An
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) is considered
passive. This is because it does not generate its own power or signal; instead, it changes its electrical resistance in response to temperature. The RTD needs an external power source (typically a constant current or voltage) to measure its resistance, and this change in resistance is then used to calculate the temperature.
So, in short, an RTD is passive because it doesn't generate a signal but responds to the environmental conditions (temperature) by altering its resistance.