PT 100 sensors – Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

A PT 100 sensor is a type of temperature sensor that uses platinum as the resistive material. The number 100 refers to the resistance at 0°C, which is 100 Ω. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of PT 100 sensors:

Advantages:

• Accuracy: PT100 sensors provide high accuracy when measuring temperatures, especially in the range of -200°C to 850°C. This makes them suitable for applications where precision is crucial.
• Stability: They are generally stable and reliable over the long term, resulting in consistent measurements.
• Wide range of applications: PT100 sensors can be used in a wide array of applications, including industrial processes, laboratory experiments, HVAC systems, food processing, etc.
• Linear response: They exhibit a linear relationship between resistance and temperature, which facilitates interpretation of measurement data.

Disadvantages:

• Cost: PT100 sensors can be more expensive compared to other types of temperature sensors.
• Power consumption: PT100 sensors often require external excitation and signal amplification due to their low resistance values, which adds cost and complexity.
• Sensitivity to vibration and shock: Because they are usually made from platinum wire, PT100 sensors are more susceptible to mechanical stresses such as vibration and shock, which can lead to breakage and measurement errors.
• Responsiveness: PT100 sensors generally have a slow response to rapid temperature changes compared to other sensor types, such as thermocouples.

PT100 sensors are most commonly used in situations where accurate and stable temperature measurements are required, such as industrial processes (for example chemical processing, food processing, etc.), climate control systems, laboratory research and medical applications.

These sensors are available in many forms, for example as cable probes, surface-mounted probes, outdoor probes, room probes, etc.