Pt-100 temperature sensor –

working principle & how to

test.
eblogbd.com
1 min read

P
t-100 or pt100 is one of the most used temperature sensor. It
is one of the most used temperature sensor. Cheap but robust
for use and capable to directly interface with PLC. The use of
pt-100 is limited to below 150°c. And it is not suitable for internal
use, with its hard plastic body as it has own limitation.
pt-100 temperature naming and working
principle:
pt-100 is named as such because platinum is used as the sensing
material and at with perfect calibration it has 100 ohm resistance at
0°c.

For increment or decrement of temperature, the resistance value of

platinum changes linearly.Thus it can be used to identify the
temperature by comparing the resistance value and temperature-
resistance variation log value(provide by manufacturer).

The zero scale for pt-100 is 100 ohm at 0°c. Thus the measuring value
of pt-100 is resistance and for thermocouple temperature sensor
measuring parameter is voltage. With the measuring value matching
by chart the perspective temperature can be found.

In PLC programming for a certain pt-100, the temperature log chart

with resistance is programmed, thus it can be used in automation sys-
tem.
 pt-100 temperature sensor principle

How to test Pt-100 temperature sensor

The checking of pt-100 temperature sensor is a matter of sense. In my
power plant we checked pt-100 temperature, used to find 114ohm to
120ohm for functioning pt-100 (subject to ambient temperature being
30°c – 40°c)and for faulty pt-100 it used to be 0 ohm or infi-
nite(open).

Pt-100 temperature sensors can be tested or checked to see if its

working properly.The testing of Pt-100 requires a resistance meter or
ohmmeter.

Open Pt-100 sensor cover to check:

Test Pt-100 temperature sensor with resistance meter.

Open the cap.

Use multimeter (resistance measurement).Take out one wire from
PT-100 connection box.

Check Pt-100 sensor resistance:

 Check the resistance value of Pt-100 to check / test if its
okay

Connect the multimeter between two connection pins.Measure the

resistance. Compare measured resistance to the values in engine
manual, If the value is not zero or infinite,the sensor is working ok.

Industrial grade pt100 temperature sensor.