Application Guide Volume VI AG2017-09

Applying Various Types of RTDs

With SEL Devices
Mircea Rusicior

INTRODUCTION
Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) are temperature sensors used for the thermal
protection of transformers, generators, motors, and other equipment. There are three types of
RTD configurations: two-wire, three-wire, and four-wire. Each type of RTD is designed to be
paired with a resistance measurement device of the same configuration: two-terminal, three-
terminal, and four-terminal. Pairing RTDs with measurement devices of a different terminal
number must be done with caution. This application guide specifies the correct connection of
two-wire, three-wire, and four-wire RTDs to three-terminal SEL measurement devices.

RTD BASICS
The most commonly used RTDs are wire-wound and thin-film RTDs. Wire-wound RTDs have a
ceramic or glass core wrapped with a fine platinum wire. Thin-film RTDs have a ceramic
substrate covered in resistance-patterned platinum film.
The resistance of the thin platinum wire varies as a function of temperature. The RTD sensor
temperature is obtained by connecting a resistance-measuring device to the RTD with a set of
leads. The measurement device determines the resistance by injecting a small amount of current
and measuring the resulting voltage drop across the RTD and the leads. The injection current is
usually no more than 5 mA to avoid self-heating of the sensor. The temperature can be obtained
because it is a known function of resistance. You can reduce the effect of lead resistance by using
different RTD connections.
IEC 60751 Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers and Platinum Temperature Sensors
defines RTD application requirements. The following are some of the main properties of RTDs as
given by the standard: nominal resistance (at 0°C), tolerance class (AA, A, B, C), temperature
range of validity, and temperature coefficient. Other physical properties include probe type
(surface-mount, immersion, bayonet, ring, etc.) and connection type (attached plug, connection
head, permanently attached leads, etc.). The RTD leads are often shielded to reduce the effects of
electromagnetic interference. The shield needs to be connected to the measurement device per
manufacturer specifications.
The thermocouple, an alternate temperature sensing device to RTDs, works on different
principles and is not as prevalent due to the higher accuracy and repeatability of RTDs. RTDs are
useful in industrial applications below 600°C.
For protection applications, RTDs can provide alarming, tripping, and dynamic adjustment of
thermal models. Protective relays can detect open or shorted RTD circuits.

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TYPES OF RTDS
The four commonly used RTD types are 100-ohm platinum (PT100), 100-ohm nickel (NI100),
120-ohm nickel (NI120), and 10-ohm copper (CU10). Each type has a different resistance-versus-
temperature relationship (change in resistance per degree of temperature). The IEC 60751
standard defines the resistance-versus-temperature relationship for platinum RTDs. The nominal
resistance of the RTD is given for a temperature of 0°C.
The two most important characteristics of the RTD are linearity and resistance magnitude. The
material making up the RTD should have a linear resistance-versus-temperature relationship with
a resistance value large enough to be measured accurately with minimal impact from lead
resistance, connections, and other factors. The lead resistance may be in the tens of ohms. The
RTD curves for the four most common types of RTDs are shown in Figure 1. Appendix A—
Resistance-versus-Temperature Curve (IEC 60751) shows the same data in table format
(Table 3). The resistance-versus-temperature relationships are based on the IEC 60751 standard.

400
100-ohm Platinum (PT100)
350
120-ohm Nickel (NI120)
300
100-ohm Nickel (NI100)
Resistance (Ω)

250
10-ohm Copper (CU10)
200
150
100
50
0
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220
230
240
250
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
0
–50
–40
–30
–20
–10

Temperature (°C)

Figure 1 RTD Resistance-Versus-Temperature Curves

The PT100 RTD is most commonly used because of its linearity and chemical inertness. Figure 1
shows that the NI120 and NI100 are not as linear as PT100, especially in higher temperature
ranges. The CU10 RTD is very linear, but its low resistance value makes it susceptible to
resistance measurement errors. Copper also oxidizes at moderate temperatures and cannot be used
in applications over 150°C.
Table 1 shows the two-way lead resistance as a function of lead length for two common wire
sizes, 22 AWG and 18 AWG. The values are calculated based on standard wire resistance as
given in the National Electric Code (NEC). Lead resistance can easily exceed the resistance value
of the 10-ohm copper RTD and even that of the nickel or platinum RTDs for lower temperatures.
SEL measurement devices for RTDs limit the lead resistance to 25 ohms per lead. Table 1 also
shows the approximate temperature error introduced by each lead length for the PT100 RTD. The
temperature error is approximated by calculating the temperature change per ohm over the –40°C
to 250°C range to account for non-linearity in the resistance-versus-temperature relationship.
Table 2 shows the maximum lead length for common wire sizes.

