Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Basics About Type K Thermocouple

By Serena Price


Type K thermocouple is a preferred temperature sensing gadget used in a broad range of applications. This device model is preferred since it provides the biggest operating temperature range. They can endure that large temperature ranges because they are nickel based. The elements utilized to make the legs are nickel, manganese, chromium, silicon, and aluminum. Nickel makes the biggest portion of both legs. The rest of this writing discusses further information concerning type K thermocouples.

Like all other temperature sensors, type k thermocouples have two legs, the negative leg and the positive. The negative legs are red in color and are made of nickel, aluminium, silicon, and manganese. Nickel makes up 95 percent while silicon and manganese both make up 2 percent leaving 1 percent for aluminum. The positive legs on the other hand are yellow in color and are made of nickel and chromium only. Here again, nickel comprises ninety percent whereas chromium only makes up ten percent.

The operating temperature for this device can go as high as 1260 degrees Celsius. The sensibility is also high at about 41 microVolts per degree Celsius. In order to maximize the time the device can remain useful, it should be covered using appropriate metal or ceramic protection tube. Protection is more necessary in reducing environments than in oxidizing or other kinds of working environments.

When purchasing a thermocouple, there are a few aspects that need to be considered. Some of the aspects worth considering are margins of error and wire sensitivities. Type K is preferable because it has a greater error margin compared to other types of thermocouples. Some producers are normally willing to trade accuracy for sensitivity. The margin of error is related to temperature being measured.

The material used to make the device is cheap making the price at which it is sold to be low too. The connection wires have good resistance against any attempts of being oxidized by the surroundings when the temperatures are below 1000 degrees Celsius. Linearity of temperature measured and the margin of error is also good making them an elegant choice.

Some of the disadvantages of this device are that it gets affected at the temperature of about 354 degrees. The effect results from nickel reaching its Curie point. Every magnetic material such as nickel undergoes a step change in output once they attain cure point. They are also not suitable for use in reducing environments. They are also prone to sulfur attack making them unsuitable for use in environments containing sulfur.

This model of thermocouple may be used in a broad range of environments and applications. In all the uses they are placed to, their primary function is to measure temperature. Environments of application comprise of chemical solutions, dry places, gaseous areas, and water. They can be utilized in boilers, thermometers, furnaces, and oil heaters. Places of application include health facilities, food industry, manufacturing platforms, and military among others.

Type K thermocouple may be employed far from the place of temperature measurement by applying extension wires. When purchasing extension wires, they must be checked to ensure they are compatible with those on the gadget. Failure to maintain compatibility requirements might lead to gadget sensitivity problems.




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