Resistance thermometers, also called
resistance temperature detectors , are sensors
used to measure temperature by correlating the resistance of the RTD
element with temperature. Most RTD elements consist of a length of fine
coiled wire wrapped around a ceramic or glass core. The element is
usually quite fragile, so it is often placed inside a sheathed probe to
protect it. The RTD element is made from a pure material, typically
platinum, nickel or copper. The material has a predictable change in
resistance as the temperature changes and it is this predictable change
that is used to determine temperature.
They are slowly replacing the use of thermocouples in many industrial applications below 600 °C, due to higher accuracy and repeatability
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