Nickel Temperature Sensors
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General Information
In many industrial sectors and fields of research, temperature measurement is one of the most important
parameters which determines product quality, security, and reliability. Temperature sensors are available in
several types all of which have a unique performance characteristic. The performance capability of the various
sensors are a result of the manufacturing process and component materials associated with their technologies
and intended application. It is IST Charter to produce sensors that exceed the industry standard of temperature
measurement with additional capability to directly replace older traditional methods and provide the maximum
performance. To this end IST has concentrated its development and manufacturing on the process and materials
of high-end thin-film temperature sensors. Additionally these processes, partially derived from the semiconductor
industry allows IST to manufacture sensors in very small dimensions. Because of their low thermic mass thin-film
temperature sensors exhibit a very short response time. IST core technology and processes results in thin-film
sensors that combine the good features of traditional wire wound nickel sensors such as accuracy, long-term
stability, repeatability, interchangeability and wide temperature range, with the advantages of mass-production,
which contributes to their optimal price/performance ratio.
Sensor Construction
The temperature sensor consists of a photo-lithographically structured, high-purity nickel coating arranged in the
shape of a meander. The nickel thin-film structures are laser trimmed to form resistive paths with very precisely
defined basic value of the resistivity. The sensors are covered with a dielectric layer to protect the sensor against
mechanical and chemical damage. The bonded leads, which are additionally fixed with a sealing compound,
provide the electrical contact to the resistive path.
Typical Features
– brief response time
– excellent long-term stability
– low self-heating rate
– simple interchangeability
– small dimensions
– simple linearisation
– resistant against vibration and temperature shocks
Response Time
The response time T
0.63
is the time in seconds the sensors need to respond to 63% of the change in temperature.
The response time depends on the sensor dimensions.
Long-Term Stability
The change of ohmage after 1,000 hrs at maximum operating temperature amounts to less than 0.1%.
Self Heating
To measure the resistance an electric current has to flow through the element, which will generate heat energy
resulting in errors of measurement. To minimize the error the testing current should be kept low (approximately 1
2
mA for Ni-1000). Temperature error
∆T
= RI / E; with E = self-heating coefficient in mW/K R = resistance in kΩ, I
= measuring current in mA
Nominal Values
The nominal value of the sensor is the target value of the sensor resistance at 0° C. The temperature coefficient
α
-1
-1
is defined as
α
=
R
100
- R
0
[K ] and has the numerical value of 0.00618 K for the sensors which comply the old
norm DIN 43760.
100 · R
0
In practice, a value multiplied by 10 is often entered: TCR = 10 *
In this case, the numerical value is 6180 ppm/K.
6
6
R
100
- R
0
100 · R
0
[ppm/K].
Nickel Temperature Sensors
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Measurement current
Measuring current heats the nickel thin-film sensor. The resulting temperature error is given by:
∆T
= P/E with P,
the power loss = I²R and E, the self heating coefficient in mW/K.
The amount of thermal transfer from the sensor in application determines how much measuring current can be
applied. There is no bottom limit of the measurement current with nickel thin film. The measurement current
depend highly on the application in use.
We recommend at:
100
Ω:
typ.
500
Ω:
typ.
1000
Ω:
typ.
2000
Ω:
typ.
10000
Ω:
typ.
1 mA
0.5 mA
0.3 mA
0.2 mA
0.1 mA
max.
max.
max.
max.
max.
