What are PT100s How to Measure and Where to Buy

PT100s are the most popular types of the platinum resistance temperature sensor elements. PT100are named after PT meaning platinum and 100 referring to the reference resistance of 100Ω at at 0°C

How does the PT100 Temperature Sensor Work?

RTD PT100 Temperature sensors are made from platinum because platinum Predictably and accurately changes its electrical resistance with the temperature. This change can be transferred into the temperature

The PT100 Resistance and Temperature are directly proportional , meaning as the Temperature increases the Resistance will increase and as the Temperature decreases so does the Resistance.

What is the PT100 Maximum Temperature Range?

• Typical Standard PT100s- Have a Maximum Temperature of 600°C
• Specialised high Temperature PT100 have a temperature Range of 1000°C
• Higher quality Industrial High Temperature PT100s- Have Temperature Range of 800°C
  

Where to buy PT100s?

PT100s and PT100s in standard probes , elements and custom assemblies can be purchased from our PT100 store.

Custom PT100s sensor probes

Is something bespoke is required please get into contact , or complete our PT100 sensor form 

How to Test a PT100 with a Meter?

This is a common method to test if the PT100 works and to verify the resistance change with temperature change

• Connect the Multimeter leads into the Resistance measuring configuration
• Set the meter to ohms - Auto scale or in the range of less than 1000
• Connect one probe to one leg/ wire and then connect the other probe to the other leg / wire

RTD PT100 Sensor Probes and Elements Experts

We have expertise and experience with PT100 Sensors and Probes contact us with your requirements and we can despatch a PT100 the same day or design a new Probe for your application.

PT100 or PT1000? What is better

The choice between PT100 or a PT1000 depends on the electronics design, application and legacy installations.

The difference in reference resistance is demonstrated in the table below

Advantages of the PT100 RTD Sensor

However PT100 are more established and industry known and have a wider availability. a lot of legacy hardware use PT100 and therefore if they need a replacement a PT100 sensor is needed

Advantages of a PT1000 RTD sensor

• Can have longer wires compared to PT100 because the wire resistance is negligible when the sensor resistance is in the 1000s.
• Additionally low power and current consumption circuit benefit from a PT1000 because it uses less current and the supportive circuitry will also typically use less current.
• PT1000 can be easier to integrate and measure therefore higher resolution can be achieved