Temperature Sensors Go Platinum

OriginallyPublished MPMN September 2004

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Temperature Sensors Go Platinum

Surface-mounted temperature detectors use thin-film technology

Corinne Litchfield

A surface-mount resistance temperature detector (RTD) series developed by Heraeus Sensor Technology (North Brunswick, NJ) is suited for use in biomedical applications. The 0805 RTD provides the stability of a thin-film platinum RTD in a standard surface-mount package. 

Surface-mount thermistors can shift in resistance properties, but the platinum RTDs' resistance remains stable, resulting in high accuracy, according to Bob Gliniecki of the company's U.S. distributor, DWM & Associates. Thin-film resistance elements have a sensitive platinum film deposited onto the ceramic former, thus offering small dimensions and the possibility of high nominal resistances. The small package size provides a fast thermal response time and is suitable for products where space is an issue. Possible biomedical applications include temperature compensation in personal glucose testers, SIDS breathing sensors, and patient temperature monitoring and management. 

Five types of RTD elements are available in the SMD 0805 series. Key operating characteristics of the elements include low drift, long-term stability, and interchangeability. 


DWM & Associates (US distributor for Heraeus Sensor Technology)
1901 Rte. 130 
North Brunswick, NJ 08902 
Phone: 732/940-4400 
Fax: 732/940-4445
E-mail: [email protected] 
URL: www.dwmai.com 

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