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Table 1 Effect of Lead Length on RTD Temperature Measurements for PT100 (Approximation)

AWG Lead Length (m) Lead Resistance (Ω) PT100 Temperature Error

10 1.06 2.8°C
22 100 10.60 28.0°C
500 53.00 139.0°C
10 0.42 1.1°C
18 100 4.20 11.1°C
500 20.95 55.3°C

RTD CONNECTIONS AND MEASUREMENT CONFIGURATIONS

Because the lead resistance introduces large errors in RTD resistance measurements, you can use
different RTD connections to minimize the potential error. Figure 2 shows the standard
connections and lead colors per IEC 60751. The colors may differ depending on the
manufacturer.

Two-Wire Three-Wire Four-Wire

Configuration Configuration Configuration

Red
Red
Red Red
Red

One Resistor

White White
White
White

Red Red
Red Red
Red
White White White
White
Two Resistor
Yellow
Yellow Yellow Yellow
Black (Grey) Black (Grey) Black (Grey)
Black (Grey) Black (Grey)

Figure 2 RTD Connection Configurations (From IEC 60751)

Two-Wire RTD Configuration

The two-wire RTD configuration does not allow for compensation of the terminal lead resistance,
which makes it impractical for most applications because of its high margin of error. The
measurement device consists of a constant current source connected to the RTD. The device
measures the voltage between Terminals 1 and 2 to calculate the total resistance of the RTD and

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the leads, as seen in Figure 3. The connection shown in Figure 3 does not apply to the SEL
measurement devices for RTDs because they are three-terminal devices only. Figure 8 shows how
to connect two-wire RTDs to SEL devices.

RLEAD
+ 1 3 Red

Iin
2-Terminal
Measurement RRTD 2-Wire RTD
Device
RLEAD
– 2 4 White

V12 = Iin • (RLEAD + RRTD + RLEAD)

Rmeasured = V12 / Iin
Rmeasured = RRTD + 2 • RLEAD

Figure 3 Two-Wire RTD and Two-Terminal Measurement Device

Three-Wire RTD Configuration

The three-wire RTD configuration allows for compensation of lead resistance. This is the most
common type of RTD connection. SEL RTD devices only use this method.
The measurement device consists of two constant current sources of equal magnitude, as shown
in Figure 4. The RTD measurement device measures the voltage between Terminals 1 and 2. The
voltage seen by Terminal 1 is a result of the two-way lead resistance and the RTD resistance. The
voltage seen by Terminal 2 is a result of the two-way lead resistance. Therefore, the voltage
difference between Terminals 1 and 2 is the voltage across the RTD. Knowing the value of the
injected current allows you to calculate the RTD resistance.
The three-wire RTD method assumes equal length and equal resistance of the three leads, as seen
in Figure 4. The three leads are assumed to have the same resistance (RLEAD). Inaccuracies may be
introduced if the three leads are different lengths, wire sizes, or have varying degrees of heat
exposure. This inaccuracy is generally acceptable for thermal protection, but not for laboratory
and revenue applications. Additionally, the three-wire RTD measurement devices require two
current sources.

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Iin
RLEAD
+ 1 4 White

RRTD
Iin
3-Terminal RLEAD
– 2 5 Red
Measurement 3-Wire RTD
Device

RLEAD
RTN 3 6 Red

V13 = Iin • RLEAD + Iin • RRTD + 2 • Iin • RLEAD

V23 = Iin • RLEAD + 2 • Iin • RLEAD
RRTD = (V13 – V23) / Iin
RRTD = V12 / Iin

Figure 4 Three-Wire RTD and Three-Terminal Measurement Device

Four-Wire RTD Configuration

The four-wire RTD configuration allows for accurate compensation of lead resistance even when
using dissimilar leads. These RTDs are used in revenue applications and laboratory environments
where accuracy is critical. The measurement device consists of one constant current source, as
shown in Figure 5. Each of the four leads is assigned a different resistance: RLEAD1, RLEAD2,
RLEAD3, and RLEAD4. Two of the terminals compose the current loop while the other two measure
voltage. The current flow causes a voltage drop across the RTD. Because no current flows from
Terminals 6 to 2 or 7 to 3, the voltage across the RTD equals the voltage developed between
Terminals 2 and 3, regardless of the resistance of each lead. The RTD resistance can be calculated
because the current is a known value. The connection shown in Figure 5 does not apply to the
SEL measurement devices for RTDs because they are three-terminal devices only. Figure 10
shows how to connect four-wire RTDs to SEL devices.

