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Class 1 Type T Thermocouples for High Vibration, High Velocity HVAC Applications

About the Application
What were the issues experienced?
What sensor was the customer advised on?
Outcome and results

About the Application

An HVAC Installation & Servicing Company contacted us regarding an application where they were installing temperature sensors in a high velocity air flow with significant vibration. The application required a highly accurate measurement of the air temperature between 0°C and 40°C of better than +/-0.5°C.

What were the issues experienced?

Due to their high accuracy, the customer had installed and tested various RTD Pt100 sensors, however, they had yet to find a design that lasted when subjected to the high vibration present within the process.

The customer had made numerous visits to the site and tried many different styles of Pt100 and installation methods but with little success.

The more robust the RTD was made, the slower the response time and the revised installation methods were leading to the incorrect placement of the RTD sensors in the air flow.

What sensor was the customer advised on?

The customer contacted us as they knew we are the largest manufacturer of thermocouple and RTD sensors in Europe, with over 50 years experience.

Whilst working through possible designs and solutions, our engineers highlighted that a Class 1 type T thermocouple would meet the required measurement tolerance of +/-0.5°C

Due to the inherent robustness of mineral insulated thermocouples, they would be better suited to applications with high vibration. They would also provide a fast response time.

With a flexible sheath and a wider range of diameters, they provide more options for an easier installation.

Measurement Tolerance

The Class 1 Type T thermocouples provided a calibrated accuracy of better than ±0.5°C, meeting the stringent requirements of the HVAC application.

The sensor’s accuracy was further improved through calibration at the customer’s working temperature in our in-house UKAS Accredited Laboratory. This process achieved a measurement uncertainty of ±0.3°C, exceeding the application’s accuracy requirements.

Key Benefits of Class 1 Type T Thermocouples:

Fast response time
Highly accurate (±0.5°C)
Robust design for high vibration environments
Flexible sheath and wide diameter options

type t thermocouple for high vibration application

Outcome and results

The Type T thermocouples were manufactured, calibrated and delivered to our customer's client within 2 weeks. These were promptly installed.

The customer was very happy with the accuracy, response time and most importantly, the robustness of the sensors. They have now been in use for many months without any problems, far outlasting the original sensors.

This has left our customer with a very happy client and they intend to roll this out to similar applications in the future.

Timeline

Step 1: Diagnosis

The customer identified issues with sensor performance due to high vibration.

Step 2: Solution Design

TC engineers recommended a Class 1 Type T thermocouple for the application.

Step 3: Implementation

The thermocouples were manufactured, calibrated, and installed.

Step 4: Results

The customer was satisfied with the performance of the thermocouples.

Note: This solution resolved a specific challenge in a particular application. Every situation is different, and your needs may require a different approach. The suitability of any of our products for a particular application is ultimately for the purchaser to determine, as they are best positioned to make that judgment.

These case studies are shared to illustrate how our products have been used successfully, but final product selection should always be based on your specific application requirements, standards, and industry regulations. The suitability of any of our products for a particular application is entirely at the discretion of the purchaser as being the best judge for that particular application.

For application-specific advice, please contact us — one of our engineers will be happy to assist with technical guidance.