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What Is A Thermocouple Sensor?: View A Complete Reference Table

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Chassis: Different types of chassis a

What is a thermocouple sensor?


A thermocouple is a sensor for measuring temperature. It consists of two dissimilar metals, joined together at one end. When the
junction of the two metals is heated or cooled a voltage is produced that can be correlated back to the temperature. The
thermocouple alloys are commonly available as wire.

What are the different thermocouple types?
A thermocouple is available in different combinations of metals or calibrations. The four most common calibrations are J, K, T and E.
There are high temperature calibrations R, S, C and GB. Each calibration has a different temperature range and environment,
although the maximum temperature varies with the diameter of the wire used in the thermocouple. Although the thermocouple
calibration dictates the temperature range, the maximum range is also limited by the diameter of the thermocouple wire. That is, a
very thin thermocouple may not reach the full temperature range.
View a complete reference table for each thermocouple. The table includes international color codes for thermocouple alloys,
temperature range and limits of error for almost every kind of thermocouple.
How do I choose a thermocouple type?
Because a thermocouple measures in wide temperature ranges and can be relatively rugged, thermocouples are very often used in
industry. The following criteria are used in selecting a thermocouple:

Temperature range
Chemical resistance of the thermocouple or sheath material
Abrasion and vibration resistance
Installation requirements (may need to be compatible with existing equipment; existing holes may determine probe
diameter)



How do I know which junction type to choose?
Sheathed thermocouple probes are available with one of three junction types: grounded, ungrounded or exposed (see graphic
below:"Thermocouple Tip Styles"). At the tip of a grounded junction probe, the thermocouple wires are physically attached to the
inside of the probe wall. This results in good heat transfer from the outside, through the probe wall to the thermocouple junction. In
an ungrounded probe, the thermocouple junction is detached from the probe wall. Response time is slower than the grounded style,
but the ungrounded offers electrical isolation (see table below).

Room-Temperature Insulation Resistance
Ungrounded Thermocouple
Nominal Sheath Diameter
Applied dc Voltage
min.
Insulation Resistance
min.
Less than 0.90mm (0.03in.) 50V 100M Ohms
0.80-1.5mm (0.030 to
0.059in.)
50V 500M Ohms
Greater than 1.5mm
(0.059in.)
500V 1000M Ohms

The thermocouple in the exposed junction style protrudes out of the tip of the sheath and is exposed to the surrounding
environment. This type offers the best response time, but is limited in use to dry, noncorrosive and nonpressurized applications.

What is response time?
A time constant has been defined as the time required by a sensor to reach 63.2% of a step change in temperature under a specified
set of conditions. Five time constants are required for the sensor to approach 100% of the step change value. An exposed junction
thermocouple is the fastest responding. Also, the smaller the probe sheath diameter, the faster the response, but the maximum
temperature may be lower. Be aware, however, that sometimes the probe sheath cannot withstand the full temperature range of
the thermocouple type.
Material
Maximum
Temperature
Application Atmosphere
Oxidizing Hydrogen Vacuum Inert
304 SS 900C (1650F)
Very
Good
Good
Very
Good
Very
Good
Inconel
600
1148C (2100F)
Very
Good
Good
Very
Good
Very
Good




Thermocouple Ranges and Limits of Error
The table below shows temperature ranges and accuracy for J, K, E and T thermocouples. Additional thermocouple types.





Thermocouple Reference Tables
Thermocouples produce a voltage output that can be correlated to the temperature that the thermocouple is measuring. The
documents in the table below provide the thermoelectric voltage and corresponding temperature for a given thermocouple type.
Most of the documents also provide the thermocouple temperature range, limits of error and environmental considerations.
click on a link below to see the related document


Thermocouple Type B( C)

Thermocouple Type B( F)

Thermocouple Type C( C)

Thermocouple Type C( F)

Thermocouple Type E( C)

Thermocouple Type E( F)

Thermocouple Type J( C)

Thermocouple Type J( F)

Thermocouple Type K( C)

Thermocouple Type K( F)

Thermocouple Type N( C)

Thermocouple Type N( F)

Thermocouple Type R( C)

Thermocouple Type R( F)

Thermocouple Type S( C)

Thermocouple Type S( F)

Thermocouple Type T( C)

Thermocouple Type T( F)


Tungsten and Tungsten/
Rhenium


CHROMEGA vs. Gold-0.07
Atomic Percent Iron







Types of Thermocouples


Beaded Wire Thermocouple
A beaded wire thermocouple is the simplest form of thermocouple. It consists of two pieces of thermocouple
wire joined together with a welded bead. Because the bead of the thermocouple is exposed, there are several
application limitations. The beaded wire thermocouple should not be used with liquids that could corrode or
oxidize the thermocouple alloy. Metal surfaces can also be problematic. Often metal surfaces, especially pipes
are used to ground electrical systems The indirect connection to an electrical system could impact the
thermocouple measurement. In general, beaded wire thermocouples are a good choice for the measurement
of gas temperature. Since they can be made very small, they also provide very fast response time.

Thermocouple Probe
A thermocouple probe consists of thermocouple wire housed inside a metallic tube. The wall of the tube is
referred to as the sheath of the probe. Common sheath materials include stainless steel and Inconel. Inconel
supports higher temperature ranges than stainless steel, however, stainless steel is often preferred because of
its broad chemical compatibility. For very high temperatures, other exotic sheath materials are also available.
View our line of high temperature exotic thermocouple probes.
The tip of the thermocouple probe is available in three different styles. Grounded, ungrounded and exposed.
With a grounded tip the thermocouple is in contact with the sheath wall. A grounded junction provides a fast
response time but it is most susceptible to electrical ground loops. In ungrounded junctions, the thermocouple
is separated from the sheath wall by a layer of insulation. The tip of the thermocouple protrudes outside the
sheath wall with an exposed junction. Exposed junction thermocouples are best suited for air measurement.

Thermocouple Tip Styles

Grounded
Thermocouple
Ungrounded
Thermocouple
Exposed
Thermocouple



Surface Probe
Measuring the temperature of a solid surface is difficult for most types of temperature sensors. In order to
assure an accurate measurement, the entire measurement area of the sensor must be in contact with the
surface. This is difficult when working with a rigid sensor and a rigid surface. Since thermocouples are made of
pliable metals, the junction can be formed flat and thin to provide maximum contact with a rigid solid surface.
These thermocouples are an excellent choice for surface measurement. The thermocouple can even be built in
a mechanism which rotates, making it suitable for measuring the temperature of a moving surface. Type K is
ChromegaAlomega.

Top Search Results for THERMOCOUPLES



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ADR and ADF : Adjustable Depth Armored Thermocouples
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BT Series : Bayonet Style Thermocouples with Stainless Steel Cable
www.omega.com/pptst/BT-000_BT-090.html - 84k - Wednesday, May 07, 2014



CF Series : Thermocouples for Extruders - Compression Style with Stainless ...
www.omega.com/pptst/CF-000_CF-090.html - 99k - Wednesday, May 07, 2014

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nd their construction, Chassis dimensions.

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