samedi 8 mars 2014

Get Your Type K Thermocouple From A Reliable Source

By Jaclyn Hurley


How does one measure temperatures that are too hot for humans to be near? A traditional thermometer would be used for temperatures of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit and would destroy them if exposed to anything higher. Electronic thermometers can handle heat inside a computer but not a furnace at over 2000 degrees. The only option would be to use a type K thermocouple.

When the conductors are exposed to heat or cold they produce a voltage. This voltage difference between the two conductors can be used to determine the temperature. The materials used to produce these conductors have a predictable and repeatable voltage gain or drop according to temperatures they are exposed to.

When this junction is exposed to heat source the junction experiences a change in temperature and allows a voltage to be created. By using a reference table the voltage produced from this junction can be used to determine the temperature. Different couples have different characteristics with regards to temperature range. Extreme conditions will require a wire and couple that can with stand high or even extreme cold environments.

Common uses for these devices are found in almost any industry. Scientific research, gas and oil producers and even a simple oven in the home use these devices. They are even used in the nuclear applications were humans can't go at all. From industrial use such as furnaces to a simple hand held device with a probe. The use of these devices will always be needed to monitor and measure temperatures.

Some couples are designed to only be used in dry environments and thus any moisture can render the accuracy of the devices useless. There are limitations on the accuracy of the measurement as it gets closer to values of less than one degree Celsius. Thus it is difficult to measure accurately at these values. More sensitive monitoring devices would be required below this value.

With such a variety of couples available, choosing which one to use for a specific task needs to be left to a company that understands the unique characteristics of each couple. This includes the durability, vibration resistance, chemical resistance and what operating temperatures it will need to withstand. There are there characteristics that need to be addressed for the accuracy of the couple.

These metals have predictable and repeatable values between temperature and voltage. Thus means that for different environments the correct type of conductor can be determined. These couples can age over time when exposed to extremely harsh environments. Due to them being cheaply produced they can easily be replace at little cost to the user.

Thermocouples have made a large impact on the steel production industry. By adding various metals into a mixture at varying temperatures new alloys can be created. The only way to check if the correct temperature has been reached before adding the next metal is through the use of these couples. The thermocouple itself will be the most likely one to be used for this application.




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