ER-98 ECN: 201601414 VER: 4 - 1-10-17

Testing RTD’s and Thermocouples

Ariel uses resistive temperature devices (RTD) or thermocouples (TC) to monitor main bearing and packing
temperatures. An RTD has either three or six wires; a TC has two. Both types of devices must be tested on
the assembly floor after installation, but before the run-test. If a test stand does not automatically test the
devices during the run-test, then a mechanical inspector must manually test them again after the run-test.

RTD Testing
Ariel uses two types of RTD: single and
dual element. Single element consists of
one white wire and two red wires. Dual
element consists of one element of one
white wire and two red wires, and
another of one black wire and two green
wires.
After RTD installation:
1. Set multimeter to the 100 Ohms
resistance scale.
2. Touch one multimeter lead to the FIGURE 1 Typical RTD/Thermocouple
white element wire, and the other
lead to one of the red element wires.
The multimeter should read between 100 Ohms (RTD at 32°F) to 112 Ohms (RTD at 90°F). Test the
other red wire with the white wire. Resistance should be similar for both red wires. Resistance outside
the specified range indicates a damaged or broken element.
3. For dual element RTD’s, perform step 2 with the black and two green wires.
4. Set the multimeter to check for continuity ( ).
5. Isolate all element wires from the tube bend and transition piece. Check for continuity between each wire
and these components. The multimeter displays “1.” to indicate the circuit is not continuous. It displays a
value between .001 and .010 and beeps to indicate a continuous circuit. Only the white wire tested with
either red wire and (for dual element RTD’s) the black wire tested with either green wire should yield a
continuous circuit. A continuous circuit between any element wire and any component indicates a
damaged RTD that needs replaced.

After run-test, if the test stand has no automatic testing:

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5.

Thermocouple Testing
Ariel uses two types of TC: Type J (-328 to 2192°F), which has a red and a white wire, and Type K (-328 to
2501°F), which has a red and a yellow wire. TC’s generate a very low voltage that is difficult to measure with
a multimeter. A digital thermometer attached to the TC measures the voltage and converts it to a
temperature reading based on the thermocouple type.

ER-98, Ver. 4 888-397-7766 (toll free USA & Canada) or Page 1 of 2

740-397-3602 (International)
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After TC Installation:
1. Turn ON the digital thermometer.
2. Select the thermometer test lead with colored alligator clips that match the element wire colors of the TC
being tested.
3. Plug the test lead into the top of the thermometer. Take care to align the blades to the appropriate hole.
4. Press the TYPE button until “J” or “K” appears on the screen as appropriate. If “°C” displays, press the
C/F button to change the display to “°F”.
5. Attach the red alligator clip to the red element wire and the other alligator clip to the remaining element
wire (either white or yellow). If the connections are reversed, the thermometer displays inaccurate
temperature (about 2°F less at room temperature and 135°F less at 150°F). The temperature displayed
should be about room temperature before TC installation. If displayed temperature is not room
temperature or seems odd, verify test setup.
6. Detach alligator clips from TC.
7. Set the multimeter to check for continuity ( ).
8. Isolate both element wires from the tube bend and transition piece. Check for continuity between each
wire and these components. The multimeter displays “1.” to indicate the circuit is not continuous. It
displays a value between .001 and .010 and beeps to indicate a continuous circuit. Only the two TC
element wires should yield a continuous circuit. A continuous circuit between an element wire and any
component indicates a damaged TC that needs replaced.

After run-test, if the test stand has no automatic testing:

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8.

The contents of this document are proprietary and confidential. They are the property of Ariel Corporation and may
not be disclosed, reproduced, or used for manufacture in part or in whole without written permission from Ariel
Corporation.

DATE: VER: ECN: DESCRIPTION:

1-10-17 4 201601414 Page 1: "RTD Testing"", 1st ¶ - "black" was "green", "green" was "black". #3 - "step 2" was
"steps 2 and 3, "black" was "green", "green" was "black". #5 - "black" was "green", "green" was
"black". Page 2, "Thermocouple Testing", 1st ¶: "328" was "328F", removed quotes from "digital
thermometer".

ER-98, Ver. 4 888-397-7766 (toll free USA & Canada) or Page 2 of 2

740-397-3602 (International)
www.arielcorp.com | arc@arielcorp.com