrument manufacturer, although the system designer does have some control based on the application. An RTD is inherently a 2-wire device, but lead wire resistance can drastically reduce the accuracy of the measurement by adding additional, uncompensated resistance into your system. Most applications therefore add a third wire to help the circuit compensate for lead wire resistance, and thus provide a truer indication of the measured temperature.

Four-wire RTD's provide slightly better compensation, but are generally found only in laboratory equipment and other areas where high accuracy is required. When used in conjunction with a 3-wire instrument, a 4-wire RTD will not provide any better accuracy. If the fourth wire is not connected, the device is only as good as the 3-wire RTD; if the fourth wire is connected, new errors will be introduced. Connecting a 3-wire RTD to a 4-wire instrument can cause serious errors or simply not work at all, depending on the instrument circuitry. A 2-wire RTD can be used with either a 3 or a 4 -wire instrument by jumping the appropriate terminals, although this defeats the purpose and reintroduces the un compensated resistance of the leads. To get the optimum performance, it is generally best to specify the RTD according to the instrument manufacturer's recommendations.

Two other parameters are more application dependent the temperature range of the application and the accuracy.

Temperature Range

According to the ASTM, platinum RTD's can measure temperatures from -200^oC to 650^oC. (IEC says -200^oC to 850^oC). You must consider the temperature limitations of all the materials involved, where they are applied, and the temperatures to which each will be exposed. A few quick examples to illustrate this point: TFE Teflon should not be used for wire insulation if it will be exposed to temperatures above 200^oC (250^oC for some). Moisture proof seals are commonly made with various types of epoxy that generally have limits below that of the Teflon insulation.

Many wire insulating materials become brittle at subzero temperatures and therefore should not be used for cryogenic work.

So state the intended temperature range right up front and let the applications engineer assist you, especially since it may affect the materials chosen for internal construction of the probe.

Accuracy

You are probably wondering why accuracy was not the first topic covered, because RTD's are generally known for their high degree of accuracy and it is typically one of the first specifications laid out. Well, the subject is not quite that simple, and it requires a bit of discussion. First, we must establish the difference between accuracy, precision, and repeatability. In the case of temperature, accuracy is commonly defined as how closely the sensor indicates the true temperature being measured, or in a more practical sense, how closely the resistance of the RTD matches the tabulated or calculated resistance of that type RTD at that given temperature.

Precision, on the other hand, is not concerned with how well the RTD's resistance matches the resistance from a look-up table, but rather with how well it matches the resistance of other RTD's subjected to that temperature. Precision generally refers to a group of sensors, and if the group has good precision at several temperatures, we can also say that they are well matched. This is important when interchangeability is a concern, as well as in the measurement of temperature gradients. Repeatability can best be described as the sensor's ability to reproduce its previous readings at a given temperature.

Most 4-20 mA transmitters and many display units and controllers have adjustable zero and span controls that if improperly adjusted will destroy the high accuracy of the RTD signal.

The best solution for applications of this type is to have both the RTD and the transmitter, or display, or whatever, calibrated as a unit by a certified calibration laboratory.

Fortunately, the requirements for this degree of accuracy best solution for applications of this type are few and far between. Our final two parameters are application dependent and vary from the specification of a bare resistance element to a large industrial assembly with thermowells, connection heads, and possibly field -mounted transmitters. We will discuss only the most basic areas: physical dimensions and size restrictions, and material compatibility.

Dimensions and Size

The physical dimensions and size requirements can be more complicated than you might think. On the low end, a resistance element to be used in the construction of a sheathed RTD generally requires only that the element is small enough to fit into the desired sheath ID. For cylindrical elements, such as wire-wound units, this is obvious-just don't forget to allow for the wall thickness of the sheath. For thin film-type elements, we must apply the Pythagorean theorem; we need to know the width of the element, w, and the thickness of the element at its largest point, t. Then the minimum ID of the sheath will be given by; ID > (w2 + t2).

When we begin to discuss RTD probes and assemblies, the subject becomes more demanding. We need to examine the mounting arrangement: will it be used for direct immersion or with a thermowell? Or will it be something special, like an exposed airflow probe or surface mount sensor? Probe designs are endless in their configurations, and it seems that most applications have some unique requirements that make this a rather creative field in itself.

In many applications, the probe is immersed in a small vessel or piping system. Dimensions here are generally limited to sensor diameter (which affects response time); immersion depth into the fluid; and the mounting arrangement, i.e., will the sensor be screwed into a threaded port, typically with ANSI tapered threads, or will it be used in con-junction with a fluid seal already in place? Or will some other special considerations need to be made? There may be other variables, such as pressure limitations or high flow, depending on the complexity of the application. It is always best to look at the whole picture. and then discuss it with your applications engineer.

Thermowells are generally used for larger vessels and systems so that the system will not have to be drained in the event the sensor requires calibration or changing. Assuming the thermowell has already been specified, we need only to specify the probe diameter (typically � in. OD for a 0.260 in. bore well), the depth of the thermowell bore, and how the RTD will be secured into the well (typically spring-loaded through a � in. NPT nipple or hex-nipple).

Material Compatibility

Most people specifying RTD probes have to pay attention only to the chemical compatibility that will prevent corrosion. This is generally straightforward and guidelines can be taken from other materials used in the system in which the RTD will be installed. If the piping system is constructed of 316 S.S., then the probe probably should be also. But always check a corrosion guide for corrosion rates and material recommendations if you have the slightest doubt.

For applications involving thermowells, the thermowell will carry the burden of corrosion protection. However, be sure to protect the connecting wires and any terminals or plugs from possible corrosion caused by splash or corrosives in the atmosphere.