What is a pt100 resistance Thermometer?

A pt100 is a type of resistance thermometers. This name might reveal a lot already because a resistance thermometer measures temperature using electrical resistance. So a pt100 resistance thermometer is one type of temperature sensor. A temperature sensor, in general, provides for temperature measurement through an electrical signal. It measures the temperature or heat on the operating machine part. As you can imagine, temperatures can rise high when it comes to machines. That’s why it’s crucial to keep track of this. That’s also the reason why temperature sensors are commonly used devices. They come in a lot of different forms, also called models. Out of these, the pt100 resistance thermometer is one of the most popular ones.

Why the name pt100?

Pt100 resistance thermometers got this name because of the measuring scale they are provided with. This means that the resistance on a Pt100 thermometer is 100 ohm for 0°C. So let’s start with some background information. Resistance thermometers in general measure temperature using electrical resistance. A resistance thermometer doesn’t show temperatures, but the amount of resistance in ohm that belongs to a temperature. In industry, Pt100 or Pt1000 resistance thermometers are the most popular ones. The resistance on a Pt100 thermometer is 100 ohm for 0°C, for a Pt1000 this resistance is 1000 ohm for 0°C.

How does a pt100 work?

But how does this process inside a pt100 work? The center of such a thermometer contains a measuring resistance sensor. When temperature changes, the electrical resistance in this pt100 sensor increases or decreases. Pt100 resistance thermometers are usually used to measure temperatures between -200 and 600°C.

Different types

In the basis, there are two types of pt100s. They differ from each other based on the core:

• Thin film resistance pt100. These are smaller in size and have a high vibration resistance. Nowadays, thin film resistance thermometers are the standard. Provided that they aren’t excluded based upon temperature range. This type is suitable for the range -50°C to 500°C.
• Wire wound resistance pt100. These resistance thermometers are suitable for a temperature range of -200°C and 600°C. They are often used in high power resistor applications.

When is a pt100 used?

A pt100 is used to measure the temperature of a medium. It differs from a regular thermometer because it does not have a readable scale. Also, a pt100 doesn’t contain moving parts and can be read from a distance. This allows you to place it in a place that’s hard to reach. The signal the pt100 sends can be used for a lot of different measuring purposes.

But, which to use?

Like with most measuring instruments, a lot of factors have an influence on the total process when it comes to pt100s. That’s why it can be quite complicated choosing which pt100 to use. Luckily for you, our TUVO Instruments experts are happy to help you out!