An RT thermostat is fitted with
a single-pole changeover switch.
The position of the contacts depends on the bulb
temperature and the set scale value.
The RT series includes thermostats for general
applications within industrial and marine
refrigeration.
The RT series also includes differential
thermostats, thermostats for neutral zone
regulation and special thermostats with
gold-plated contact surface for PLC applications.
Features• Waterproof versions, enclosure IP66
• Wide regulating range
• Wide range of units for industrial
and marine applications
• Suitable for alternating and direct current
• Interchangeable contact system
• Special versions for PLC applications
• Safety Integrity Level:
SIL 2 according to IEC 61508
Single-pole changeover switch
with gold plated (oxide-free)
contact surfaces.
Standard
SPDT
Man.
reset
SPDT
Neutral
zone
SPDT
Man.
reset
SPDT
Increases cut-in reliability on alarm
and monitoring systems, etc.
Snap action changeover contacts.
Terminal board proof against
leakage current.
Single-pole changeover switch
with gold plated (oxide-free)
contact surfaces.
Increases cut-in reliability on alarm
and monitoring systems, etc.
Snap action changeover contacts.
Terminal board proof against
leakage current.
Single-pole changeover switch
with dead zone and gold plated
(oxide-free) contact surfaces.
Increase cut-in reliability on alarm
and monitoring systems, etc.
Snap action changeover contacts.
Terminal board proof against
leakage current.
Single-pole changeover switch
with gold plated (oxide-free)
contact surfaces.
Increases cut-in reliability on alarm
and monitoring systems, etc.
Snap action changeover contacts.
Terminal board proof against
leakage current.
Alternating
current
Ohmic:
AC 1 = 10 A, 400 V
Inductive:
AC 3 = 2 A, 400 V
AC 15 = 1 A, 400 V
Dir. current:
DC 13 = 12 W, 220 V
Auto 017-424066
Max. 017-404866
Available
only as a
component
–
part of RT
controls with
adjustable
neutral zone
Min. 017-40 4766
Alternating current
Single-pole changeover
Cuts in two
circuits
simultaneously
SPST
With
non-snap
action
change- over
contacts
1
) If current is led through contacts 2 – 4, i.e. terminals 2 – 4 connected but not 1, max. permissible load is increased
to 90 W, 220 V.
SPDT
The switches are shown in the position they
assume on falling temperature, i.e. after
downward movement of the RT main spindle.
The setting pointer of the control shows the scale
switch that cuts in two circuits
simultaneously on rising
temperature. Snap action
changeover contacts. Terminal
board proof against leakage
current.
Single-pole changeover switch
with non-snap action changeover
contacts.
An exception is RT with switch, code no.
017-404266, with max. reset where the setting
pointer shows the scale value at which contact
changeover occurs on rising temperature.
Ohmic:
AC 1 = 10 A, 400 V
Inductive:
AC 3 = 3 A, 400 V
AC 15 = 2 A, 400 V
Dir. current:
DC 13 = 12 W, 220 V
Alternating
or direct current
25 VA, 24 V
Max. 017-403466
1)
–017-018166
value at which contact changeover occurs on
falling temperature.
Data sheet | Thermostat, Differential thermostat, type RT
Design / Function
5. Setting knob
9. Regulation range scale
10. Loop terminal
11. Pg 13.5 screwed cable
entry
12. Main spring
14. Terminals
15. Main spindle
16. Switch
17. Upper guide bush
18. Contact arm
19. Differential temperature
setting nut
23. Bellows element
25. Fixing hole
26. Sensor (bulb) clip
28. Capillary tube
29. Sensor (bulb)
30. Sensor (bulb) pocket
31. Capillary tube gland
38. Earth terminal
44. Temperature setting
spindle
Key sketch of RT thermostat
5
44
12
17
15
19
23
28
29
RT thermostat
5
38
25
10
11
14
17
16
18
19
25
9
44
Danfoss
17-156.14
4
1
2
16
18
12
15
2629
1
Danfoss
23
28
31
30
The thermostatic element consists of a sensor
(29) capillary tube (28) and bellows element (23).
The element contains a charge that reacts to
temperature variations at the sensor so that the
pressure on the moving bellows rises when
temperature rises.
By turning the setting knob (5) the main spring
(12) can be set to balance the pressure
in the element.