5 mA
3 mA
2 mA
1 mA
0.3 mA
Temperatur Characteristic Curve
After DIN 43760 the Temperature Characteristic Curve is defined with a
Polynomal of the 6th order:
R(t) = R
0
(1 + A * t + B * t + C * t + D * t + E * t + F * t )
2
3
Δt
[K]
B
2
3
4
5
6
Coefficient for
Nickel NL (5000 ppm/K):
-3
-1
-6
-2
A = 4.427 * 10 [°C ]; B = 5.172 * 10 [°C ];
-9
-3
C = 5.585 * 10 [°C ]; D = E = F = O
Nickel ND (6180 ppm/K):
A = 5.485 * 10
-3
[°C
-1
]; B = 6.65 * 10
-6
[°C
-2
]; C = 0;
-11
-4
-17
-6
D = 2.805 * 10 [°C ]; E = O ; F = -2 * 10 [°C ]
Nickel NJ (6370)
-3
-1
-6
-2
A = 5.64742 * 10 [°C ]; B = 6.69504 * 10 [°C ];
-9
-3
C = 5.68816 * 10 [°C ]; D = E = F = 0
Nickel NA (6720)
-3
-1
-6
-2
A = 5.88025 * 10 [°C ]; B = 8.28385 * 10 [°C ]; C = 0;
-12
-4
-16
-6
D = 7.67175 * 10 [°C ]; E = O ; F = -1.5 * 10 [°C ]
R
0
= Nominal Resistance in Ohm at 0°C;
t = Temperature at ITS 90
A
1
t [°C]
0
-100
0
100
200
300
Tolerance field
Tolerance classes
Class
DIN 43760
½ DIN 43760
+/- limit deviations in ºC (K)
t<0°C
0.4 + 0.028 x |T|
0.2 + 0.014 x |T|
t>0°C
0.4 + 0.007 x |T|
0.2 + 0.0035 x |T|
IST AG designation
B
A
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Response Time and Self Heating
Dimension
Number
Sensor Size
L x W x T / H mm
Response Time in seconds
Water
V=0.4 m/s
T
0.5
T
0.63
T
0.9
T
0.5
Air
V=1m/s
T
0.63
T
0.9
Self Heating
Water
v=0 m/s
Air
V=0 m/s
mW/K
∆T[mK]*
mW/K
∆T[mK]*
40
40
90
80
80
90
140
140
150
55
38
2.3
2.3
1
1.1
1.1
1
0.6
0.6
0.6
1.8
2.6
4
4
8
7
7
8
10
10
11
7
4
22.5
22.5
11.3
12.9
12.9
11.3
9
9
0.6
14.3
25
232
2.3 x 2.0 x 0.25 / 0.8 0.09 0.12 0.33 2.7 3.6
7.5
232
2.3 x 2.0 x 0.65 / 1.3 0.15 0.2 0.55 4.5
6
12
325
3.0 x 2.5 x 0.65 / 1.3 0.25 0.3 0.7 5.5 7.5
16
516
5.0 x 1.6 x 0.65 / 1.3 0.25 0.3 0.7 5.5 7.5
16
520
5.0 x 2.0 x 0.65 / 1.3 0.25 0.3 0.75 6
8.5
18
525
5.0 x 2.5 x 0.65 / 1.3 0.33 0.4 0.85 6.5
9
19
102
10.0 x 2.0 x 0.65 / 1.3 0.33 0.4 0.85 7.5 10.5
20
538
5.0 x 3.8 x 0.65 / 1.3 0.35 0.4 0.9 7.5
10
20
505
5.0 x 5.0 x 0.65 / 1.3 0.4 0.5 1.1 8
11
21
SMD 1206
3.2 x 1.6 x 0.4
0.15 0.25 0.45 3.5 4.2
10
SMD 0805
2.0 x 1.2 x 0.4
0.10 0.12 0.33 2.5
3
8
*self heating
∆T[mK]
measured for Ni1000 at 0.3mA measurement current at 0°C
Tolerances of Dimensions
Sensor width (W) ± 0.2 mm
Sensor length (L) ± 0.2 mm
Sensor height (H) ± 0.2 mm
Sensor thickness (T) ± 0.1 mm
Wire length ± 1.0 mm
Tube length ± 0.2 mm
Tube diameter ± 0.1 mm
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1P - Product Series
Temperature Range: –60°C .. +150°C
Temperature sensors in SMD constructions, TCR 6180 ppm/K, other curves on request
Soldering depot, RoHs conform (reflow soderable)
Technical Data
Temperature range:
Soldering connection:
-50°C to +150°C (1P, 2P)
Contacts:
1P = Contacts tin coated (62Sn/36Pb/2Ag), LMP lead contained
2P = Contacts tin coated (96.5Sn/3Ag/0.5Cu), LMP lead free, RoHS conform
- The soldering process might lead to changed resistance values, therefore
the original DIN class can not be guaranteed.
- bondable contacts without bumps available on request.
235°C
≤
8s (DIN IEC 68 2-20, Ta Meth 1)
260°C 10x (DIN IEC 68 2-20, Ta Meth. 1A)
Solderability:
Resistance to soldering heat:
Dimensions
in mm
Nominal resistance at 0°C
in Ohm
Description
100
500
1000
Nx0K1.0805.xP.x
Nx0K5.0805.xP.x
Nx1K0.0805.xP.x
100
500
1000
Nx0K1.1206.xP.x
Nx0K5.1206.xP.x
Nx1K0.1206.xP.x
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1S - Product Series
Temperature Range: –60°C
.. +150°C
Temperature sensors with SIL-Contacts (solderable, crimpable)
Dimensions
in mm
Nominal resistance at 0°C
in Ohm
Description
100
500
1000
Nx0K1.325.1S.x
Nx0K5.325.1S.x
Nx1K0.325.1S.x
100
500
1000
10000
Nx0K1.525.1S.x
Nx0K5.525.1S.x
Nx1K0.525.1S.x
Nx10K.525.1S.x
100
500
1000
Nx0K1.538.1S.x
Nx0K5.538.1S.x
Nx1K0.538.1S.x
100
500
1000
Nx0K1.505.1S.x
Nx0K5.505.1S.x
Nx1K0.505.1S.x