Assignment

Objective:
To do the thermocouple calibration by two point and reference methods.

Introduction:
Calibration is the way toward designing an instrument to give an outcome to an example inside
a worthy range. The disposal or minimization of variables that reason wrong estimations is a
key part of the plan of the instrument. The thermocouple is a straightforward and generally
utilized part to measure temperature. It comprises of two distinctive metal links joined toward
one side, called an estimation intersection ("hot"). The opposite end, where the wires are not
associated, is associated with the hints of the flag molding circuit, commonly copper. This
joining between the metals of the thermocouple and the hints of copper is called reference
intersection ("icy"). The test techniques for thermocouples and thermocouples have been
created to address the issues of those ventures where temperature estimation and control are
fundamental. A two-point adjustment basically changes the span of the yield and can remedy
tilting and remuneration blunders. Two-point alignments can be utilized as a part of situations
where it is realized that the sensor yield is sensibly direct in the estimation go. Thermocouples
offer vigorous temperature estimation over a genuinely wide temperature extends, yet they are
frequently not a first decision for temperature estimation because of the vital bargains
between configuration time and exactness. (Wensel, 1935)

Equipment:

 Various thermal couples,

 Tegam microprocessor thermometer,
 Dial thermometer,
 NI Elvis board and a computer with Elvis software.

Method:
1. First of all, label the thermocouples to be calibrated, the NI Elvis plate should be used
and the TEGAM thermometer with microprocessor should be used.
2. Take a Pyrex 250 ml pot and pour some water.
3. Put the pieces of ice in the water until the ice melts quickly.
4. Next, place the thermocouples to calibrate in the water and record the corresponding
readings (voltage or temperature). Put it in a suitable table (Table A).
5. Turn on the heater.
6. Once the water begins to boil, record the boiling point readings in Table A.
7. Now move the Pyrex boat to the mixer.
8. Place the agitator in the water and turn on the magnetic stirrer at low speed.
 9. Place the dial thermometer (now known as a reference thermometer) in the water with
the other thermocouples.
10. Record the readings every 2 minutes of all the thermocouples and the reference
thermometer. Put them on a suitable board (Table B).
11. Stop recording values in Table B when cooling slows down or about 11 data points are
reached
12. Table of the graphs A as temperature or voltage with respect to the temperature (they
have the temperature in the same units ⁰C or ⁰F).
a. Adapt a linear curve and place the line equations on the graph
13. Graph the data in Table B as a reading based on time
a. Adapt an appropriate curve and place the equation on the graph
14. Graph the data in Table B as readings of the reference thermometer versus the
thermocouple reading
a. What corrections should be applied for each thermocouple to match the reading
of the reference thermometer?

Result & Discussion:

The thermocouple voltage is the temperature contrast between the location intersection and a
reference intersection; the reference intersection dependably exists and could be the
association of the thermocouple wires to the voltmeter; Keep at the top of the priority list that
metal, copper and plating materials shape extra middle of the road joints that offset in the
event that they are at a uniform temperature. The thermocouple tables depend on the
reference intersection situated at 0C (ice point reference, a tradition) and that is the reason the
temperatures of the recognition joints in these tables are all from 0V to 0C. There are
numerous techniques for temperature pay. One is to put the reference intersection on the ice
rock, a steady and known reference point. Another is to create a voltage to make up for the real
intersection temperature so the deliberate voltage is the "table temperature" without pay.
Another technique is to utilize a covering and balanced out intersection temperature in which
case a settled remuneration can be utilized to adjust.
Similarly graph between amplitude and time can be drawn as given below:

This graph is obtained as an output after calibration calculations from the software. This clearly
shows that firstly at start or at initial time there is no proper direct relation exists between
amplitude and time but as time crossed the figure of 500 on time axis a clear and direct relation
between time and amplitude can be seen. This trend goes on till the highest value of amplitude
that is 207 and then with increase of time amplitude shows indirect relation in correspondence
to time.

Types of Thermocouple:
1
 Type K Thermocouple (Nickel-Chromium / Nickel-Alumel)
 Type J Thermocouple (Iron/Constantan):
 Type T Thermocouple (Copper/Constantan):
 Type E Thermocouple (Nickel-Chromium/Constantan):
 Type N Thermocouple (Nicrosil / Nisil):
 Type S Thermocouple (Platinum Rhodium - 10% / Platinum):
Type R Thermocouple (Platinum Rhodium -13% / Platinum):
 Type B Thermocouple (Platinum Rhodium – 30% / Platinum Rhodium – 6%):
 Comparison between these different types of thermocouple:

Description of each thermocouple is here below:

1. Type K Thermocouple (Nickel-Chromium / Nickel-Alumel): The type K is the most common
type of thermocouple. It’s inexpensive, accurate, reliable, and has a wide temperature range.

