Thursday, January 30, 2014

Basics About Type K Thermocouple

By Serena Price


Type K thermocouple is the most preferred temperature sensing appliance used in a variety applications. This appliance model is liked since it gives the widest operating temperature ranges. They are able endure that wide temperature ranges as a result of being nickel based. The substances used in making the legs are manganese, chromium, silicon, aluminum, and nickel. Nickel makes the most part in both legs. Most of the following literature discusses further information on type K thermocouples.

Like all other temperature sensors, type k thermocouples have two legs, the negative leg and the positive. The negative legs are red in color and are made of nickel, aluminium, silicon, and manganese. Nickel makes up 95 percent while silicon and manganese both make up 2 percent leaving 1 percent for aluminum. The positive legs on the other hand are yellow in color and are made of nickel and chromium only. Here again, nickel comprises ninety percent whereas chromium only makes up ten percent.

The operating temperature for this device can go as high as 1260 degrees Celsius. The sensibility is also high at about 41 microVolts per degree Celsius. In order to maximize the time the device can remain useful, it should be covered using appropriate metal or ceramic protection tube. Protection is more necessary in reducing environments than in oxidizing or other kinds of working environments.

When acquiring thermocouples, there are some factors that need strict consideration. Some the factors worth consideration are wire sensitivities and error margins. Type K is liked because it has higher error margin compared to other makes of thermocouples. Some makers are usually trade accurateness for sensitivity sometimes. The error margin is related to the temperatures being measured.

The material used to make the device is cheap making the price at which it is sold to be low too. The connection wires have good resistance against any attempts of being oxidized by the surroundings when the temperatures are below 1000 degrees Celsius. Linearity of temperature measured and the margin of error is also good making them an elegant choice.

Some of the limitations of this gadget are that it is affected when temperatures reach at about 354 degrees Celsius. The effect comes from nickel reaching the Curie point. Every magnetic substance like nickel undergoes step change in output when they attain their Curie points. The devices are also not appropriate for use in reducing atmospheres. They are also vulnerable to sulfur attack rendering them unsuitable for application in atmospheres containing sulfur.

This kind of thermocouple can be used in a wide range of applications and environments. In all the applications they are put to, their primary purpose is to measure temperatures. Environments of application include chemical solutions, water, dry places, and gaseous areas. They can be used in boilers, oil heaters, thermometers, and furnaces. Places of use include health facilities, military, food industry, and manufacturing platforms among others.

Type K thermocouple may be employed far from the place of temperature measurement by applying extension wires. When purchasing extension wires, they must be checked to ensure they are compatible with those on the gadget. Failure to maintain compatibility requirements might lead to gadget sensitivity problems.




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