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RLEAD1
+ 1 5 Red

4-Terminal RLEAD2 6 Red

+ 2
Measurement 4-Wire RTD
Device
Iin RRTD

– 3 RLEAD3 7 White

– 4 RLEAD4 8 White

V14 = Iin • RLEAD1 + Iin • RRTD + Iin • RLEAD4

VRTD = Iin • RRTD
V23 = VRTD (open circuit)
RRTD = V23 / Iin

Figure 5 Four-Wire RTD and Four-Terminal Measurement Device

SEL MEASUREMENT DEVICES FOR RTDS

SEL offers two RTD measurement devices: the SEL-2600 RTD Module and the RTD input card.
The RTD input card can be used with certain SEL-700 series relays and the SEL-2411 and
SEL-2414. The SEL-2600 is available for use with most SEL devices. Both the SEL-2600 and
RTD input card use the three-terminal method of measuring resistance, as shown in the
connection schematic in Figure 7.

SEL-2600 RTD Module

The SEL-2600 RTD Module measures as many as twelve RTDs and sends the temperature
information to protective relays and other devices via fiber-optic serial communication, as shown
in Figure 6. The RTD leads must have a resistance of less than 25 ohms per lead (see Table 2).
The protective relays receiving RTD information can be as far as 500 meters away for V-pin
connectors and 1000 meters away for ST® connectors. Table 4 in Appendix B—Product
Compatibility Guide provides information about the fiber connectors used for each relay. The
RTD terminals are shown in Figure 7. The following SEL devices are compatible with the
SEL-2600:
• SEL-700G, SEL-701, SEL-710, SEL-710-5, SEL-749M, SEL-751, SEL-751A, SEL-787,
SEL-787-3, -4
• SEL-2411, SEL-2414
• SEL-300G, SEL-352-2, SEL-387A, SEL-387-5, -6

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• SEL-411L, SEL-421, SEL-451, SEL-487B, SEL-487E, SEL-487V

• SEL-2030, SEL-2032, SEL-3530 (RTAC)

Fiber-Optic Cable
SEL-2600 SEL Relay

Figure 6 SEL-2600 RTD Module

RTD Input Card

The RTD input card is one of the SELECT I/O card options available for certain SEL-700 series
relays and the SEL-2411 and SEL-2414, and it allows for as many as ten RTDs to be connected
directly to the protection device. The RTD lead resistance should not exceed 25 ohms per lead
(see Table 2). The terminals for the RTD input card are shown in Figure 7. You must set the
device to accept RTD inputs from either the RTD input card or from the SEL-2600, but not from
both simultaneously. For I/O-intensive applications in which the RTD input card slot is required
for I/O, it may be advantageous to instead use the SEL-2600 by connecting it to a fiber serial port.
The RTD input card is field-upgradeable and can be installed in the following SEL devices:
• SEL-700G, SEL-710, SEL-710-5, SEL-751, SEL-751A, SEL-787, SEL-787-3, -4
• SEL-2411, SEL-2414

Figure 7 Connection Terminals for the SEL-2600 RTD Module and SELECT RTD Input Card

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Table 2 shows the maximum RTD lead length for various wire sizes that satisfy the 25-ohm limit
required for connecting to SEL devices.

Table 2 Maximum RTD Lead Length for SEL Devices

RTD Lead Size (AWG) Maximum Length (m) Resistance (Ω)

26 184 m 25 Ω
24 290 m 25 Ω
22 455 m 25 Ω
20 730 m 25 Ω
18 1155 m 25 Ω

CONNECTING RTDS TO SEL MEASUREMENT DEVICES

SEL RTD measurement devices exclusively use the three-wire method, but can be connected to
all types of RTDs (two-wire, three-wire, and four-wire) by using the correct connections for each,
as shown in this section.
When using two-wire RTDs with SEL devices, connect the red and white RTD terminals to the
positive and return terminals of the SEL device, respectively. Place a jumper between the
negative terminal (second current source) and the return terminal, as shown in Figure 8. Connect
the cable shield to the return terminal. The lead resistance is not accounted for with this
connection, and the temperature reading error must be accounted for through other means. See
Table 1 for an example of the magnitude of this error.
SEL Measurement Device
(3-Terminal)

Red
+

White
RTN

Shield

Figure 8 Two-Wire RTD Connection for SEL Devices

Three-wire RTDs connect to SEL devices per the standard three-wire connection shown in
Figure 9. No modifications are required in this case because SEL devices use the three-wire
measurement method. Connect the cable shield to the return terminal.

