New Product | IO-Link Remote RTD Module: Smart solution for industrial temperature control

In industrial automation and process control, temperature monitoring is crucial to ensuring product quality and production efficiency. RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) is a highly accurate temperature sensor that reflects temperature changes through resistance variations and is commonly used in industrial temperature control systems. Based on customer demands for temperature monitoring accuracy and remote management, SENTINEL has launched a new IO-Link remote RTD input module to overcome the limitations of traditional collection methods, enabling customers to achieve more convenient and reliable temperature control management across various application environments.

What is RTD Input

RTD input is a method for feeding temperature data collected by an RTD sensor into a data acquisition module or control system. RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors) measure temperature using the property of conductor resistance changes with temperature, commonly made of platinum. In the industrial field, Pt100 and Pt1000 RTD sensors are two common platinum resistance models, with resistance values of 100 ohms and 1000 ohms at 0°C, respectively. Due to the excellent linear temperature-resistance relationship of platinum resistance, RTD input achieves high-precision, stable temperature measurements and is widely applied in industrial production, automated process control, and equipment condition monitoring.

Customer Pain Points: Challenges of Bridge Circuit Collection Method

In traditional RTD signal collection, bridge circuit collection is a common method. This involves forming a bridge circuit with RTD sensors and other resistance elements, where the output voltage difference changes with the RTD’s resistance due to temperature variations, thus measuring temperature. However, the bridge circuit collection method has some significant drawbacks when applied in industrial environments:

• Susceptibility to Cable Resistance, Limited Measurement Accuracy
  
  The bridge circuit is highly sensitive to cable resistance. Especially in long-distance wiring, fluctuations in cable resistance directly impact measurement accuracy. Cable length, temperature changes, and connection method introduce additional errors, making it difficult to ensure measurement precision and posing potential risks to industrial processes.


• Insufficient Anti-Interference Capability
  
  Electromagnetic interference is prevalent in industrial environments, and bridge circuit signal transmission is easily affected by external disturbances, leading to unstable measurements. In particular, around large equipment or complex electromagnetic environments, measurement errors and fluctuations become more pronounced. Improving anti-interference requires additional filtering and shielding measures, further complicating circuit design.


• Complex Wiring and High Maintenance Costs
  
  The accuracy of the bridge circuit depends on the parameter consistency of each component in the bridge. Therefore, additional precision assurance measures are needed during installation, wiring, and commissioning. Each cable replacement or wiring adjustment can affect measurement accuracy, leading to frequent calibration and debugging, increasing maintenance time and equipment downtime.

To address these pain points, SENTINEL has introduced a new IO-Link remote RTD input module, providing a smart solution for industrial temperature control. This module simplifies installation and maintenance processes while improving temperature monitoring stability.

SENTINEL IO-Link Remote RTD Input Module

This IO-Link remote RTD input module meets high-precision temperature collection needs and achieves intelligent remote management through the IO-Link protocol, featuring the following characteristics:

• Based on IO-Link V1.1 Protocol, Efficient Data Transmission
  
  The module supports the IO-Link V1.1 protocol, with a transmission rate of COM2 (38.4kbit/s), facilitating integration with existing industrial control systems. The IO-Link protocol enhances anti-interference capability, ensuring reliable data transmission and real-time monitoring in complex environments to suit various industrial application scenarios.


• Multi-Channel High-Precision Temperature Input
  
  This module supports eight Pt100 RTD input channels, with a measurement range from -200°C to 600°C and an input accuracy of ±0.5°C. The module is compatible with two-wire, three-wire, and four-wire RTD wiring configurations, providing stable data output even in harsh environments to meet diverse measurement needs.


• Durable Design
  
  Designed for rigorous industrial applications, the module casing is made of fiberglass, and the electronics are fully encapsulated in epoxy resin, achieving an IP67 protection rating. It operates in temperatures from -20°C to 55°C, ensuring stable performance in various environments.


• Status Indicator Design for Simplified Maintenance
  
  The module is equipped with power, communication, and signal status indicators, allowing real-time monitoring of device status. These indicators aid technicians in quickly identifying issues during installation and maintenance, enhancing on-site operation efficiency.

Conclusion

SENTINEL’s IO-Link remote RTD input module, with its intelligent IO-Link protocol, reliable anti-interference capability, and high-precision temperature control measurement, addresses technical challenges in traditional collection methods. Its design improves industrial temperature control accuracy, simplifies installation and maintenance, and provides a robust choice for temperature control in industrial automation. In the future, SENTINEL will continue to focus on customer needs, consistently optimizing and innovating, contributing more intelligent and data-driven solutions to the development of Industry 4.0.

Customer Support and Service

For more information about SENTINEL products, please contact sales personnel or call us at 022-83726972. You may also visit SENTINEL's official website at www.sentinel-china.com. The website provides comprehensive product information, selection guides, CAD and Eplan files, as well as configuration files and tutorials, ensuring users have easy access to all required information.

Our professional technical team is ready to provide customized customer support and efficient after-sales service, ensuring every user’s interests are maximized.