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Common Thermocouple Specifications
Instrumentation, Electronics & Control Sensing Devices
Heat Transfer Design and Engineering
Common Thermocouple Temperature Ranges and Tolerances of Operation
A thermocouple (TC) is a thermoelectric device used to accurately measure temperatures. It may be connected to a simple temperature reading device, or connected to a hot bonder, oven, or other type of controller that regulates the amount of heat. TCs consist of a wire with two leads of dissimilar metals that are joined at one end. Heating the joint produces an electric current, which is converted to a temperature reading with a TC monitor. Select the type of wire (J or K) and the type of connector that are compatible with the local temperature monitoring equipment (hot bonder, oven, autoclave, etc.). TC wire is available with different types of insulation; check the manufacturer’s product data sheets to ensure the insulation withstands the highest cure temperature. Teflon-insulated wire is generally good for 390 °F and lower cures; Kapton-insulated wire should be used for higher temperatures.
Thermocouple
Type |
Temperature Range
|
Tolerances with Reference Junction
0 C° (32 F) |
||||
Standard Tolerances
|
Special Tolerances
|
|||||
C°
|
F°
|
C°
|
F°
|
C°
|
F°
|
|
T
|
0 to 370
|
32 to 700
|
The greater of
±1.0 C° or ±0.75% |
Note 2
|
The greater of
±0.5 C° or ±0.4% |
Note 2
|
J
|
0 to 760
|
32 to 1,400
|
The greater of
±2.2 C° or ±0.75% |
-
|
The greater of
±1.1 C° or ±0.4% |
-
|
E
|
0 to 870
|
32 to 1,600
|
The greater of
±1.7 C° or ±0.5% |
-
|
The greater of
±1.0 C° or ±0.4% |
-
|
K or N
|
0 to 1,260
|
32 to 2,300
|
The greater of
±2.2 C° or ±0.75% |
-
|
The greater of
±1.1 C° or ±0.4% |
-
|
R or S
|
0 to 1,480
|
32 to 2,700
|
The greater of
±1.5 C° or ±0.25% |
-
|
The greater of
±0.6 C° or ±0.1% |
-
|
B
|
870 to 1,700
|
1,600 to 3,100
|
±0.5%
|
Note 2
|
±0.25%
|
-
|
C
|
0 to 2,315
|
32 to 4,200
|
The greater of
±4.4 C° or 1% |
-
|
Not applicable
|
-
|
T
|
200 to 0
|
328 to 32
|
The greater of
±1.0 C° or ±1.5% |
-
|
-
|
-
|
E
|
200 to 0
|
328 to 32
|
The greater of
±1.7 C° or ±1% |
-
|
-
|
-
|
K
|
200 to 0
|
328 to 32
|
The greater of
±2.2 C° or ±2% |
-
|
-
|
-
|
Note:
1. The standard tolerances shown do not apply to Type E mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed (MIMS) thermocouples and thermocouple cables as described in Specifications E608/E608M.
2. The standard tolerances for MIMS Type E constructions are the greater of ±2.2 C or ±0.75% from 0 C to 870 C and the greater of ±2.2 C or ±2% from 200 C to 0 C.
Figure 1 - Simple Thermocouple Circuit
Source
Derived from ASTM Standard E230-17
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