Temperature Range:
 Thermocouple grade wire, –454 to 2,300F (–
270 to 1260C)
 Extension wire, 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

 Standard: +/- 2.2C or +/- .75%
 Special Limits of Error: +/- 1.1C or 0.4%

2
2. Type J Thermocouple (Iron/Constantan): The type J is also very common. It has a smaller
temperature range and a shorter lifespan at higher temperatures than the Type K. It is
 equivalent to the Type K in terms of expense and reliability.

Temperature Range:

 Thermocouple grade wire, -346 to 1,400F (-

210 to 760C)
 Extension wire, 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

 Standard: +/- 2.2C or +/- .75%

 Special Limits of Error: +/- 1.1C or 0.4%

3. Type T Thermocouple (Copper/Constantan): The Type T is a very stable thermocouple and is

often used in extremely low temperature applications such as cryogenics or ultra-low freezers.

Temperature Range:

 Thermocouple grade wire, -454 to 700F

(-270 to 370C)
 Extension wire, 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

 Standard: +/- 1.0C or +/- .75%

 Special Limits of Error: +/- 0.5C or 0.4%

4. Type E Thermocouple (Nickel-Chromium/Constantan): The Type E has a stronger signal &

higher accuracy than the Type K or Type J at moderate temperature ranges of 1,000F and
lower. See temperature chart (linked) for details.

Temperature Range:

 Thermocouple grade wire, -454 to

1600F (-270 to 870C)
 Extension wire, 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

 Standard: +/- 1.7C or +/- 0.5%

  Special Limits of Error: +/- 1.0C or 0.4%

5. Type N Thermocouple (Nicrosil / Nisil): The Type N has much close relation to accuracy and
temperature limits with the Type K. This type is slightly more expensive.

Temperature Range:

 Thermocouple grade wire, -454 to 2300F

(-270 to 392C)
 Extension wire, 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

 Standard: +/- 2.2C or +/- .75%

 Special Limits of Error: +/- 1.1C or 0.4%

NOBLE METAL THERMOCOUPLES (Type S,R, & B):

Noble Metal Thermocouples are selected to withstand with system involving extremely high
temperatures while maintaining their accuracy. They are usually more expensive than Base
Metal Thermocouples.

6. Type S Thermocouple (Platinum Rhodium - 10% / Platinum): The Type S is used in very high
temperature applications. Common applications of this thermocouple is in the BioTech and
Pharmaceutical industries.

Temperature Range:

 Thermocouple grade wire, -58 to 2700F

(-50 to 1480C)
 Extension wire, 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

 Standard: +/- 1.5C or +/- .25%

 Special Limits of Error: +/- 0.6C or 0.1%

7. Type R Thermocouple (Platinum Rhodium -13% / Platinum): The Type R is used in very high
temperature applications. Due to higher percentage of Rhodium than the Type S, it is more
expensive. It is sometimes used in lower temperature applications because of its high accuracy
and stability.

Temperature Range:
  Thermocouple grade wire, -58 to 2700F
(-50 to 1480C)
 Extension wire, 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

 Standard: +/- 1.5C or +/- .25%

 Special Limits of Error: +/- 0.6C or 0.1%

8. Type B Thermocouple (Platinum Rhodium – 30% / Platinum Rhodium – 6%): This type of
thermocouple is used under high temperature conditions. It keeps distinction from all types of
thermocouples as it has the highest temperature limit. It is good for high level of accuracy and
stability usually at very high temperatures.

Temperature Range:

 Thermocouple grade wire, 32 to 3100F

(0 to 1700C)
 Extension wire, 32 to 212F (0 to 100C)

Accuracy (whichever is greater):

 Standard: +/- 0.5%

 Special Limits of Error: +/- 0.25%

References:

 Wensel, W. F. (1935). Methods of testing thermocouple and thermocouple materials.

Part of Journal of National Bureau of Standards, 1-36.

 https://learn.adafruit.com/calibrating-sensors/two-point-calibration