RTD Accuracy and Tolerances

Standard, of-the-shelf, RTDs are not perfectly accurate devices, so you don’t need an equation that fits their characteristic perfectly. RTDs come in two classes of accuracy. Class A devices have a tolerance of ±0.2°C at 0°C increasing linearly to ±1°C at 500°C. Class B devices have a tolerance of ±0.35°C at 0°C increasing linearly to ±2°C at 400°C. See this Excel table of RTD tolerances.

Off-the-shelf RTD tolerances determine the temperature errors you'll see when you replace RTDs. Consequently, their baseline tolerances are often called the interchangeability tolerance. The following chart provides the errors you can expect to see when you interchange RTDs, as a function of temperature and for different RTD standards.

This chart is reproduced from the Omega web site where you can find further technical information on RTDs.

Include a note about the greater accuracy attained if you calibrate after replacing RTDs.

See also → Measuring Temperature