Sensor Wire

Sensors are devices whose purpose is to detect changes in an environment and send the information to gauges or other electronics, such as a microprocessor, in the form of interpretable electrical signals. Sensors are found in everything from simple touch-sensitive elevator buttons and table lamps to sophisticated industrial applications found in fluid processing, aerospace and automotive industries.

Sensor wire for aircraft instruments
Sensor wire for precision gauges
Sensor wire for automotive instrumentation

With advances in micro-machinery and easy-to-use micro-controller platforms, the uses of sensors have expanded beyond the traditional fields of temperature, pressure or flow measurement, into MARG (Magnetic, Angular Rate, and Gravity) sensors and consist of either solid-state or micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) such gyroscopes, accelerometers and magnetometers which are replacements for traditional mechanical gyroscopic flight instruments.

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One of the most popular sensor applications is the resistance thermometer, also called a resistance temperature detector (RTD). These sensors are used to measure temperature. Many RTD elements consist of a length of fine wire wrapped around a ceramic or glass core but other constructions are also used. The RTD wire is a pure material, typically platinum, nickel, or copper. The material has an accurate resistance/temperature relationship which is used to provide an indication of temperature. As RTD elements are fragile, they are often housed in protective probes. RTDs, which have higher accuracy and repeatability, are slowly replacing thermocouples in industrial applications below 600 °C.

Sensor wire for aircraft instruments
Sensor wire for precision gauges
Sensor wire for automotive instrumentation

Common RTD sensing elements constructed of platinum, copper or nickel have a repeatable resistance versus temperature relationship (R vs T) and operating temperature range. The R vs T relationship is defined as the amount of resistance change of the sensor per degree of temperature change. The relative change in resistance (temperature coefficient of resistance) varies only slightly over the useful range of the sensor.

Platinum was proposed by Sir William Siemens as an element for a resistance temperature detector in 1871. Platinum is a noble metal and has the most stable resistance–temperature relationship over the largest temperature range. Nickel elements have a limited temperature range because the amount of change in resistance per degree of change in temperature becomes very non-linear at temperatures over 300 °C (572 °F). Copper has a very linear resistance–temperature relationship; however, copper oxidizes at moderate temperatures and cannot be used over 150 °C (302 °F). The three main categories of RTD sensors are thin-film, wire-wound, and coiled elements.

Small R&D Quantities for Experimentation

For over five decades, MWS has provided R&D quantities of various alloy and insulation configurations to be tested for a wide variety of applications.

Common Sensor Applications

  • Meters and Monitors
  • Valves
  • Actuators
  • Regulators
  • Quality detectors for Radiation Monitoring
  • Emissions measurement
  • Conditions monitoring
  • Magnetometers
  • Geological meter
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