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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
DID YOU KNOW ?
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Alessandro Volta was an Italian physicist born in 1745 who on March 20, 1800 announced his invention of the electric battery, which opened the way for electrical experiments, theories, and products. Among the many honors Volta received was an appointment by Napoleon to the position of Count in the French Empire. In his honor, the unit of electromotive force (volt) was named after him.
AN105
Rearranging this expression gives;
Dataforth Corporation
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Measuring Temperature with RTDs Temperature measurements with RTDs first electronically measure the RTD resistance and then convert to temperature using the RTDs resistance vs temperature characteristics. There are numerous circuit topologies used to determine resistance. For example, Figure 1 illustrates a classic bridge configuration used for 3-wire RTD measurements.
R3 Rline3 R2
a
Rline2 RTD Rline1
Vref R1
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
Typical bridge output voltages (as shown above) include line resistance and are non-linear. Modern semiconductor technology facilitates resistance measurements with linear outputs and line resistances eliminate. For example, Figure 2 illustrates a 4-wire RTD configuration with current excitation.
Rline1
b a
Iext
Rline2
Field Side
Module Side
AN105
Dataforth Corporation
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In Figure 2, Vba = Iext x [ R(0) +R], which is a circuit linear output with line resistances eliminated. Note, this scheme does not require equal line resistances. Dataforth offers a 4-wire RTD module, the SCM5B35, which employs the scheme in Figure 2 including RTD vs T linearization and signal isolation. . Figure 3 illustrates another Dataforth modern circuit technique for measuring resistance of a 3-wire RTD given as RTD = R(0) + R.
Rline3 Rx Rline2 RTD Rline1 I2
b a
I1
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
Field Side
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.