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Temperature Sensors Types: 4 Key Technologies You Must Know

Jun 17, 2025

Why Mastering Temperature Sensors Types Is Crucial

Selecting the right temperature sensor type—thermocouple, RTD, thermistor, or IC sensor—can significantly impact accuracy, reliability, and cost across applications from industrial control to IoT and healthcare. This guide provides deeper insight, backed by performance data and technical recommendations, to ensure you make well-informed decisions that align with your design goals.


Core Analysis: Detailed Comparison of the 4 Main Sensor Types

1. Thermocouples (long-tail: “K‑type thermocouple range accuracy”)

Thermocouples consist of two different metals joined at one end, generating millivoltage via the Seebeck effect

Type Range (°C) Accuracy Sensitivity Best For
K –200 to +1370 ±1.5 °C / 0.4% ~41 µV/°C High-temperature, OEM, and industrial
J –210 to +750 ±1.5 °C Similar to K Reducing atmospheres
T –250 to +400 ±0.5 °C Higher sensitivity Cryogenic applications
B/R/S Up to 1800 °C Stable but low sensitivity ~10 µV/°C Process furnaces, metals industry
Pros: Inexpensive, broad temperature range, fast response.
Cons: Non-linear, cold-junction compensation needed, limited precision (~±1 °C)

2. RTDs (long-tail: “Pt100 RTD accuracy stability”)

RTDs use pure platinum wire/film whose resistance increases with temperature following IEC 60751 standards

Element Type Range (°C) Accuracy (at 0 °C) Notes
Thin-film Pt100 –200 to +600 Class B ±0.3 °C Economical, widely used
Wire-wound Pt100 –200 to +850 Class A ±0.15 °C Higher accuracy, robust in harsh use
Industrial-grade RTD –200 to +600 ±0.1–0.3 °C Focusensing: up to 500 °C with media-grade probes ()

Pros: High linearity, stability, and precision.
Cons: Costlier, slower response, wiring complexity (3/4-wire) needed for high accuracy .

3. Thermistors (long-tail: “NTC thermistor resolution accuracy”)

Thermistors are semiconductors with resistance that strongly depends on temperature—especially NTC types

Property Value
Range –55 to +150 °C (glass up to +250 °C)
Accuracy ±0.1 to ±0.2 °C (room temp)
Resistance change Orders of magnitude (e.g., 10 kΩ ➝ 100 Ω) 
Self-heating High—needs careful current design
Note Use Steinhart–Hart equation for calibration

Pros: High sensitivity, fast response, low cost.
Cons: Non-linear, limited range, self-heating error, fragility .


4. Integrated Circuit (IC) Sensors (long-tail: “MCP9808 accuracy resolution”)

Silicon-based thermometer ICs like DS18B20, TMP36, MCP9808 provide processed outputs

Sensor Range (°C) Accuracy Resolution Interface
DS18B20 –55 to +125 ±0.5 °C 0.0625 °C (1-Wire) Digital (1-wire) ()
TMP36 –40 to +125 ±2 °C Analog output (10 mV/°C)
MCP9808 –40 to +125 ±0.25 °C typ. 0.0625 °C I²C, SMBus
MCP9808 B/O High-end applications ±0.5 °C max. Selectable Digital I²C

Pros: Simple integration, digital output, often built-in alerts.
Cons: Moderate range, need stable power/PCB layout for analog types .


Engineering Toolbox Comparison Table

Attribute Thermocouple RTD Thermistor IC Sensor
Cost Low High Low Low–Mid
Temp Range Very wide Wide Short–Medium Short–Medium
Accuracy Medium High Medium High (IC)
Sensitivity Low Medium Very high Medium
Response Time Fast Medium Fast Medium
Linearity Fair Good Poor Excellent
Stability Fair Good Poor Good
Self-Heating None Low High Low

User Feedback & Real-World Insights

Reddit users highlight:

“The DS18B20 is factory calibrated to ±0.5 °C. If I needed ambient temp I’d trust it 10/10.” 

“I use thermistor + ADS1115 to calibrate probes—super precise meat thermometer without an app.” 

However, users warn of counterfeit DS18B20 units showing up to ±0.9 °C error —quality sourcing is key.


Application Guidance & Focusensing Product Fit

  • Thermocouples: Best for extreme heat or harsh environments. Use K-type, R/S/B for industrial ovens.

  • RTDs: Ideal for precision control. Choose Pt100 wire-wound probes (3/4-wire); Focusensing offers up to 500 °C models.

  • Thermistors: Optimal for fast, narrow-range sensing—HVAC, appliances, battery packs.

  • IC sensors: Pick DS18B20 for easy integration, or premium MCP9808 for high accuracy and alert functions.

Focusensing provides a full sensor lineup + assemblies:

  • Industrial RTD probes (Pt100/1000), high accuracy

  • K/J thermocouples, ruggedized

  • Sealed NTC thermistor probes

  • PCB-mount DS18B20 / digital ICs

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