RTD Sensors versus TC Series

Characteristic	Thermocouple (T/C)	Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)
Measurement Range	Wide, -250°C to +2600°C	Narrower, -200°C to +850°C, often limited to a lower temperature by its insulation.
Output Signal	Voltage wrt difference in end-to-end temperature	Resistance change wrt actual temperature
Accuracy	Less accurate, 2-4°C typical	More accurate, up to 1°C typical
Long Term Stability	Fair, limited to shorter periods	Good, stable over long periods
Stability/Drift	Good, but more subject to drift	Excellent, better long-term stability
Sensitivity	Lower	Higher sensitivity
Interchangeability	Good	Excellent
Linearity	Fair linearity, special linearization generally required.	Better linearity, special linearization still required, but to a lesser degree
Self-Heating Error	No self-heating error	Some self-heating error, but low
Extension Cable	High effect, must match T/C type and is more expensive	Lower effect, can use different material, but ultimately limited by lead wire resistance
Response Time	Fast (≤ 0.1 seconds typical), but CJC has thermal lag	Slower (1 to 7 seconds typical)
Repeatability	Reasonable	Better & greater standardization
Hysteresis	Excellent	Good
Signal Strength	Low, prone to EMI	Higher, more EMI resistant
Vibration/Shock Resistance	Good resistance	Less resistant than T/C
Robustness/Ruggedness	Very good	Good
Sensor Dimensions	Very small to very large	Small to medium
Measurement Area	Small, single point-of-contact	Larger, whole element must contact, 1” typical
Fine Wire Diameter	Small down to 0.25mm diameter	Larger up to 3mm diameter
Reference Junction	Required and a significant source of measurement error. Usually requires a stable ambient at cold junction.	Not required and not a source of error
Excitation Required	Not required, self-powered	Yes, reference voltage or current source
Lead-Wire Resistance	High, but often mitigated by mating technology	Must be considered wrt maximum added resistance and potential resistive imbalance between leads
Cost	Less expensive	More expensive
Complexity	Very simple and less subject to mechanical stress	Physically larger and has a more complex construction making it more subject to mechanical stress
Calibration Ease	More difficult and adds CJC calibration	Less difficult, no CJC to contend with
Noise Immunity	Lower noise immunity but often mitigated by good wiring practice. Small signals and high impedance leads can easily pick up noise.	Better noise immunity than a T/C

Nordson compatible heated hose are using both sensors as follows;

	Nordson® RTD Series Heated Hoses	Nordson® TC Series Heated Hoses
Maximum Operating Temperature (°C )	232°C	232°C
Maximum Hydraulic Pressure (psi)	1000 psi	1500 psi
Electrical Service	120 VAC, 200 VAC, 240 VAC	200 VAC, 230 VAC
Avaliable Lenghts	up to 20 meter	up to 13 meter