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Industrial Temperature Sensors for Reliable Process Control

Reliable temperature measurement is essential wherever process stability, equipment protection and consistent operating conditions depend on accurate data. Industrial temperature sensors must therefore match more than a nominal measuring range. The sensor design, output signal, material, process connection, installation length, electrical interface and required approvals all influence whether a device will perform reliably in the application.

PRIGNITZ Mikrosystemtechnik offers three main temperature sensor concepts: standard temperature transmitters with integrated signal conditioning, compact resistive temperature sensors and intrinsically safe transmitters for hazardous areas. The portfolio is designed for demanding industrial applications and includes configurations for hydrogen systems

Right Industrial Temperature Sensor Matters

A temperature sensor is part of the measurement chain between the process and the control system. Selecting an unsuitable configuration can create installation difficulties, signal compatibility problems or measurement limitations.

The selection process should begin with the actual process requirements. These include the minimum and maximum media temperature, static pressure, required accuracy, sensor insertion length, available installation space and compatibility of wetted materials.

The control architecture also matters. Some systems require a standardized 4-20 mA output, while others can evaluate a direct Pt100 resistance signal. PRIGNITZ Mikrosystemtechnik offers both concepts within its temperature sensor portfolio.

Three Temperature Sensor Designs for Different Applications

Standard Temperature Sensors with Integrated Transmitters

The PMT-S111 family combines a Pt100 measuring element with an integrated signal transmitter. It is designed for industrial temperature measurement across a media temperature range from -40 to 200 °C.

Depending on the selected configuration, available outputs include 4-20 mA, voltage signals and ratiometric signals. An integrated transmitter is particularly useful when the sensor must connect directly to an industrial control or monitoring system.

The PMT-S111 uses stainless steel construction and supports static pressures up to 160 bar. Temperature tip lengths from 10 to 500 mm are available. Different process connections and electrical interfaces allow the sensor to be adapted to the installation and control architecture.

Hydrogen-compatible PMT-S111-H variants are available for temperature measurement in fuel cells, gas technology and other hydrogen applications. The hydrogen version also covers a media temperature range from -40 to 200 °C.

Compact Temperature Sensors for Space-Limited Installations

The PMT-C111 is a compact temperature sensor without an integrated transmitter. It provides a direct resistive Pt100 output and is intended for installations where available space is limited or where the connected control unit already performs Pt100 signal evaluation.

The dedicated PMT-C111 technical documentation specifies a measuring range from -50 to 150 °C, a Pt100 class B measuring element and a two-wire configuration. The stainless steel design supports static pressures up to 160 bar.

Temperature tip lengths between 10 and 500 mm, together with several process and electrical connection options, allow the sensor to be adapted to different machine and system layouts.

A hydrogen-compatible PMT-C111-H version is also available for compact temperature measurement in hydrogen applications. It uses stainless steel 316L for the wetted parts and covers temperatures from -50 to 150 °C.

Intrinsically Safe Temperature Sensors for Hazardous Areas

Processes involving flammable gases, vapours or potentially explosive atmospheres require equipment designed for the relevant hazardous-area classification.

The PMT-S111-Exi family consists of intrinsically safe temperature transmitters. Intrinsically safe means that the electrical energy available in the measuring circuit is limited to reduce the risk of ignition under the specified operating conditions.

The PMT-S111-Exi covers media temperatures from -40 to 200 °C and is available with ATEX and CSA approvals for defined hazardous-area applications. The product documentation includes the ATEX marking II 2G Ex ia IIC T3 Gb.

Hydrogen-compatible PMT-S111-Exi variants are available for applications that combine hazardous-area requirements with hydrogen service.

Certification must always be evaluated together with the complete sensor configuration, electrical circuit, ambient temperature and installation conditions. The PMT-S111-Exi documentation specifies an ambient temperature range from -40 to 85 °C for the certified configuration.

Key Parameters When Selecting an Industrial Temperature Sensor

Measuring Range

The sensor must cover both normal operating temperatures and foreseeable process deviations. The PRIGNITZ Mikrosystemtechnik portfolio includes model-specific ranges from -50 to 200 °C.

The PMT-S111 and PMT-S111-Exi families cover media temperatures from -40 to 200 °C. The PMT-C111 compact sensor covers temperatures from -50 to 150 °C.

Output Signal

A 4-20 mA transmitter is commonly used when a robust industrial signal must be transmitted to a controller, programmable logic controller or monitoring system.

A direct Pt100 resistance output is suitable when the connected control unit already supports resistance temperature measurement. Voltage and ratiometric outputs can also be configured for specific system architectures.

Materials and Process Conditions

PRIGNITZ Mikrosystemtechnik temperature sensors use stainless steel construction, including stainless steel 316L for relevant models and wetted parts.

The sensor material must always be evaluated against the process medium, operating pressure, temperature and cleaning conditions. The available models are designed for use with different liquids and gases, including neutral and aggressive media, subject to application-specific compatibility verification.

Sensor Length and Connections

The temperature tip length determines how far the measuring element reaches into the process. Available configurations include lengths from 10 to 500 mm.

Depending on the selected family, electrical connection concepts include M12x1, EN 175 301-803, Deutsch DT04, Packard Metri-Pack and cable outlets. Process connections include several threaded options, with additional or customized connections available on request.

Configurable Temperature Sensor Solutions

Industrial applications frequently require more than a catalogue-standard sensor. Different insertion lengths, output signals, process connections, electrical interfaces and temperature ranges may be needed to fit the mechanical design and control system.

PRIGNITZ Mikrosystemtechnik develops configurable temperature sensor solutions based on standard product families. The configurations shown in the product booklet represent selected examples rather than the complete portfolio. Final ordering data should therefore be confirmed in the relevant product datasheet or directly with PRIGNITZ Mikrosystemtechnik

Choosing the Right Sensor Family

A standard temperature transmitter is the appropriate starting point when an industrial output signal and integrated signal conditioning are required.

A compact Pt100 sensor is suitable where installation space is limited and direct resistance measurement is supported by the control system.

An intrinsically safe temperature transmitter is required when the installation must comply with defined hazardous-area conditions.

By matching the sensor family to the temperature range, signal architecture, medium, static pressure, installation dimensions and certification requirements, system designers can select a temperature measurement solution suited to the operating conditions.

PRIGNITZ Mikrosystemtechnik supports the configuration of industrial temperature sensors for standard industrial processes, compact installations, hazardous areas and hydrogen applications.