Installation Guidelines for C&I

Previous Topic Index

Reference Units for thermocouples

Next Topic

General Notes on Reference Units

The thermocouple provides an output which is related to the temperature of the two junctions. For it to function as an absolute temperature measuring device the reference junctions must be maintained at a known temperature, as shown in figure. A simple method which is still used in many laboratory installations is to immerse the reference junctions in a slush of melting ice. Given pure water ice, the temperature established during the melting process provides a constant temperature of 0C. While it is potentially accurate and simple to set up, it is good for a short period of use. However with suitable devices which can automatically provide a reference junctions are located continuously at ice-point. Another method relies on a temperature sensitive electrical network to develop an equivalent voltage and this is incorporated into each thermocouple circuit of the measuring instrument (this is common practice for industrial applications). The use of an ice-point reference or its equivalent is convenient as the reference tables for thermocouple are based on a 0C reference temperature. The calculation should be carried out using voltage value, Eo = Em + Er, where Eo = the required voltage to be used in the standard tables to obtain the measuring junction temperature. Er = the voltage given by the standard tables for a thermocouple operating at the reference temperature. For example, the measured output voltage of a Type K thermocouple operating with a reference temperature of 100 C is 23.097 mV. From the International Standard Thermocouple Tables for type Kstandard, Er (@ 100 C) = 4.095 Mv Eo = 23.097 + 4.095 = 27.192 mV Again from the Standard Tables for Type K, 27.192 mV yields a measuring junction temperature of 654C.

Previous Topic

Index

Next Topic

Installation Guidelines for C&I

Previous Topic Index

Reference Units for thermocouples

Next Topic

INITIAL CALIBRATION TOLERANCES FOR THERMOCOUPLES REFERENCE JUNCTION 0C THERMOCOUPLE TYPE B E J K R or S T TEMPERATURE RANGE, C 870 to 1700 0 to 900 0 to 750 0 to 1250 0 to 1450 0 to 350 Cryogenic Ranges E* K* T* -200 to 0 -200 to 0 -200 to 0 +1.7C or +1.1% 2.2C or 2% 1C or 1.5% ** ** ** TOLERANCES SPECIAL STANDARD

(Whichever is greater)

(Whichever is greater)

0./5 % 1.7C or + 0.5% 2.2C or 0.75% 2.2C or 0.75% 1.5C or 0.25% 1C or 0.75% 1C or 0.4% 1.1C or 0.4% 1.1C or 0.4% 0/6C or 0.1% 0.5C or 0.4%

Previous Topic

Index

Next Topic