A rise in temperature at the sensor compresses
the bellows and moves the main spindle (15)
upwards until spring force and element pressure
are in equilibrium.
The main spindle (15) is fitted with a guide bush
(17) and a differential setting nut (19) that
together transfer the main spindle movement
to the switch (16).
Data sheet | Thermostat, Differential thermostat, type RT
Design / Function
(continued)
5. Setting knob
9. Regulation range scale
12. Main spring
15. Main spindle
16. Switch
17. Upper guide bush
18a and 18b. Contact arm
20. Lower guide bush
23. Bellows element
25. Fixing hole
28. Capillary tube
29. Sensor (bulb)
40. Neutral zone setting nut
44. Temperature setting
spindle
Key sketch RT L thermostat with neutral zone
44
12
15
17
20
40
23
28
29
4
1
2
18a
16
18b
Danfoss
RT L thermostat with neutral zone
Danfoss
17-428.19
25
44
17
20
5
9
18a
16
18b
25
40
RT L thermostats are fitted with a switch with an
adjustable neutral zone. This enables the units to
be used for floating control.
The neutral zone switch contact arms (18a) and
(18b) are operated by the spindle guide bushes
(17) and (20).
temperature
Neutral zone
4
1
2
4
1
4
1
2
2
NZ
Set temperature
The upper guide bush (17) is fixed while the
lower guide bush (20) can be moved up or down
by the setting nut (40). In this way the neutral
zone can be varied between a minimum value
(equal to the mechanical differential of the unit)
and a maximum value (depending on the type of
RT unit).
4
1
4
1
2
2
Danfoss
Differential
Mechanical
differential
~NZ minimum
Differential
time
17-429.13
TerminologyFloating control
A form of delayed control where the correcting
element (e.g. valve, damper, or similar) moves
towards one extreme position at a rate
independent of the magnitude of the error when
the error exceeds a definite positive value, and
towards the opposite extreme position when the
error exceeds a definite negative value.
Periodic variations of the controlled variable
from the fixed reference.
Neutral zone
The interval between the make points
of the two contacts.
DKRCC.PD.CB0.A9.02 | 520H12296 | 8
17-676.16
-1
-2
-3
-4
[z]
Data sheet | Thermostat, Differential thermostat, type RT
Charges1. Vapour charge
[p]
Pressure
ttt t
Here the interdependence between the pressure
and temperature of saturated vapour is utilized,
i.e. the element is charged with saturated vapour
plus a small amount of liquid.
The charge is pressure-limited; a further increase
in pressure after evaporation of all the liquid in
the bulb, will only result in a small pressure
increase in the element.
Temperature
Danfoss
[t]
This principle can be utilized in thermostats for
low temperature, etc., where evaporation must
be able to take place from the free liquid surface
in the bulb (within the operation range of the
17-301.12
thermostat), and where at the same time, the
bellows must be protected against deformation
when kept at normal ambient temperatures.
Since the pressure in the element depends on
the temperature at the free liquid surface, the
thermostat must always be placed so that the
bulb is colder than the rest of the thermostatic
element.
The evaporated liquid will recondense at the
coldest point, i.e. the bulb. Thus, as intended, the
bulb becomes the temperature-controlling
element in the system.
Note:
When the bulb is coldest, the ambient
temperature has no effect on regulating
accuracy.
2. Adsorption charge
Scale deviation factor
[p]
Pressure
Danfoss
Temperature
tt
v
[t]
t
In this case the charge consists partly of a
superheated gas and partly of a solid having a
large adsorption surface.
17-303.12
4
o
C
30
10
-10
-30
70
o
C
50
o
C
o
20
C
100%50%
o
C
o
C
o
C
3
2
1
0
Danfoss
Relative
scale
setting
(%)
The solid is concentrated in the bulb and it is
therefore always the bulb that is the
temperature-controlling part of the thermostatic
element.
Curves for different ambient temperatures.
The bulb can thus be placed warmer or colder
than the rest of the thermostatic element.
Such a charge is however to some extent
sensitive to changes in the temperature of the
bellows element and capillary tube.
Under normal conditions this is not important,
but if the thermostat is used in extreme
conditions, scale deviation will occur.
The scale can be corrected by using the graph
and the table.
Scale correction = Z × a.
Z can be found in the graph and "a" in the table.
