Prewired PT100 Sensor, 3 Wire Type
A 3-wire PT100 temperature sensor with a 5mm stainless steel probe in 50, 100 or 200mm lengths and a pre-wired 2m lead, measuring up to 400°C.
Our PT100 sensors are suitable for general industrial use. Fitting is possible into solid bodies (drilled hole) or free air.
They offer reliable and accurate measurement. Installation is simple to achieve, using the M8 threaded end portion to secure the sensor in place. Connections are prewired to U-shaped crimps which can be reterminated as required.
This is a universal product, compatible with any 2 or 3 wire PT100 input — including our own range of PID Temperature Controllers and Electronic Thermostats, as well as third-party PLCs, dataloggers, and general measurement tools.
Select the appropriate probe length from the drop-down box.
Type: PT100 (positive coefficient resistance type)
Operating Temperature: -50~400℃
Probe Diameter: 5mm round probe
Probe Length: 50mm, 100mm, 200mm measuring portion
Cable Internal Insulation: Fibreglass
Features: M8 outer thread, protective spring
Length: 2M overall inc. braided cables
3 Wire PT100 Datasheet Download
Controller Compatibility
| Controller | PT100 | Type K |
|---|---|---|
| Novus N1020-PR | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N1030 / N1030T | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N1040 / N1050 | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N1200-DIO / N1200-HC | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N20K48 | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N322 PT100 | Yes | — |
| Novus N322 / N321 J/K/T | — | Yes |
| Ageon A102 / A103 / H201 | No (NTC only) | No (NTC only) |
Any third-party PLC, datalogger or controller with a 2 or 3 wire PT100 input will also work.
PT100 Sensor FAQs
Q. Can this sensor be used to replace a 2 wire version?
A. Yes, simply do not connect the calibration wire.
Q. What is the purpose of the 3rd wire in a 3 wire PT100 sensor?
A. Long cable lengths will add to the overall resistance and can give an inaccurate reading. The 3rd wire is used to measure the resistance of the leads. This allows for compensation in the final calculation, i.e. greater accuracy.
Q. How can you identify the calibration wire?
A. With a multimeter you will find continuity between two of the cable cores. Either one can be used for calibration.
Q. How do I wire this sensor to a controller?
A. The two blue-crimped leads are linked inside the sensor. Connect the red lead to the controller's single RTD terminal and the two blue leads to its other two PT100 terminals — check the controller manual for terminal numbers. At room temperature, red to blue should read approximately 110 Ω.
Q. Do I need a 2, 3 or 4 wire PT100?
A. A PT100 changes by only 0.385 Ω per °C, so every extra ohm of cable resistance reads about 2.6°C high on a 2 wire connection — a 10m run of 0.5mm² cable adds roughly 2°C. A 3 wire connection cancels this out and is the industrial standard. 4 wire removes lead resistance completely and is mainly used for laboratory-grade accuracy.
Q. What is the standard PT100 colour code?
A. IEC 60751 uses red and white cores, with the two same-coloured wires connected to the same side of the element. This sensor follows the same principle using red and blue crimps.
Q. When are PT100 sensors preferred to thermocouples?
A. PT100 sensors are better for general industrial measurements up to around 500°C, because they offer greater accuracy, long term stability, and noise immunity.
Q. Can PT100 sensor cables be extended?
A. Using the three wire type PT100, it's possible to extend above 100M — use three cores of identical size and length, as 3 wire compensation assumes all legs match. For very long distances over 200M, we recommend one of our temperature transmitters to convert the signal to 4-20mA.
Q. Which controllers is this compatible with?
A. Any device with a 2 or 3 wire PT100 input — see the compatibility table above. Popular pairings include the Novus N1030-PR PID controller and the Novus N322 PT100 thermostat.
Not sure which sensor type you need? Our Temperature Sensors Explained guide compares thermocouples, PT100s and NTCs, with wiring and installation tips.
Industry Applications
- General Industrial Temperature Measurement — accurate readings up to 400°C in solid-body or free-air mounting.
- PID Controller & Thermostat Retrofits — universal PT100 input compatibility across our controller and thermostat ranges.
- Long Cable Runs — 3-wire design compensates for lead resistance over extended distances.