Formula of 2 Wire RTD, 3 Wire RTD & 4 Wire RTD

by Editorial Staff

2 Wire RTD :

where

Rpt is Resistance of RTD

R2 is Resistance of first lead wire (Extension cable used to connect RTD)
R3 is Resistance of second lead wire (Extension cable used to connect RTD)
L2 & L3 are extension cable leads

The wire resistances R2 and R3 are inevitably included in the measured value. Wire resistance can be
cancelled by calibration, but just at one specific temperature of the wire (often room temperature).

Also Read : Difference Between 2 wire RTD, 3 wire RTD, & 4 wire RTD

3 Wire RTD :

where

Rpt is Resistance of RTD

R1 is Resistance of first lead wire (Extension cable used to connect RTD)
R2 is Resistance of second lead wire (Extension cable used to connect RTD)
R3 is Resistance of third lead wire (Extension cable used to connect RTD)
L1, L2 & L3 are extension cable leads
Ω1 is the total resistance between lead wires L2 & L3
Ω2 is the total resistance between lead wires L1 & L2
If and only if the wire resistances R1 and R3 are equal you measure the true Pt100 resistance. As the wire L2
also is coloured red (and hard to follow) you have to keep all the wire resistances R1, R2 and R3 equal.

Also Read : Difference Between RTD, Thermocouple & Thermistor

4 Wire RTD :

Full Article : How a 4 wire RTD Works ?

The current source will maintain the excitation current constantly (0.1 – 1 mA). Following the Law of Ohm, R =
U / I, the resistance can be calculated. The digital volt meter, DVM, has an input impedance of at least 10
Mohms.

Thus just an extremely small current will pass through the DVM which means that the voltage drops over the
wire resistances R2 and R3 will be practically none.