TFPS-Series

Supported Applications

The Omega TFPS-Series Thin Film Point Sensitive RTD Sensor series provides point-sensitive thermal ribbons designed for non-invasive temperature monitoring. The product overview identifies specific application areas including aerospace, medical devices, and industrial equipment where accurate point sensing and fast response are required.

Operating Conditions & Performance

The TFPS-Series supports a broad operating envelope depending on the selected model and insulation material. Temperature ranges span from -50 to 155°C (-58 to 311°F) for silicone rubber/foil backing models up to -50 to 260°C (-58 to 500°F) for polyimide film variants. Thermocouple-based configurations (TFPS-TC-P4) extend the lower limit to -200°C, covering a range of -200 to 220°C (-328 to 392°F). Response times vary by construction, with time constants ranging from 0.4 sec for TFPS-R-PF0 models to 1.3 sec for silicone rubber/foil backing versions.

Accuracy specifications are defined by the sensor element type:

• RTD Elements (PD, PF): Platinum with 0.00385 TCR, rated at ±0.12% at 0°C per EN60751 Class B.
• Thermocouple Elements: Type J and K offer ±2.2°C or 0.75% of reading (whichever is greater); Type T offers ±1.0°C or 0.75% of reading.
• Thermistor Elements: NTC types TF (50kΩ) and TK (10kΩ) are rated at ±1% at 25°C.

The series features waterproof constructions suitable for continuous immersion. Lead wires utilize standard PFA or silicone rubber insulation, with options for stainless steel braid over lead wires.

Configuration Options

The TFPS-Series is configurable across multiple dimensions to meet specific installation requirements:

• Sensor Elements: Available as Thin Film RTD (Platinum), Thermocouple (Types J, K, T), or NTC Thermistor.
• Insulation Materials: Options include Polyimide with elastomer cover coat, bare Polyimide film, and Silicone rubber/foil backing. Specific models such as TFPS-R-PF0 utilize polyimide film for higher temperature limits up to 260°C.
• Mounting & Adhesive: Sensors feature surface or pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) mounting. The model number suffix "-P" indicates the inclusion of adhesive backing; models without this suffix are supplied without adhesive.
• Electrical Connections: Configurable as lead wire versions with AWG 22, 24, or 26 conductors, or solder pad versions. Lead lengths include standard options of 12, 36, 40, 120, and 144 inches (with a maximum of 60" on PE and SRE models).
• Wire Configuration: RTD elements are available in 2, 3, or 4-wire configurations. Thermocouple and thermistor variants are inherently 2-wire.

Key Product Differences

The series distinguishes between three primary sensor families based on the measurement technology:

• TFPS-R (RTD): Utilizes Platinum elements with resistances of 100 Ω, 1000 Ω, or 10,000 Ω. These models support EN60751 Class B accuracy and are available in various polyimide and silicone rubber insulation styles.
• TFPS-TC (Thermocouple): Designed for fast response surface sensing using Type J, K, or T elements. The physical dimensions for this family differ from the RTD line, measuring 0.75 x 0.75 x 0.065" (19.1 x 19.1 x 1.7 mm).
• TFPS-Th (Thermistor): Employs NTC elements for applications requiring high sensitivity to small temperature changes, available in 50kΩ or 10kΩ resistances.

Different insulation materials dictate the maximum operating temperature and physical thickness. For example, TFPS-R-PF4 models with polyimide film measure 0.30 x 0.60 x 0.10" (7 x 15 x 2.5 mm), while TFPS-R-SRE models using silicone rubber/foil backing are thicker at 0.20 x 0.60 x 0.12" (5 x 15 x 3 mm).