Resources & technical guidance

Choosing between a 2-wire, 3-wire, or 4-wire PT100 temperature sensor depends on the required measurement accuracy, cable length, wiring method, measurement system, and application. All three configurations use the same PT100 sensing principle, but the number of wires affects how lead-wire resistance influences the temperature measurement. 2-Wire PT100 A 2-wire PT100 uses two wires to connect the platinum RTD element to the measuring instrument. It has the simplest construction and is generally the most cost-effective option. However, the resistance of the connecting wires is included in the measurement. As cable length increases, this additional resistance can cause a measurement error. A 2-wire PT100 is therefore more suitable for shorter cable connections or applications where a small measurement error is acceptable. 3-Wire PT100 A 3-wire PT100 uses three wires to reduce the influence of lead-wire resistance. It is one of the most common configurations for industrial RTD temperature measurement. When the connecting wires have similar electrical characteristics, the measurement system can compensate for much of the lead-wire resistance. This provides better accuracy than a 2-wire PT100 while maintaining a relatively simple and cost-effective sensor design. 4-Wire PT100 A 4-wire PT100 uses two wires to supply the measurement current and two separate wires to measure the voltage across the RTD element. This configuration minimizes the influence of lead-wire resistance. A 4-wire PT100 is therefore commonly selected for high-accuracy temperature measurement, laboratory equipment, calibration systems, and applications where measurement precision is critical. 2-Wire vs 3-Wire vs 4-Wire PT100 The main difference is how each configuration handles lead-wire resistance. 2-wire PT100: Simple and economical, but lead resistance affects measurement accuracy. 3-wire PT100: Compensates for much of the lead resistance and is widely used in industrial applications. 4-wire PT100: Provides the highest measurement accuracy by minimizing the effect of lead-wire resistance. PT100 Accuracy and Cable Length The longer the cable between the PT100 sensor and measuring instrument, the more important lead-wire resistance becomes. For longer cable installations or higher accuracy requirements, a 3-wire or 4-wire configuration may be preferable. However, the actual measurement accuracy also depends on the RTD class, cable resistance, measuring electronics, calibration, temperature range, and installation conditions. Which PT100 Wiring Should You Choose? Choose a 2-wire PT100 when simplicity and cost are priorities and the cable-related measurement error is acceptable. Choose a 3-wire PT100 for most industrial temperature measurement applications where a good balance between accuracy, cost, and wiring complexity is required. Choose a 4-wire PT100 when the highest measurement accuracy is required, particularly for laboratory, calibration, and precision measurement applications. PT100 OEM Sensor Customization PT100 temperature sensors can be customized with 2-wire, 3-wire, or 4-wire configurations according to the requirements of the control system. Probe length, diameter, SS304 or SS316 housing, cable material, cable length, connector, mounting thread, and accuracy class can also be customized. Selecting the correct PT100 wiring configuration helps minimize measurement errors and ensures compatibility with the temperature measurement system.

PT100 and PT1000 are two widely used platinum RTD temperature sensors for accurate and stable temperature measurement. Both are based on the resistance change of platinum with temperature, but the main difference is their nominal resistance at 0°C. PT100 vs PT1000: Key Difference A PT100 sensor has a nominal resistance of 100 ohms at 0°C, while a PT1000 sensor has a nominal resistance of 1000 ohms at 0°C. Both commonly follow the IEC 60751 standard and provide reliable temperature measurement over a wide temperature range. Because PT1000 has a higher resistance, the effect of lead-wire resistance is relatively smaller. This can make PT1000 sensors a good choice for applications where the sensor cable is relatively long or where higher resistance sensitivity is preferred. PT100 Temperature Sensor PT100 is one of the most common RTD temperature sensors used in industrial temperature measurement. It is widely used in industrial equipment, HVAC systems, process control, laboratory equipment, and machinery. PT100 probes are available with 2-wire, 3-wire, and 4-wire configurations. A 3-wire PT100 is widely used in industrial applications because it can compensate for lead-wire resistance while maintaining a practical system cost. PT1000 Temperature Sensor PT1000 provides a nominal resistance of 1000 ohms at 0°C. Its higher resistance reduces the relative influence of cable resistance compared with PT100. PT1000 temperature sensors are commonly used in HVAC, building automation, energy management, industrial control, and other applications requiring stable and accurate temperature measurement. PT100 vs PT1000: Which One Should You Choose? The choice between PT100 and PT1000 depends mainly on the measurement system, cable length, controller compatibility, and application requirements. Choose PT100 when the control system is specifically designed for PT100, or when PT100 is already widely used in the existing equipment. Choose PT1000 when the system supports PT1000 and you want to reduce the relative influence of lead-wire resistance, especially with longer sensor cables. Both PT100 and PT1000 can provide excellent accuracy and long-term stability when properly designed and matched with the appropriate temperature transmitter, controller, or measuring instrument. Custom PT100 and PT1000 Temperature Sensors As a temperature sensor manufacturer, we can provide customized PT100 and PT1000 temperature probes for different applications. Options include stainless steel probes, threaded probes, spring-loaded RTD sensors, waterproof probes, cable assemblies, and customized connectors. Cable material, probe diameter, probe length, wiring configuration, connector, temperature range, and installation method can be customized according to your requirements. If you are looking for a reliable PT100 or PT1000 temperature sensor, choosing the correct RTD type and mechanical design is essential for accurate and stable temperature measurement.