Data sheet | Thermostat, Differential thermostat, type RT
Charges
(continued)
Example
Scale correction on an RT 14 (range -5 – 30 °C)
at activating temperature 12 °C and ambient
temperature -10 °C.
The scale temperature, 12 °C, lies approximately
in the middle of the scale range, i.e. relative scale
setting of 50%.
The factor Z can be found in the graph from 50%
and the curve for -10 °C, i.e. approx. -1.2.
3. Partial charge
[p]
Pressure
Danfoss
17-302.12
Temperature
ttt
[t]
Partial charge is used in RT units having a range
lying higher than ambient temperature.
As with the vapour charge, the partial charge
utilizes the interdependence between the
pressure and temperature of saturated vapour.
The correction factor “a” can be found in the table
for an RT 14, i.e. 2.4.
The scale correction = Z×a=-1.2×2.4=-2.88.
If activation at 12 °C for the same conditions is
required, the thermostat must be set at
12×2.88=9.12≈9.1.
The partial charge is of such a volume that the
bellows housing, capillary tube and a small part
of the bulb are filled when the thermostat is in
operation. The bulb is thus the warmest part of
the system.
The liquid will condense in the remaining,
coldest, part of the system but because of the
volume of the charge the free liquid surface will
always be in the bulb. In this way, the bulb
becomes the temperature-controlling part of the
system.
Note:
When the bulb is placed warmest, the ambient
temperature has no effect on regulating
accuracy.
Data sheet | Thermostat, Differential thermostat, type RT
Design / FunctionRT differential thermostat
Danfoss
17-378.12
1. LT sensor (bulb)
2. Capillary tube
4. LT bellows element
5. Setting disc
9. Regulation range scale
10. Loop terminal
11. Pg 13.5 screwed cable
entry
12. Main spring
14. Terminals
15. Main spindle
16. Switch
17. Upper guide bush
18. Contact arm
20. Lower guide bush
24. HT bellows element
25. Fixing hole
28. Capillary tube
32. HT sensor (bulb)
38. Earth terminal
39. Blow-out disc
1
25
32
An RT differential thermostat contains a singlepole changeover switch that makes or breaks
depending on the temperature difference
between the two sensors of the unit.
The RT 270 017D003166 is for use in process
plant, ventilation plant, and refrigeration and
heating plant where there is need to maintain
a certain temperature differential, 0 – 15 °C,
between two media. One sensor is used as a
reference and the other as a control sensor. The
temperature differential is the direct controlled
variable.
2
4
5
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
20
25
38
39
24
28
Within the operating range the RT 270 can be
set for different temperature differentials by the
setting disc (5).
When the differential between LT and HT sensor
temperature falls, the main spindle (15) moves
downwards.
The contact arm (18) is moved downwards by
the guide (17) so that contacts (1-4) break and
contacts (1-2) make when the set temperature
differential is reached.
The contacts changeover again when the
temperature differential rises to the set value plus
the fixed contact differential of approx. 2 °C.
The differential thermostat contains two bellows
elements: the LT element whose sensor must be
placed in the medium having the lowest
temperature, and the HT element whose sensor
must be placed in the medium having the
highest temperature.
The main spring has a rectilinear characteristic.
Example
Set differential =4 °C.
Switch breaks at 4 °C differential and remakes at
4+2= 6 °C.
DKRCC.PD.CB0.A9.02 | 520H12296 | 11
Data sheet | Thermostat, Differential thermostat, type RT
TerminologyRegulation range
The temperature differential between LT and
HT sensors within which the unit can be set to
operate. Indicated on the thermostat scale.
Scale indication
The difference between the temperature on LT
and HT sensors at the moment when the switch
contacts change over as a result of the downward
movement of the spindle.
Operating range
The temperature range of the LT sensor, within
which the differential thermostat can operate.
Setting of differentialThe knob can be used to make a setting on the
range scale for the lowest temperature at which
the contact system must be activated
(cut-out or cut-in).
Contact differential
The temperature rise on the HT sensor over the
set temperature differential which causes the
switch contacts to make or break.
Reference sensor
The sensor that is placed in the medium whose
temperature is not affected by the function of the
thermostat (HT or LT sensor).
Control sensor
The sensor that is placed in the medium whose
temperature must be controlled
(LT or HT sensor).
The differential roller 19 must then be used
to set the differential. The highest activating
temperature at the sensor is equal to the
activating temperature + the set differential.