Technical Information

Platinum (Pt) resistance elements are temperature sensors based upon the property that the electrical resistance of platinum (Pt) increases with a rise in temperature. Generally, Pt elements are not designed for use in their discrete element form. Some type of housing or assembly is usually required to provide protection from the environment.

Heraeus Nexensos supplies three basic types of platinum (Pt) resistance elements:

Thin Film Platinum (Pt) Elements are constructed by depositing a sensing layer of platinum on a ceramic substrate. Thin Film Elements offer the advantages of small size and a wide choice of resistance values ranging from 1 to 10.000 ohms. Thin Film Elements are available in both leaded and SMD versions.

Ceramic Wire Wound Elements are only available from Heraeus Nexensos USA.

Ceramic Wire Wound Elements consist of a ceramic body with the platinum resistance wire encapsulated in longitudinal bore holes, and sealed with a high-temperature material. The larger mass (compared to Thin Film Elements) allows the use of higher source currents.

A wide range of sizes, resistance values, and operating temperature ranges are available.

Standard and customer-specific designs are available for a variety of applications .

Several factors need to be considered when using Platinum Resistance Elements in assemblies.

Minimum Fit Diameter

The reference tables conform to the International Industrial Standard IEC 60751 for pt100 , pt200 , pt500 , pt1000 and pt2000

Basic and limit values of pt temperature sensors

Tolerances

Tolerances: Platinum (Pt) resistance elements can be supplied as standard in class F 0,3 (B), F 0,15 (A) and F 0,1 (1/3 class B). The tolerance 1/10 class B is available on request.

Have a closer look at the tables with deviations for pt100 , pt500 , pt1000 and pt2000 .

Values for response times in water and air are stated in the tables on each product data sheet. Thin Film Platinum (Pt) Resistance Elements have exceptionally short response times.

Find your suitable data sheet on our product pages

Like all resistive elements through which a current flows, Platinum (Pt) Resistance Elements are slightly heated by the current. The magnitude of this "self-heating error" is dependent upon on the electrical energy input (N=I2 x R), the volume of heat being dissipated, and a component constant. The self-heating constant for each resistance element when used in water or air is shown in the tables on each product page

Standard types of elements are available in stock and at competitive prices.

For special applications, non-standard versions are available with the following options:

  • Dimensions
  • Nominal resistances
  • Temperature coefficients
  • Connection lead lengths
  • Tolerances