Dwyer RTDs
Dwyer's resistive temperature devices (RTDs) are engineered to deliver the sort of temperature measurement stability that's needed in many process-industry applications. If a system designer or process engineer is going to trust a temperature reading in determining the accuracy and stability of a process, then that reading has to be reliable. RTDs aren't the only way to measure temperature, of course, but they have a number of virtues that make them suitable for many tasks.
First, there's accuracy. Dwyer's RTD temperature range specifications indicate that the accuracy of Dwyer's temperature readings will be within 0.5 degrees Celsius or 0.6 percent of full scale. Second, there's stability. Dwyer RTDs have a very low drift rate of 0.05 ohms or 0.12 percent of full scale per week. The meaning of "low drift" is simply that a technician or engineer measuring temperature can count on the RTD to deliver a reading with the same sort of integrity that a good-quality laboratory thermometer would have. Another way to think about this is that the Dwyer RTD is as good a temperature-sensing device as anything currently available in the industry.
FAQs
What is a Dwyer RTD and how does it work?
A Dwyer RTD is a resistance temperature detector that measures temperature by monitoring resistance changes in a precision platinum element.
What industries commonly use Dwyer RTDs?
Dwyer RTDs are used in HVAC systems, industrial automation, process control, food processing, energy management, and environmental monitoring.
How accurate are Dwyer RTDs compared to other temperature sensors?
Dwyer RTDs offer high accuracy and long-term stability, outperforming thermocouples in precision and low-drift temperature measurement applications.
What RTD element types does Dwyer offer?
Most Dwyer RTDs use platinum PT100 or PT1000 elements, available in 2-wire, 3-wire, and 4-wire configurations depending on accuracy requirements.
How do I choose the right Dwyer RTD for my application?
You should consider temperature range, probe length, element type, wiring configuration, mounting style, and whether you need NEMA or industrial-grade protection.
What is an RTD?
What is an RTD?
RTD stands for Resistance Temperature Detector. RTDs use a specific type of metal that, depending on the resistance measured in the metal, can measure temperature. Thin film element RTDs use a very thin layer of resistive metal adhered to a substrate, typically ceramic, and coated in glass or epoxy. Wire wound element RTDs provide greater accuracy and a wider temperature measurement range, however, over time the element wire can become stressed leading to slight measurement errors. Coiled element RTDs are the most common type of RTD and allow for strain free measurement on the wire element while still providing accurate measurement.
How do RTD elements work?
As the temperature of a metal increases, the metal's resistance to the flow of electricity increases. As the temperature of the RTD resistive element increases, the electrical resistance, measured in ohms, also increases. Each metal has a certain resistance measurement at different temperatures. Based on the resistance that is measured in a given type of metal, it can be determined what the temperature is. The most common types of metals used in RTDs are platinum, nickel and copper.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of RTDs?
RTDs provide a high level of accuracy over a wide operating range. Because of their accuracy, they are often used in situations where temperature measurement is critical. RTDs are rarely used at temperatures above 660 degrees Celsius and they do not provide the same level of accuracy or resolution as thermistors at lower temperatures.