Saturday, July 5, 2014

Basics About Type K Custom Thermocouples

By Rosella Campbell


Thermocouples refer to devices used for measuring temperatures in different settings. Type K custom thermocouples are the most common among all thermocouples. This is majorly because they offer the largest functional temperature range. Like other thermocouples, type K consists of the positive leg and the negative leg. Generally they have alumel and chromel as main components. The chromel part composes of ten percent chromium and ninety percent nickel. The alumel composes of two percent manganese, ninety five percent nickel, one percent silicon, and two percent aluminium.

The positive leg is normally non-magnetic and is colored yellow while the negative leg is magnetic and has a red color. They have a high sensitivity which is normally approximated at 41 microVolts per unit degree centigrade. The temperature range runs from -200 to +1260 degree centigrade, although it might vary with the sample of device used. Since the positive leg is magnetic, the device undergoes a step change when the magnetic leg attains its cure point. The cure point is reached at a temperature of about 354 degree centigrade.

If the percentage in composition of individual components in the alloys is changed, the accuracy of the device may be affected greatly. In category K, tolerance class one lies within positive or negative 1.5 degree over a range of -40 to 375 degrees. Deviations among gadgets that come from the same production are very minute. There is a special kind of model that can maintain accuracy within changes in temperature up to ten times than the normal models.

This device may be applied in gauging temperature changes in numerous environments. Some of the environments include dry areas, gases, water, and mild chemical solutions. Some of the areas of application include boilers, nuclear plants, engines, and oil heaters. In the food sector and medical facilities, they are utilized as thermometers. The ability of these devices to work in rugged conditions makes them better for utilization as compared to other temperature transduction gadgets.

The capability to work in different environments results from the kind of material the appliance is made from. Since they are nickel based, they can withstand corrosion very nicely. They can be applied oxidizing or in inert atmospheres to maximum temperatures of 1260 degrees Celsius. Optimal performance is observed when used in clean oxidizing environment.

Although this device works in most environments, there are some that it must never be exposed to. Such environments include partial oxidizing environments, sulfur filled atmosphere, and alternating oxidizing and reducing environments. Sulfur atmosphere is not recommended because it attacks the legs in a process called sulfur attack.

The gadget should be protected by use of appropriate metals and/or ceramic protecting tubes. Protection is mostly necessary in reducing atmospheres than in oxidizing environments, even though generally, protection is needed for various reasons. The foremost reason is to keep the device looking tidy and the second reason is to offer general mechanical protection.

Type K thermocouple can be purchased from various places around the world especially stores that deal with related products. Working with them is easy because the installation process does not require a lot of knowledge. A spoilt device is also replaceable with a new one, hence making their application very flexible.




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