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Types of Thermocouples
with Temperature Ranges
& Color Codes
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/ Types of Thermocouples with
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Temperature
21
Temperature Sensor
2019
Thermocouples

Thermocouple can be de1ned as a
sensor or device which is used for
sensing or measuring temperature.
The thermocouples are consisting of
two metals or wires and the metals are
known as legs. Both legs are welded
together so as to create two junctions.
Temperature is measured in these
junctions with the help of a reference
of known temperature. Whenever the
junction is experiencing a change or
alteration in temperature, a difference
in voltage is created which is then
interpreted through the reference
tables of thermocouple for the
calculation of temperature. This article
describes about Thermocouple Types,
Temperature ranges and color codes.
Following is the 1gure of a practical
thermocouple.

Generic Circuit Diagram

The following is generic circuit diagram of a
thermocouple.

Thermocouple Types & Ranges

There are numerous types of thermocouples

and each has its un-matched characteristics and
temperature ranges. Each thermocouple is
different from other on the basis of durability,
temperature ranges, resistance, and applications
etc. The following are major types of
thermocouples along with its subtypes
explained in detail along with comparison of
thermocouple types.

Types of Thermocouples

Thermocouples of Base Metals

The thermocouples of base metals are types E,

T, N, J, and K etc. known as the most common
categories. The material from which these
thermocouples are made are inexpensive and
commonly available metals such as iron, copper,
and nickel etc. Below is details of each type of
base metal thermocouples.

1. Type E :
The type E thermocouple is having chromel
as a positive leg and constantan as negative
leg. Chromel is having a percentage of 10
percent nickel while constantan has a 45
percent nickel. These thermocouples are
having a temperature range of over -330 till
1600 degrees Fahrenheit. These are having
greatest EMF versus temperature values and
are also usable in the sub-zero temperatures.
These can also be utilized in inert or
oxidizing atmospheres, however these must
not be used in the sulfurous atmospheres,
lower oxygen or vacuums for avoiding
dangers. The color of such thermocouples is
either red or purple.

2. Type J :
The type J thermocouple is having iron as
their positive legs which constantan as
negative legs. These types of thermocouples
are very usable in oxidizing, vacuum, inert,
and reducing atmospheres. These
thermocouples must be taken care of due to
iron leg because it may get oxidized or
rusted and hence special care is required for
its operation. The temperature range of
these types of thermocouples is from 32 till
1400 degrees Fahrenheit. The color for these
thermocouples is either red or white.

3. Type K :
The type K thermocouple is having chromel
as their positive leg and an alumel as their
negative leg. Alumel is having 5 percent
nickel and rest is silicon and aluminum.
These types of thermocouples are
suggested to be used in the environment of
inert or oxidation. These thermocouples are
having temperature ranges from -300 till
2300 degrees Fahrenheit. The color coding
for these thermocouples are red or yellow.

4. Type N :
The type N thermocouple is having nicrosil
as its positive leg and nisil as its negative
leg. Nicrosil is having 14 percent of nickel
and 1.5 percent of chromium and rest is
silicon, while nisil is having 4.5 percent
nickel, 0.1 percent of silicon, and rest is
magnesium. These types of thermocouples
are having temperature ranges from 32 till
2300 degrees Fahrenheit. The color coding
for such thermocouples is either red or
orange.

5. Type T :
The Type T thermocouple is having copper
as its positive leg and constantan as its
negative leg. Such thermocouples are having
temperature ranges from -330 till 700
degrees Fahrenheit and color coding is either
red or blue.

Types of Thermocouples with Temperature

Range & Color Coding

Thermocouples of
Refractory Metals
The thermocouples of refractory metals are the
considered as the last category of
thermocouples which can be manufactured.
These thermocouples are created from certain
exotic metals which are rare and costly as well
such as Rhenium and Tungsten etc. These
thermocouples are very di]cult to manufacture
and must be handled with great care as these
are brittle and have chance to break. There are a
total of 3 types of such thermocouples which
are explained below.

1. Type G :
These thermocouples are having Tungsten
and 26 percent of Rhenium. The color code
for such thermocouples are either red or
white with blue tracer.

2. Type D :
These thermocouples are having 3 percent
of tungsten and 26 percent of Rhenium. The
color code for such thermocouples are either
red or white with yellow tracer.

3. Type C :
These thermocouples are having 5 percent
tungsten and 26 percent of Rhenium. The
color code for such thermocouples are either
red or white with red tracer.

All of the refractory types of thermocouples are

having temperature ranges from 32 till 4200
degrees Fahrenheit. The main usages of such
thermocouples are mainly in the vacuum
furnaces which are having temperature ranges
beyond the temperature capacity of platinum.
These types of thermocouples are rarely used in
applications where temperature range is below
2500 degrees Fahrenheit. These types of
thermocouples and their metal protection tubes
must not be utilized in the presence of oxygen
when the temperature range is above 500
degrees Fahrenheit. The types of thermocouples
which are mentioned above are only for the
refractory thermocouples and are used in
industry designations, but these are not for the
standardize thermocouples.

Rules for Thermocouples

There are some important rules for the use of
thermocouples which must be taken in to
consideration. The following are major rules.
Red is always negative terminal or leg of
thermocouples regardless of the type of
thermocouples.
Each and every type of thermocouples
are having different color coding which
are given in the handouts or manuals. The
handouts will make you sure the proper
use of thermocouple and calibrate it in
accordance to proper technique.

Applications of
Thermocouples.
There are hundreds of applications of
thermocouples mainly in scienti^c, industrial,
and OEM aspects. Thermocouples can be seen
in almost every industry starting from Oil and
Gas, Power Generation, Cement,
Pharmaceutical, Pulp and Paper industry etc.
There are numerous other applications of
thermocouples such as toasters, furnaces, and
stoves etc.

Selection Criterion of
Thermocouples
Thermocouples are selected because of many
reasons, some of which are mentioned below.
Thermocouples have high temperature
sensitivity ranges.
These have lower costs.
These have wide temperature ranges.
These are durable and long lasting.

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