The type K thermocouple is one of the most popular types of thermocouples in the industry. It has properties that make it suitable for a variety of industrial applications. For instance, it has a very wide temperature range, meaning that it can be used to measure temperatures in a wide range of environments. Continue reading to learn more about the most popular type of industrial temperature sensing device.
In industrial process control, thermocouples are preferred to thermometers and other instruments that measure temperature because of a number of reasons. For instance, the output of the device is normally in form of electrical potential. This voltage can be used in feedback control in the process. Thermometers have an output that require the user to physically check the temperature and enter the reading into a computer for process control or other purposes.
Many types of thermocouples exist in the market. They are categorized based on the material used to make their probes. Different types of thermocouples can measure temperatures of different ranges. The junctions of thermocouple are normally made of alloys because of their enhanced physical and electrical properties.
In order to measure temperature, thermocouples must have at least two junctions. These conductors or probes are made of different materials, normally metals and their alloys. Type K thermocouple uses Chromel and Alumel in its two junctions. Chromel is an alloy made of 10 percent chromium and 90 percent nickel, while Alumel is an alloy made of one percent silicon, 95 percent nickel and 2 percent each of manganese and aluminum.
When the two junctions of a thermocouple are placed in different temperatures, an electrical potential difference is created across the two conductors. This voltage is directly proportional to the temperature difference across the two junctions. However, the relationship between the two quantities is only linear within a given temperature range.
The best thing about this temperature measuring instrument is that it has a great operating range. A standard device can measure temperatures ranging from minus 200 degrees to plus 1,350 degrees centigrade. Since most industrial temperature measurements fall within this range, the thermocouple is very popular in industries. If the device is used to measure temperatures that are much higher than the upper limit, the readings may not be very accurate.
When taking industrial measurements, the accuracy of a device is a very important factor of consideration. Type K temperature sensors have an accuracy of plus or minus 0.75 percent. Errors can be compounded during calibration of the device as well as wear and tear of the sensor. For this reason, regular recalibration may be necessary.
An interesting point to note about thermocouples is that they normally wear out very fast. This is because most of them are exposed to extremely harsh conditions throughout their lifetimes. For instance, thermocouples that are installed in boilers, furnaces and industrial ovens should be replaced on a regular basis because the heat may damage the junctions. Corrosive chemicals in some processes might also corrode the junctions of a temperature sensor.
There are three types of type K thermocouple probes. They include grounded, surface and exposed probes. Different environments need different types of probes.
In industrial process control, thermocouples are preferred to thermometers and other instruments that measure temperature because of a number of reasons. For instance, the output of the device is normally in form of electrical potential. This voltage can be used in feedback control in the process. Thermometers have an output that require the user to physically check the temperature and enter the reading into a computer for process control or other purposes.
Many types of thermocouples exist in the market. They are categorized based on the material used to make their probes. Different types of thermocouples can measure temperatures of different ranges. The junctions of thermocouple are normally made of alloys because of their enhanced physical and electrical properties.
In order to measure temperature, thermocouples must have at least two junctions. These conductors or probes are made of different materials, normally metals and their alloys. Type K thermocouple uses Chromel and Alumel in its two junctions. Chromel is an alloy made of 10 percent chromium and 90 percent nickel, while Alumel is an alloy made of one percent silicon, 95 percent nickel and 2 percent each of manganese and aluminum.
When the two junctions of a thermocouple are placed in different temperatures, an electrical potential difference is created across the two conductors. This voltage is directly proportional to the temperature difference across the two junctions. However, the relationship between the two quantities is only linear within a given temperature range.
The best thing about this temperature measuring instrument is that it has a great operating range. A standard device can measure temperatures ranging from minus 200 degrees to plus 1,350 degrees centigrade. Since most industrial temperature measurements fall within this range, the thermocouple is very popular in industries. If the device is used to measure temperatures that are much higher than the upper limit, the readings may not be very accurate.
When taking industrial measurements, the accuracy of a device is a very important factor of consideration. Type K temperature sensors have an accuracy of plus or minus 0.75 percent. Errors can be compounded during calibration of the device as well as wear and tear of the sensor. For this reason, regular recalibration may be necessary.
An interesting point to note about thermocouples is that they normally wear out very fast. This is because most of them are exposed to extremely harsh conditions throughout their lifetimes. For instance, thermocouples that are installed in boilers, furnaces and industrial ovens should be replaced on a regular basis because the heat may damage the junctions. Corrosive chemicals in some processes might also corrode the junctions of a temperature sensor.
There are three types of type K thermocouple probes. They include grounded, surface and exposed probes. Different environments need different types of probes.
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