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RTD, Resistance Temperature Detector: AN105 Dataforth Corporation Page 1 of 3
RTD, Resistance Temperature Detector: AN105 Dataforth Corporation Page 1 of 3
Dataforth Corporation
Page 1 of 3
AN105
Dataforth Corporation
Page 2 of 3
R2
Rline3
a
b
Rline2
Vref
R1
RTD
Rline1
Field Side
Module Side
Figure 1
The Classic 3-Wire RTD Bridge Topology
The voltage Vba in Figure 1 varies as RTD changes with
temperature. For R1 = R2 = R3 = R(0), equal Rlines, and
RTD defined as RTD = R(0) + R then,
Vba =
Vref
R
.
2
2R(0)+R+2Rline
Rline4
Rline3
RTD
Iext
Rline2
Field Side
Module Side
Figure 2
4-Wire RTD with Current Excitation
AN105
Dataforth Corporation
Page 3 of 3
Rx
Rline2
RTD
Rline1
Field Side
I1
Module Side
Figure 3
Dataforths Resistance Measurement Method
Given equal line resistances (a reasonable assumption for
field cable), this measurement technique eliminates their
effect. Moreover, R(0), the temperature independent
resistance part of the RTD is removed.
If Rline3 = Rline2 = Rline1; Rx = R(0); I1 = I2= I; then
Vba = R x I, where R is the temperature dependent
resistance part of the RTD.
This voltage Vba is electronically scaled and linearized
to represent the actual temperature.
Self Heating
Self-heating errors can arise when the excitation circuit
drives RTD sensors at power levels exceeding the
manufactures specification. For example, if the excitation
current (I) in Figure 2 is 250 micro-amps, which is
Dataforths value for 100 Ohm RTDs, and temperature is
50 C (~80 ), then RTD power dissipation would be ~5
micro-watts. For industrial RTD sensors, current
excitation less than 500 A rarely cause self-heating
errors. One should always check.
Typical Dataforth Module
Figure 4 shows the topology layout of Dataforths DIN
Rail mounted DSCA34 Linearized 2-or3-Wire RTD Input
Signal Conditioning Module, which uses the above
excitation method with isolation, surge protection, and
linearization included.
Figure 4
Dataforth DSCA34 Linearized 2-or3-Wire RTD
Dataforth provides a complete line of signal conditioning
modules that include isolation, input protection, and
linearization for a variety of industrial applications. The
reader is encouraged to visit Dataforth's website
www.Dataforth.com for complete detail information on
all Dataforth's product and additional application
information.
Additional Reference Links
Listed below are informative web sites on RTDs
1. NIST Thermometry Group,
http://www.nist.gov/thermometry_group
2. ASTM,
www.astm.org
3. IEC,
http://www.iec.ch
4. International Temperature Scale of 1990,
http://www.its-90.com
5. RTD Training and Information Resources,
http://www.temperatures.com/rtdtrain.html
6. Isothermal Technology,
http://www.isotech.co.uk/weare.html
http://www.isotech.co.uk/prtcalc-web.html
7. 100Ohm RTD Platinum Table,
http://www.prosensor.com/Anglais/Pages/Page02B-B-0103.htm
8. Honeywell,
http://content.honeywell.com/building/components/Hycal
_Html/temp.asp