Temperature monitoring plays a key role in HVAC, building automation and industrial control, where stable and reliable measurements are essential for efficiency, safety and comfort. Among the many passive temperature sensors available today, Ni500 temperature probes stand out as a cost‑effective and precise solution for typical HVAC and building automation applications. In this article, we look at what a Ni500 probe is, where it is used, and why Andivi Ni500 temperature probes are a smart choice for your projects.
What is a Ni500 Temperature Probe?
A Ni500 temperature probe is a type of Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) that uses nickel as the sensing element with a nominal resistance of 500 ohms at 0 °C. Like PT and Ni1000 RTDs, Ni500 works on the principle that the electrical resistance of nickel changes in a predictable way with temperature, which allows temperature to be calculated from the measured resistance.
Nickel RTDs such as Ni500 have a relatively high temperature coefficient of resistance, so even small temperature changes cause noticeable resistance changes, which improves sensitivity in the typical HVAC range. Ni500 elements are most commonly used in passive cable probes, surface probes or immersion sensors that are directly connected to HVAC controllers, PLCs or room controllers.
Typical Temperature Range and Performance
Ni500 sensors are generally designed for operation in the standard HVAC and building automation temperature band, not for extreme industrial temperatures. In practice, combinations of Ni RTD elements and appropriate cable materials (PVC, silicone, HT silicone, glass wool) allow use approximately from −50 °C up to 150–180 °C, depending on the mechanical design of the probe.
Andivi cable temperature probes support Ni500 elements in several cable and sheath variants, so the final permissible temperature of the assembly is determined by the selected cable insulation (PVC up to 105 °C, silicone up to 180 °C, HT silicone do 260 °C, glass wool do 400 °C). Within this range Ni500 offers reliable and repeatable measurements, ideal for heating, cooling and ventilation processes in buildings and machinery.
| Image | Cable material | Temp. | Thermocouples available |
 | PVC Cable | up to 105°C | Ni500 Also available: PT100 1/3DIN, PT 1000, PT1000 1/3DIN, NI1000, NI1000TK5000, NTC 5k / 10k / 20k / Precon / KTY81-210, NTC 1,8 kOhm, LM235Z, DS18B20 |
 | Silicone cable | up to180°C | Ni500 Also available: PT100 1/3DIN, PT 1000, PT1000 1/3DIN, NI1000, NI1000TK5000, NTC 5k / 10k / 20k / Precon / KTY81-210, NTC 1,8 kOhm, LM235Z, DS18B20 |
 | High-temperature silicone cable | up to 260°C | Ni500 Also available: PT100 1/3DIN, PT 1000, PT1000 1/3DIN, NI1000, NI1000TK5000, NTC 5k / 10k / 20k / Precon / KTY81-210, NTC 1,8 kOhm, LM235Z, DS18B20 |
 | Glass wool cable | up to 400°C | Ni500 Also available: PT100 1/3DIN, PT 1000, PT1000 1/3DIN, NI1000, NI1000TK5000, NTC 5k / 10k / 20k / Precon / KTY81-210, NTC 1,8 kOhm, LM235Z, DS18B20 |
Industries and Applications for Ni500 Probes
Because of their good price‑performance ratio and suitable temperature range, Ni500 temperature probes are widely used in HVAC and building services engineering. Typical sectors and applications include:
HVAC Systems
Measuring supply and return water temperature in boilers, heat pumps, chillers and air handling units.
Monitoring duct air temperature in ventilation and air‑conditioning systems for energy‑efficient control.Building Automation and BMS
Integration into heating and cooling circuits for precise control of valves, pumps and fans.
Temperature monitoring in technical rooms, risers and distribution manifolds.Industrial and Machinery Applications
Temperature monitoring of machine parts, pipelines and process equipment in the range −50…+150 °C.
Integration in standard industrial controllers and IO modules that support Ni RTD inputs.Refrigeration and Food Storage
Measuring temperature in cold rooms, refrigerated display cabinets and storage tanks where the measurement range is moderate but stability and reproducibility are required.Residential and Commercial Buildings
Room and zone temperature control in residential, office and commercial buildings, where nickel sensors are often chosen as an economical and sufficiently accurate solution.
Ni500 Compared to Other RTD Elements
Platinum sensors (PT100/PT1000) provide a very wide temperature range and excellent long‑term stability, which makes them suitable for demanding industrial processes. Nickel sensors such as Ni500 and Ni1000 are more cost‑effective and sufficiently precise for standard indoor and HVAC applications, with a narrower operating range and somewhat lower long‑term stability.
Specifications of Ni500 Temperature Probes
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor element | Ni500 nickel RTD, nominal 500 Ω at 0 °C |
| Temperature range | Typically −50 °C to +150 °C (depending on probe and cable design) |
| Applications | Liquids (water, glycol), gases (air), surfaces and internal temperature of objects in HVAC and automation |
| Probe diameters | Standard Ø 6 mm; optional Ø 3 mm, Ø 4 mm, Ø 5 mm or stepped versions |
| Probe lengths | From 30 mm to 500 mm, standard 6×50 mm; other lengths on request |
| Cable materials & max. temperature | PVC cable up to 105 °C; Silicone cable up to 180 °C; High‑temperature silicone cable up to 260 °C; Glass wool cable up to 400 °C |
| Wiring configuration | 2‑wire (standard), 3‑wire or 4‑wire setups depending on accuracy and controller input type |
| Mechanical protection | IP65 for PVC, silicone and HT silicone cables; IP54 for glass wool cables; optionally IP68 with moulded rubber |
| Mounting accessories | Immersion sleeves, threaded versions (M6, M8, G1/2″, G1/4″), surface and contact adapters |
Why Choose Andivi Ni500 Temperature Probes?
Andivi Ni500 temperature probes build on the proven cable probe platform and combine flexibility, European quality and attractive pricing. Key advantages include:
Wide Choice of Mechanical and Electrical Versions
One probe family covers multiple diameters, lengths, cable materials and wiring configurations (2‑, 3‑, 4‑wire), making integration into different HVAC and automation projects straightforward.Compatibility with Common Controllers
Ni elements (Ni500, Ni1000) are supported by many HVAC controllers, room thermostats and building automation systems, enabling direct connection without additional converters.Robust Design for Demanding Environments
Stainless‑steel sheaths, high‑temperature cables and IP‑rated designs ensure reliable operation in boiler rooms, plant rooms, ducts and industrial applications.European Manufacturing and Quality Management
Andivi temperature probes are manufactured in the EU under stringent quality controls in line with ISO‑based quality and environmental standards applied across the company’s product portfolio.Custom Solutions on Request
For OEMs and project‑specific applications, Andivi can adapt probe length, diameter, cable type, connector type and sensor element (Ni500, Ni1000, PT100, PT1000, NTC…) to match exact technical requirements.
Conclusion
Ni500 temperature probes offer a reliable, cost‑effective solution for precise temperature measurement in HVAC, building automation and machinery within a moderate temperature range. With their nickel‑based sensing element and flexible mechanical configuration, they bridge the gap between high‑end platinum RTDs and economical NTC sensors, while remaining fully compatible with common controllers.
Andivi Ni500 cable temperature probes extend the versatile ANDKBTF family with an additional sensor option, allowing engineers and system integrators to select exactly the right element for each project in terms of range, accuracy and budget. For tailored advice or a custom Ni500 probe configuration, customers can contact Andivi’s technical team and receive a solution optimized for their specific application.
