What are thermocouples?
Wondering what are thermocouples? Well, they are the sensors that are used to measure temperature especially in the industrial sector. This device is used to convert heat gradient into electricity. It is usually made up of alloys i.e. two different conductors and measure wide range of temperature differences. No external exciting is required and the measurement is done accurately. There are many alloys of thermocouples available to measure the temperature changes. This device should be resistant to corrosion for effective temperature measurement. This device is used the manufacturing industry, diesel engines, turbines, kilns and other heavy industries. Thermocouples are used to measure the temperature between two points. However, it is important to note that it is difficult to measure temperature that is less that one degree Celsius with the help of this device. One should keep in mind that this device is used only to measure the difference and not the exact temperature.
Platinum is one of the most preferred metals for thermocouples wire. An alloy of platinum and rhodium is used in the thermocouples. Depending on the various temperatures the right type of wire is used. This alloy is mainly used to measure high temperature differences. To make thermocouples is easy. Two different metals are joined at one end by the use of thermocouples. This joining of metal produces electricity which is called as Seebeck effect. This device is used to measure whether the temperature is suitable or not. For specific temperatures and degrees, thermocouples are used in the industries. It is symbolised by the alphabet K. The thermocouples are used in food, dairy, HVAC and other industries where temperature difference is constantly measured. Although this is a traditional method it is still used in measuring the temperature in many industries.
Heating appliances like water heaters, ovens have thermocouples. It is used as an indicator to prevent pilot light. Accidents and hazards can be prevented with the help of this device. When the appliance is heated the thermocouples convert the temperature gradient into voltage thus indicating the temperature difference.
In today’s world, there are different combination of metals and calibration in thermocouples. High differences in temperature can be easily measured by the use of this device. However, this device is unfit for recording the minimal temperature difference. Thermocouples are used for testing prototype of electrical and mechanical apparatus in the industries. The difference in temperature is accurately measured with the help of this device. The cold end temperature at one is used as a reference point to note the difference in temperature.
Nowadays, many industries use computerised techniques to measure temperature. However, this tradition device is still not ignored. This device is cheap, strong and is easily available. Therefore, it is still used in many industries as a tool. For improved and precise measurement this traditional devise is still the best. In science and manufacturing industry this device is still popularly preferred and used.
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