Comparison of Widely Used Temperature Sensing Technologies

Comparison of Widely Used Temperature Sensing Technologies

SENSOR TYPE	NTC THERMISTOR	RTD	THERMO- COUPLE	I.C. SENSOR
PARAMETER	Resistance vs. Temperature	Resistance vs. Temperature	Voltage vs. Temperature	Voltage or Current vs. Temperature
ADVANTAGES	Large Change in Resistance vs. Temperature Fast Time Response High Resistance Eliminates the Need for Four Wire Measurement Small Size Inexpensive High Stability Interchangeable to Tight Tolerance	Linear High Stability Wide Operating Temperature Range Interchangeable Over Wide Temperature Range	Wide Operating Temperature Range Simple Inexpensive Rugged No External Power Supply Requred	Linear High Output vs. Temperature Inexpensive
DISADVANTAGES	Non-Linear Operating Temperature Limited to Approximately -60 to +300 Degrees Celsius Interchangeable Over Relatively Narrow Temperature Ranges Current Source Required	Small Change in Resistance vs. Temperature Relatively Slow Time REsponse Low Resistance Requires Three or Four Wire Measurement Sensitive to Shock and Vibration Current Source Required Expensive	Non-Linear Relatively Low Stability Low Sensitivity Low Voltage Output Can Be Affected By RFI and EMI Reference Junction Compensation Required	Limited Operating Temperature Range Current Source Required Subject to Self-Heating Limited Configurations

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