Learn About Type J Thermocouple

By Rosetta Drake


Type J thermocouple is made of two conductors of different materials, normally metal alloys. The two metal alloy conductors generate a voltage within the vicinity of the point where they make contact. The amount of voltage generated is reliant, but not necessarily proportional to, the variance in temperature of the junction to other components of those conductors. A junction of different metals produce an electric potential proportional to temperature.

Thermocouples are a kind of temperature sensors broadly used in control and/or measurement systems. They can also be utilized in converting temperature gradients into electricity. Thermocouples are different from other methods of measuring temperature in that they require no external excitation and are self powered. Commercial makes are interchangeable, inexpensive, can measure a huge range of temperatures, and are availed with standard connectors, .

The metal alloys utilized to construct thermocouples are of particular characteristics. They have repeatable and predictable relationships between voltages and temperatures. Different alloys are suitable for different ranges in temperature. In situations where the element to be measured is positioned far from the device, extension wires may be used between the intermediate link. Wires are suitable because they are simply available and less costly than the material needed to build the devices.

The key drawback of thermocouples is accurateness. It is hard to attain system errors that are less than 1 degree Centigrade. These devices are usually standardized against a reference point of zero degrees centigrade. Temperature variations at the leads of the device are compensated for by use of electronic methods of cold-junction compensation. These compensations enhance accuracy and precision in measurements made.

J thermocouples are made of wire alloys of copper-nickel and iron terminals. The alloys of nickel and copper are called Constantans. The positive leads are colored white while the negative ones are colored red. The sensitivity of these devices is roughly fifty micro-volts for every degree centigrade and the overall temperature remains within the range of negative 210C to 1200C degrees centigrade.

The range of type J thermocouple is however mostly limited to narrower ranges of -40 to 750 degrees centigrade. This limitation results from the Curie point of iron which is at 770C. Iron goes through a molecular transformation and permanently loses the standard voltage output against temperature. This property is not recovered on cooling. This device should not be utilized at very high temperatures in oxidizing atmosphere, a reduction environment is needed. Use at very low temperatures is not advised too.

The linearity in J thermocouples differs by negative seventy degrees Celsius over its entire range from -210 to 1200C. The graph has a straight portion from 100 to 500C, which deviates around 0.5C. The higher and lower ranges may be extended although there will be a loss in linearity. When this device is safeguarded with a suitable outer sheath and compacted mineral insulation, it is useable from zero to 816 degrees Celsius.

Type J thermocouple is one of the cheapest temperature sensing devices. They are utilized for temperature measurement in a wide number of industrial applications like gas turbine exhausts, kilns, and diesel engines. When buying one, consider resistance to corrosion.




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