Thermocouple

A thermocouple is an electrical device consisting of two dissimilar

conductors forming electrical junctions at differing temperatures.
Theory
A thermocouple circuit has at least two junctions: the measurement
junction and a reference junction.
Typically, the reference junction is created where the two wires
connect to the measuring device.
This second junction it is really two junctions: one for each of the two
wires, but because they are assumed to be at the same temperature
(isothermal) they are considered as one (thermal) junction.
 Working Principle
The working principle of thermocouple is based on these effects :
1) Seebeck effect: The Seebeck effect states that when two different or
unlike metals are joined together at two junctions, an electromotive force
(emf ) is generated at the two junctions. The amount of emf generated is
different for different combinations of the metals.
2) Peltier effect: As per the Peltier effect, when two dissimilar metals are
joined together to form two junctions, emf is generated within the circuit
due to the different temperatures of the two junctions of the circuit
Devices Used for Measuring EMF
The amount of emf developed within the thermocouple circuit is very
small, usually in millivolts, therefore highly sensitive instruments
should be used for measuring the emf generated in the thermocouple
circuit.
Two devices used commonly are the ordinary galvanometer and
voltage balancing potentiometer. Of those two, a manually or
automatically balancing potentiometer is used most often.
Elements used commonly for thermocouple are:
1) Copper as independent element
2) Iron as independent element
3) Platinum as independent element
4) Rhodium as an independent element
5) Iridium as an independent element
6) Constantan: combination of 60% copper and 40% nickel
7) Chromel: combination of 10% chromium, 90% nickel
8) Alumel: combination of 2% aluminum, 90% nickel and remainder
silicon and manganese
How to Choose the Thermocouple Elements
1) The combination of the materials should produce sufficiently high electromotive
force (emf) when they are connected. This ensures that the emf can be measured
easily and the value of the temperature can be obtained correctly.
2) The combination of materials should have high resolution or fast response time:
This means for every degree change in the temperature of the junctions there is
sufficient emf generated within the circuit so that it can be sensed and measured
easily.
3) Higher stability: The properties of the combination should remains stable for the
specified temperature range.
4) Resistant to oxidation: The materials used for the thermocouple should be
resistant to the oxidation, this is especially very important for the materials that are
used at high temperatures since they tend to oxidize at those temperatures.
Types of thermocouples
Nickel-alloy thermocouples : It includes Type E,J,K,M,N,T
Platinum/rhodium-alloy thermocouples : It includes Type B,R,S
Tungsten/rhenium-alloy thermocouples : It includes Type C,D,G
Others :
Chromelgold/iron-alloy thermocouples
Type P (noble-metal alloy)
Platinum/molybdenum-alloy thermocouples
Iridium/rhodium alloy thermocouple
Pure noble-metal thermocouples AuPt,
PtPdSkutterudite thermocouples
 K Type Thermocouple
Type K Thermocouple (Nickel-Chromium / Nickel-Alumel): The type K is the most
common type of thermocouple. Its inexpensive, accurate, reliable, and has a wide
temperature range. The type K is commonly found in nuclear applications because
of its relative radiation hardness. Maximum continuous temperature is around
1,100C.
Type K Temperature Range:
Type K Thermocouple Grade Wire Thermocouple grade wire, 454 to 2,300F (270
to 1260C)
Extension wire, 32 to 392F (0 to 200C)
Type K Accuracy (whichever is greater):
Standard: +/- 2.2C or +/- .75%
Special Limits of Error: +/- 1.1C or 0.4%