For the CNR 1, what is the ideal constant current source for the PT-100?
There is no general value to use but some criteria to keep in mind to select a Pt-100 current. Because the Pt-100 (unlike a thermocouple) needs current, it is advised to keep this current as low as possible to avoid self-heating of the Pt-100 by its own current. The Pt-100 measuring device (like our data loggers CC 48, CR10X) has a fixed current, in such a way that the voltage over the Pt-100 is matched with the Pt-100 (voltage) measuring input of these loggers. In general the current for a Pt-100 is indeed between 0.1 and 1 mA. This would result (@ 0ºC) in a voltage over the Pt-100 of 10 mV or 100 mV. Therefore the current can also be selected depending on the available input range of the measuring device. The error introduced by self-heating, when using a 1 mA current, is quite low (< 0.2ºC) also because the Pt-100 is very well connected to the body of the CNR1. When the heater of the CNR1 is on, the error introduced by the heater in measuring the body temperature is typical 2ºC (see