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SEL Measurement Device

(3-Terminal)

White
+

Red
–

RTN Red

Shield

Figure 9 Three-Wire RTD Connection for SEL Devices

Connecting four-wire RTDs to SEL devices requires that one of the four RTD wires be
terminated (open circuit). The remaining three wires can be connected per the three-wire scheme.
This connection is shown in Figure 10. The benefit of compensating for uneven lead length is lost
because the four-wire RTD has essentially been converted to a three-wire RTD. The side with the
terminated wire can be red or white as long as the pair with the terminated wire is connected to
the positive terminal of the SEL device. Connect the cable shield to the return terminal.
SEL Measurement Device
(3-Terminal) Red (Terminated)

Red
+

White
–

RTN White

Shield

Figure 10 Four-Wire RTD Connection for SEL Devices

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APPENDIX A—RESISTANCE-VERSUS-TEMPERATURE CURVE (IEC 60751)

Table 3 RTD Resistance-Versus-Temperature Values
Temp (°F) Temp (°C) 100-Platinum 120-Nickel 100-Nickel 10-Copper
–58 –50 80.31 86.17 74.30 7.10
–40 –40 84.27 92.76 79.10 7.49
–22 –30 88.22 99.41 84.20 7.88
–4 –20 92.16 106.15 89.30 8.26
14 –10 96.09 113.00 94.60 8.65
32 0 100.00 120.00 100.00 9.04
50 10 103.90 127.17 105.60 9.42
68 20 107.79 134.52 111.20 9.81
86 30 111.67 142.06 117.10 10.19
104 40 115.54 149.79 123.00 10.58
122 50 119.39 157.74 129.10 10.97
140 60 123.24 165.90 135.30 11.35
158 70 127.07 174.25 141.70 11.74
176 80 130.89 182.84 148.30 12.12
194 90 134.70 191.64 154.90 12.51
212 100 138.50 200.64 161.80 12.90
230 110 142.29 209.85 168.80 13.28
248 120 146.06 219.29 176.00 13.67
266 130 149.83 228.96 183.30 14.06
284 140 153.58 238.85 190.90 14.44
302 150 157.32 248.95 198.70 14.83
320 160 161.05 259.30 206.60 15.22
338 170 164.77 269.91 214.80 15.61
356 180 168.47 280.77 223.20 16.00
374 190 172.17 291.96 231.80 16.39
392 200 175.85 303.46 240.70 16.78
410 210 179.15 315.31 249.80 17.17
428 220 183.17 327.54 259.20 17.56
446 230 186.82 340.14 268.90 17.95
464 240 190.45 353.14 278.90 18.34
482 250 194.08 366.53 289.10 18.73

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APPENDIX B—PRODUCT COMPATIBILITY GUIDE

Table 4 SEL-2600 Product Compatibility Guide
SEL-2600 Connected to EIA-232a or
SEL-2600 Connected to Fiber-Optic Port on the Device
EIA-485b Port on the Device
Both V-Pin and ST Connector
V-Pin Connector Option Only ST Connector Option Only
Options
SEL-701 SEL-700Gc SEL-300G
SEL-701-1 SEL-710 SEL-352-2, -3
SEL-710-5 SEL-387A
SEL-749M SEL-387-5, -6
SEL-751 SEL-411L
SEL-751A SEL-421
SEL-787 SEL-451
SEL-787-3, -4 SEL-487B
SEL-2411 SEL-487E
SEL-2414 SEL-487V
SEL-2030/SEL-2032
SEL-3530 (RTAC)
a
Requires an SEL-2812M or SEL-2814 for ST connectors and an SEL-2800M Fiber-Optic Transceiver for
V-pin connectors.
b
Requires an SEL-2820 V-Pin Transceiver for V-pin connectors and an SEL-2824 Fiber-Optic Transceiver
or SEL-9220 Fiber-Optic Adapter (SEL-300 series relays only) for ST connectors.
c
The SEL-700G also supports the SEL-2600 RTD Module on the EIA-232 port using the SEL-2812M or
SEL-2814M for ST connectors and SEL-2800M Fiber-Optic Transceiver for V-pin connectors, and on the
EIA-485 port using the SEL-2820 V-Pin Transceiver for V-pin connectors and SEL-2824 Fiber-Optic
Transceiver for ST connectors.

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FACTORY ASSISTANCE
We appreciate your interest in SEL products and services. If you have questions or comments,
please contact us at:
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
2350 NE Hopkins Court
Pullman, WA 99163-5603 U.S.A.
Tel: +1.509.338.3838
Fax: +1.509.332.7990
selinc.com
info@selinc.com

© 2017 by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

All rights reserved.

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trademark or registered trademark of their respective holders.
No SEL trademarks may be used without written permission.

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U.S. and Foreign patents.

SEL Application Guide 2017-09 Date Code 20170525