Friday, March 21, 2014

Get A Reliable Type K Thermocouple

By Jaclyn Hurley


Measuring temperatures in an environment that humans aren't able to go in has always been a problem. With new technologies and new materials being produced other methods of measuring these temperatures was needed. This is where the thermocouple comes in. The most common of these is the Type K thermocouple.

When the conductors are exposed to heat or cold they produce a voltage. This voltage difference between the two conductors can be used to determine the temperature. The materials used to produce these conductors have a predictable and repeatable voltage gain or drop according to temperatures they are exposed to.

When this junction is exposed to heat source the junction experiences a change in temperature and allows a voltage to be created. By using a reference table the voltage produced from this junction can be used to determine the temperature. Different couples have different characteristics with regards to temperature range. Extreme conditions will require a wire and couple that can with stand high or even extreme cold environments.

Common uses for these devices are found in almost any industry. Scientific research, gas and oil producers and even a simple oven in the home use these devices. They are even used in the nuclear applications were humans can't go at all. From industrial use such as furnaces to a simple hand held device with a probe. The use of these devices will always be needed to monitor and measure temperatures.

The wires used in these couples are made from noble metals which can react to heat changes very quickly. The k type couple is the most common of these because of their accuracy, reliability and wide temperate range. This couple is used very often in nuclear application due to its radiation hardness and it can with stand continuous temperatures of up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. These couples are not only used for extreme heat conditions, they can also be used for extremely cold conditions.

With such a variety of couples available, choosing which one to use for a specific task needs to be left to a company that understands the unique characteristics of each couple. This includes the durability, vibration resistance, chemical resistance and what operating temperatures it will need to withstand. There are there characteristics that need to be addressed for the accuracy of the couple.

These metals have predictable and repeatable values between temperature and voltage. Thus means that for different environments the correct type of conductor can be determined. These couples can age over time when exposed to extremely harsh environments. Due to them being cheaply produced they can easily be replace at little cost to the user.

These couples can be attached in a permanent manner or by attaching it to a hand held probe. The hand held types are for lower levels of heat. These types tend to be shield from corrosive environments as to prolong the life of the probe. From very large to extremely same couples no matter what the application the actual thermocouple will remain the most popular in any industry.




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