The Resistance Temperature Detector, or RTD for short is a device that changes its resistance as the temperature varies. The most popular of these types would be PT100 sensors which have been widely used in industrial settings to measure extreme hot and cold temperatures ranging from -200°C all way up towards 800 degrees Celsius!

The Platinum sensor's PT symbol, which stands for platinum tells us that this type of thermometer was made with the precious metal. A Platinum sensor is one of the most accurate around, which makes it perfect for high-end applications.

EM500-PT100 temperature sensor sits at the sweet spot of excellent accuracy, wide temperature range and various applications.

1) Excellent Accuracy for Extreme Temperatures

The PT100 is one of the most accurate temperature sensors. There are three different ways to measure resistance, which are 2-wire, 3-wire or 4-wire connection. The 2-wire connection is generally suitable for very low accuracy measurements because any wire resistance or connection resistance will bring errors to the results.

Any normal process measurement should be done using a 3-wire connection at least. And Milesight EM500-PT100 is taking use of 3-wire connection measurement for compensating the cable resistance, so as to guarantee the accuracy of collected temperature data.

2) Platinum Probes for Wide Temperature Range

Platinum has a positive resistance temperature factor; resistance increases with rising temperature. Although platinum is a precious metal and therefore very expensive, it delivers greater linearity and stability than any other material.

Milesight EM500-PT100 measures temperature range from -50 to +200°C by default and is able to expand that range from -200 to higher temperature +800°C through different sub-models.

3) Adapted Design for a Multitued of Applications

The EM500-PT100 comes with a couple of types of high accuracy platinum resistance thermometer probes.

The straight tube type of EM500-PT100 probe that can be used in the common industrial sectors such as measuring operations in extremely humid atmospheric condition.

Besides that straight tube type, you can also get some other types of the probe including the armored, the pressure ring, the magnet, the threaded and SMT, etc by customizing service. They can also help EM500-PT100 sensors work smoothly in applications affected by vibrations, and minimize the impact from turbines, pumps, compressors, and other industrial equipment.

Furthermore, the independent lithium battery inside this sensor makes it relatively immune to electrical noise and therefore is well suited for temperature measurement in harsh industrial environments.

4) Response time

When temperature changes with stages, the output of thermocouple will be changed to 50% of this stage variation, the required time is called heat response time, represented in τ0.5.

The factors that affect τ0.5 are related to the material, diameter, and thickness of the protective tube, as well as its structure, installation method, insertion depth, and the flow rate and type of the measured medium.

Typical data values of component response time are as follows:

5) RTD vs Thermocouple / Thermistor

Finally, another frequently asked question by customers is the differences between RTD and thermocouple or thermistor. Well, each kind of temperature sensor has its own marketing position and best-suited circumstances. The Resistance Temperature Detector offers several advantages such as:

- The wide temperature range
- Better accuracy than thermocouples
- Long-term stability
- High Accuracy: Class A Per IEC 60751

Wireless RTD's with Milesight

The Milesight EM500-PT100 sensor is a highly reliable and accurate sensor that offers a number of advantages over other similar products on the market. One of the key advantages of this sensor is its ability for wireless communication. The transmitter has a compact design and is powered by one replaceable 19000 mAh Li-SOCL2 battery making it easy to mount as well as providing the ability to transmit data wirelessly using LoRaWAN technology. This makes it an ideal choice for applications where wired connection is not possible or practical. 

EM500-PT100 Features & Benefits

- Easy Configuration with NFC technology
- Easy Deployment with Wall Mounting/ Pole Mounting/ DIN RAIL
- IP67 weatherproof and waterproof housing
- For use in air, water and any benign and corrosive environment (dependent on probe type)
- Max. 10 years battery life (dependent on use)
- Milesight offers a wide variety of probes in various configurations
- The EM500-PT100 resistance thermometer doesn’t require additional calibration
- Platinum RTD is the most linear, stable and accurate of all RTD’s without measurement errors

The Milesight EM500-PT100 sensor is an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and accurate temperature sensor with wireless communication capabilities. Learn More >>

Typical Applications

- Fridge and Freezer Monitoring
- Food Processing
- Manufacturing Machinery
- Ultra Cold Freezers (-80°C)
- Refining, petrochemical
- Power & energy industries
- High-vibration applications: turbines, pumps, compressors

7 Steps to Choose A Suitable Temperature Sensor

Let’s go over the top 7 factors that you need to consider when picking up the right Platinum Resistance Thermometers or RTDs or Pt100 rtd sensor for your application.

1) Element Type

Do you know the RTD element type? Besides the platinum PT100 or PT1000, other materials such as nickel, nickel-iron alloy, and copper have also been used for RTDs. Regardless of the medium that you are connecting the RTD sensor to, this factor must be first confirmed.

2) Measuring Medium

Will you work the sensor for a gas, liquid, or material’s surface measuring? Where will you deploy the probe? Do you have to put the probe inside something or fasten it with something?

3) Temperature Range

This is the fundamental factor as it determines the element type and the submodels from EM500-PT100 model from -200 to 800°C

4) Deployment Location

What type of probe can help you best fix the RTD, which depends on the location, such as wall mounting, pressure ring, magnetic, SMT, etc.

5) Working Environment

Does the IP67 rating and anti-corrosive protection enough for you? Do you need it to be ATEX approved, safe to food production, against vibration?

6) Physical Considerations

What are the length, diameter and size requirements? Does it need to be bent or extremely long?

7) Wire Connection

You also need to ensure if 2 wire connection is enough to you? Or do you need more accurate data that provided by 3 wire or 4 wire connect?

Discover the range of RTD sensors that can be adapted to the Milesight EM500 Wireless Transmitter here >>