Thermocouple - Introduction

 Thermocouples are sensors for measuring

temperature. They consists of two dissimilar
metals wires, joined together at one end. When this
junction of the two metals is heated or cooled a
voltage is produced that can be correlated back to
the temperature.
 They are POSITIVE TEMPERATURE CO-
EFFICIENT devices
 i.e. Their effective Resistance increases with the
increase in Temperature

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 Beaded Wire Thermocouples
Beaded wire thermocouples are the simplest form of thermocouples,
consist of two pieces of thermocouple wire joined together with a
welded bead. Beaded wire thermocouples are a good choice for the
measurement of gas and air temperature. Since they can be made
very small, they also provide very fast response time.

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 Temperature Range

 -150 degree TO 1800 degree CELCIUS

 TYPE J (Iron – Constantine) - up to 800 deg. C

 TYPE K (Chrome – Alumeel ) - up to 1150 deg. C

 TYPE S (Platinum – Platinum alloy)- up to 1800 deg. C

 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.

 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
temperature measurement.
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Thermocouple Housings
 Thermocouple Probe

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Thermocouple