Thermocouple Sensors - Thermocouples to your Specifications
What is a thermocouple and how does it work?
A thermocouple is a relatively simple device used to measure temperature. Thermocouple sensors are made from two wires of different metals joined (welded) together to form a measuring junction (also known as a hot junction). This junction and the wires are usually enclosed in a metal sheath which is inserted into the medium where the temperature is to be measured. The opposite end of the two wires are also joined at a point known as the cold junction.
As the temperature at the hot junction changes, it creates a thermal gradient between the hot and cold junctions which generates an electron flow and a resultant electromotive force (EMF), measured in Millivolts. The voltage measured at the ends of the conductors is a function of the temperature difference along the conductor length. This effect is known as The Seebeck Effect.
When used with an appropriate thermocouple display unit, the cold junction is electronically referenced to 0ºC and a formula is applied to the millivolt signal, which can then be converted to °C or °F, using instrumentation. A more detailed explanation of How a Thermocouple Works can be found here.
Choose the right thermocouple for your appplication
We are the largest manufacturer of thermocouple sensors in Europe. Having an enormous range of components in stock means we can make virtually any sensor you specify. We can ship custom built thermocouples typically within 5 days or sooner.
Mineral Insulated
Thermocouples
Rugged sensors, ideal for most applications. Vast choice of terminations e.g. pot seals, cables, connectors, heads etc.Swaged TipThermocouples
Fast response thermocouples ideal for industrial and other applications.
Miniature
Thermocouples
Ideal for precision temperature measurements where minimal displacement and a fast response is required.
Heavy DutyThermocouples
For industrial applications such as furnaces, kilns, ovens, boliers, flues etc. Many types of sheath material available.
High Temperature Thermocouples
Various thermocouples specifically for high temperature applications. Wide choice of sheath materials and terminations.
General PurposeThermocouples
A wide range of thermocouples to suit many applications. Hand held, surface, bayonet, bolt, patch styles etc.
Thermocouples forSurface Measurements
A range of thermocouples to suit various surface temperature measurement applications.
AMS2750 ApprovedThermocouples
Calibrated thermocouples designed to meet the high quality and accuracies demanded for heat treatment and vacuum furnace applications
Industrial VacuumThermocouples
Ceramic sheathed calibrated thermocouples designed specifically in vacuum furnace applications with very low leak rates
ATEX/IECEx ApprovedThermocouples
A large range of thermocouples with a variety of terminations such as pot seal, terminal heads etc.
Thermocouple Types
Type K - Nickel-Chromium vs Nickel-Aluminium, IEC 60584-1
Thermocouple Type K, also referred to as Chromel-Alumel, is the most common thermocouple in use today mainly because it is reliable, inexpensive, has a wide temperature range and is reasonably accurate. Type K thermocouples are designed primarily for general temperature measurements in normal atmospheres. Maximum continuous temperature is about 1,100°C, although above 800°C oxidation increasingly causes drift and decalibration. For short term exposure, however, there is a small extension to 1,200°C. For more information, please see our dedicated Type K thermocouple page.
Type J - Copper vs Copper-Nickel, IEC 60584-1
Thermocouple Type J, commonly referred to as Iron/Constantan, this is one of the few thermocouples that can be used safely in reducing atmospheres. However, in oxidising atmospheres above 550°C, degradation is rapid. Maximum continuous operating temperature is around 800°C, although for short term use, temperatures up to 1,000°C can be handled. Minimum temperature is -210°C, but beware of condensation at temperatures below ambient - rusting of the iron arm can result, as well as low temperature embrittlement. For more information, please see our dedicated Type J thermocouple page.
Type T - Copper vs Copper-Nickel, IEC 60584-1
Thermocouple Type T, whose original name was Copper-Constantan, has found quite a niche for itself in laboratory temperature measurement over the range -250°C to 400°C - although above this the copper arm rapidly oxidises. Repeatability is excellent in the range -200°C to 200°C (±0.1°C). Points to watch out for include the high thermal conductivity of the copper arm, and the fact that the copper/nickel alloy used in the negative arm is not the same as that in Type J - so they’re not interchangeable. For more information, please see our dedicated Type T thermocouple page.
Type N - Nickel-Chromium-Silicon vs Nickel-Silicon, IEC 60584-1
Thermocouple Type N, was billed as the revolutionary replacement for the Type K thermocouple (the most common in industrial use), but without its drawbacks - Type N (Nicrosil-Nisil) exhibits a much greater resistance to oxidation-related drift at high temperatures than its rival, and to the other common instabilities of Type K in particular, but also the other base metal thermocouples to a degree. It can thus handle higher temperatures than Type K (1,280°C, and higher for short periods). For more information, please see our dedicated Type N thermocouple page.
Type R - Platinum-13% Rhodium vs Platinum, IEC 60584-1
Thermocouple Type R is similar to the Type S combination, this thermocouple has the advantage of slightly higher output and improved stability. In general Type R thermocouples are preferred over Type S, and applications covered are broadly identical. For more information, please see our dedicated Type R thermocouple page.
The above list shows the more popular types of thermocouple used in the UK, other thermocouple types that you might come across are Type S and Type E thermocouples. For very specific, usually high temperature, applications Type B and Type C are sometimes found.
