The two wires that make up the thermocouple pair are made from a range of different alloys and metals and have been standardised by both international and national bodies.
Can thermocouples be used in non-industrial settings, like home appliances?
Yes, thermocouples can be and are commonly used in non-industrial settings, including home appliances, for temperature measurement and control. Here are a few examples of how thermocouples are used in home appliances:
Ovens: Thermocouples are often used in ovens to monitor and control the internal temperature for accurate cooking. They help ensure that the oven maintains the set temperature, leading to consistent and evenly cooked food.
Refrigerators and Freezers: Thermocouples are used in refrigerators and freezers to monitor the temperature inside these appliances. They help maintain the desired temperature levels to keep food fresh and safe for consumption.
Water Heaters: Thermocouples are commonly used in gas water heaters to monitor and control the temperature of the water. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the water is heated to the desired temperature for various household uses.
Thermostats: Some thermostats in home heating and cooling systems utilize thermocouples to measure the ambient temperature and regulate the heating or cooling systems accordingly.
HVAC Systems: Thermocouples can be used in HVAC systems to monitor temperatures in different parts of the house and adjust heating or cooling settings to maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
While thermocouples are often associated with industrial applications, their versatility, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness make them suitable for various non-industrial settings, including home appliances. They provide reliable temperature measurement and control, contributing to the efficiency and performance of these devices.
K-type thermocouple wire is a common type of thermocouple composed of two different metal alloys: nickel/silicon alloy (usually referred to as KN or KNX) and nickel/chromium alloy (usually referred to as KP or KPX).
These two alloys have different thermoelectric properties at different temperatures, which can generate a thermoelectric potential difference for temperature measurement. The working temperature range of K-type thermocouple wires is usually between 0 ° C and 1200 ° C, and it is one of the commonly used temperature sensors in many industrial and laboratory applications.
They have good linear characteristics and relatively high accuracy, and their stability at high temperatures is relatively good, so they are widely used in some high-temperature environments.
The connectors of K-type thermocouple wires often use standard K-type plugs, allowing them to be connected to various temperature measuring devices, control systems, recorders, etc., facilitating temperature measurement and data acquisition. Due to the reliability and applicability of K-type thermocouple wires, they are widely used in various industries such as metallurgy, petrochemicals, energy production, and food processing
What differentiates one thermocouple from another is the metals in its two wires: the positive leg and the negative leg. Because each thermocouple type has a different pairing, they differ in temperature limits, process conditions (inert, oxidizing, reducing atmospheres, heavy vibration), and so on.
Conductor Name |
Thermocouple Type | Grade |
Temperature range ℃ | Allowable Tolerance /℃ |
PtRh30-PtRh6 | B | Ⅱ | 600~1700 | ±0.25% t |
Ⅲ | 600~800 | ±4 | ||
800~1700 | ±0.5%t | |||
PtRh13-Pt | R | Ⅰ | 0~1100 | ±1 |
1100~1600 | ±[1+(t-1100) ×0.3%] | |||
Ⅱ | 0~600 | ±1.5 | ||
600~1600 | ±0.25% t | |||
PtRh10-Pt | S |
Ⅰ | 0~1100 | ±1 |
1100~1600 | ±[1+(t-1100) ×0.3%] | |||
Ⅱ | 0~600 | ±1.5 | ||
600~1600 | ±0.25% t | |||
NiCr-Ni | K | Ⅰ | -40~1100 | ±1.5℃ or ±0.4%t |
Ⅱ | -40~1300 | ±2.5℃ or ±0.75%t | ||
Ⅲ | -200~40 | ±2.5℃ or ±1.5%t | ||
NiCrSi-NiSi | N | Ⅰ | -40~1100 | ±1.5℃ or ±0.4%t |
Ⅱ | -40~1300 | ±2.5℃ or ±0.75%t | ||
Ⅲ | -200~40 | ±2.5℃ or ±1.5%t | ||
NiCr-CuNi (Constantan) | E | Ⅰ | -40~1100 | ±1.5℃ or ±0.4%t |
Ⅱ | -40~1300 | ±2.5℃ or ±0.75%t | ||
Ⅲ | -200~40 | ±2.5℃ or ±1.5%t | ||
Fe-CuNi (Constantan) | J | Ⅰ | -40~750 | ±1.5℃ or ±0.4%t |
Ⅱ | -40~750 | ±2.5℃ or ±0.75%t | ||
Cu-CuNi (Constantan) | T | Ⅰ | -40~350 | ±0.5℃ or ±0.4%t |
Ⅱ | -40~350 | ±1.0℃ or ±0.75%t | ||
Ⅲ | -200~40 | ±1.0℃ or ±1.5%t |