Scanning for Ideas: Platinum fine-tunes temperature sensor’s accuracy

Sept. 6, 2012
The TS400 and TS500 temperature sensors from Turck, Minneapolis, use platinum-resistance temperature detectors and Pt-100 technology for quick and accurate temperature readings

The TS400 and TS500 temperature sensors from Turck, Minneapolis, use platinum-resistance temperature detectors and Pt-100 technology for quick and accurate temperature readings.

The sensor’s Pt-100 device uses a platinum wire patterned as a thin film so that it undergoes minimal differential expansion. A controller measures changes in the wire’s resistance, which changes with temperature. (The hotter the wire, the higher its resistance becomes.) The sensors are accurate to within 0.4°C at 50°C.

The sensors are built to handle harsh operating environments and are relatively immune to electromagnetic interference. The stainless-steel housing carries an IP67 rating. The sensors can withstand vibrations up to 20g (9 to 2,000Hz) and shocks of 50g. They are also protected against short circuits and reverse polarity.

Technicians can program the sensors using pushbuttons, an LED display, and a simple programming format. Operating range is –58 to 932°F (–50 to 500°C). The units are available with two switch points, an analog current, and voltage outputs. The TS500 probe has a housing and display that can rotate; the TS400’s housing is fixed in place. Both can be directly or remotely mounted.

© 2012 Penton Media, Inc.

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