Thermocouple Type | Material | Magnetic | ASTM Color Coding | IEC Color Coding |
J | Iron Constantan | Yes No |
White Red |
White Black |
T | Copper Constantan | No No |
Blue Red |
White Brown |
K | Chromel Alumel | No No |
Yellow Red |
White Green |
E | Chromel/Constantan | No No |
Purple Red |
White Violet |
P | Platinel | N/A | N/A | N/A |
S | Platinum 10% Rhodium Pure Platinum | No No |
Black Red |
White Orange |
R | Platinum 13% Rhodium Pure Platinum | No No |
Black Red |
white Orange |
B | Platinum 30% Rhodium Platinum 6% Rhodium | No No |
Grey Red |
White Grey |
N | Nicrosil/Nisil | No Slightly |
Orange Red |
White Pink |
C | Tungsten 5% Rhenium/ Tungsten 26% Rhenium | No No |
White Red |
N/A |
Material Symbol |
Sheath Material |
Melting Point(°F) |
Max Temp; In Air(°F) |
Atmosphere* |
---|---|---|---|---|
H | 304 SS | 2550 | 1650 | ORNV |
J | 310 SS | 2550 | 2100 | ORNV |
L | 316L SS | 2550 | 1650 | ORNV |
O | 446 SS | 2700 | 2100 | ORNV |
M | Inconel 600 | 2500 | 2100 | ONV |
P | Inconel 702 | 2620 | 1500 | ONV |
Q | Platinum | 3216 | 3000 | ON |
R | Molybdenum | 4750 | 1000 | VNR |
T | Titanium | 3300 | 600 | V |
V | STABALOY | 2552 | 2220 | ORNV |
*KEY
O=Oxidizing, R=Reducing, N=Neutral, V=Vacuum
Suggested Upper Limit for Outside Diameter (Single Element) °C (°F) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sheath | Thermocouple Type | |||||
In | mm | T | J | E | K | N |
1/25" | 1.0 | 260° (500°) | 260° (500°) | 300° (570°) | 700° (1290°) | 2700° (1290°) |
1/16" | 1.6 | 260° (500°) | 440° (825°) | 510° (950°) | 920° (1690°) | 920° (1690°) |
1/8" | 3.2 | 315° (600°) | 520° (970°) | 650° (1200°) | 1070° (1950°) | 1070° (1950°) |
3/16" | 4.8 | 370° (700°) | 620° (1150°) | 730° (1350°) | 1150° (2100°) | 1150° (2100°) |
1/4" | 6.3 | 370° (700°) | 720° (1330°) | 820° (1510°) | 1150° (2100°) | 1150° (2100°) |
3/8" | 9.5 | 370° (700°) | 720° (1330°) | 820° (1510°) | 1150° (2100°) | 1150° (2100°) |
ANSI Thermocouple Type | Temp Range (°C) | Temp Range (°F) | Standard Limits of Error (°C)* | Special Limits of Error (°C) |
---|---|---|---|---|
J | 0 to 760 | 32 to 1400 | The greater of ±2.2 or ±0.75% | The greater of ±2.2 or ±0.75% |
T | 0 to 370 | 32 to 700 | The greater of ±1 or ±0.75% | The greater of ±0.5 or ±0.4% |
K | 0 to 1260 | 32 to 2300 | The greater of ±2.2 or ±0.75% | The greater of ±1.1 or ±0.4% |
E | 0 to 870 | 32 to 1600 | The greater of ±1.7 or ±0.5% | The greater of ±1 or ±0.4% |
S | 0 to 1480 | 32 to 2700 | The greater of ±1.5 or ±0.25% | The greater of ±0.6 or ±0.1% |
R | 0 to 1480 | 32 to 2700 | The greater of ±1.5 or ±0.25% | The greater of ±0.6 or ±0.1% |
N | 0 to 1246 | 32 to 2300 | The greater of ±2.2 or ±0.75% | The greater of ±1.1 or ±0.4% |
B | 870 to 1700 | 1600 to 3100 | ±0.5% | ±0.25% |
TA | -200 to 0 | -328 to 32 | The greater of ±1 or ±1.5% | B |
EA | -200 to 0 | -328 to 32 | The greater of ±1.7 or ±1% | B |
KA | -200 to 0 | -328 to 32 | The greater of ±2.2 or ±2% | B |
A: Thermocouple and thermocouple materials are normally supplied to meet the tolerances specified in the table of temperatures above 0°C. The same materials, however, may not fall within the tolerances given for temperatures below 0°C in the normal section in the table. If materials are required to meet the tolerances stated for temperatures below 0°C the purchase order must specifically state that requirement. Selection of materials will usually be required.
B: Special tolerances for temperatures below 0°C are difficult to justify due to limited available information.
*: Standard and special limits of error in °F are 1.8 times larger thant the °C tolerance at the equivalent °C temperature.
Organization | Standard | Alpha | Nominal Resistance(ohms) At 0°C |
---|---|---|---|
International Electrotechnical Commission (Supersedes BS & DIN) |
IEC 60751: 2022 | 0.00385 |
100 |
ASTM International | ASTM E1137/E1137M-08 (2020) | 0.00385 | 100 |
American Scientific Apparatus Makers Association (SAMA) |
RC21-4-1966 | 0.003923 | 98.129 |
British Standards Association |
b.S. 1904-1964 | 0.00385 | 100 |
Normenstelle Elektrotechnik |
DIN 43760 | 0.00385 | 100 |
US Department of Defense |
MIL-T-24388 | 0.00392 | 100 |
Tolerance Class | Tolerance Value (°C) | Temperature Range of Validity of Tolerances |
---|---|---|
W 0.1 | ±(0.1° + 0.0017[t]) | -50° to 250° |
W 0.15 | ±(0.15° + 0.002[t]) | -100° to 450° |
W 0.3 | ±(0.3° + 0.005[t]) | -196° to 661° |
W 0.6 | ±(0.6° + 0.01[t]) | -196° to 661° |
Tolerance Class | Tolerance Value (°C) | Temperature Range of Validity of Tolerances |
---|---|---|
F 0.1 | ±(0.1° + 0.0017[t]) | -50° to 250° |
F 0.15 | ±(0.15° + 0.002[t]) | -50° to 450° |
F 0.3 | ±(0.3° + 0.005[t]) | -50° to 661° |
F 0.6 | ±(0.6° + 0.01[t]) | -50° to 661° |
Tolerance Class | Tolerance Value (°C) | Temperature Range of Validity of Tolerances |
---|---|---|
AA | ±(0.1° + 0.0017[t]) | -50° to 250° |
A | ±(0.13° + 0.0017[t]) | -100° to 450° |
B | ±(0.25° + 0.0042[t]) | -196° to 600° |
C | ±(0.6° + 0.01[t]) | -196° to 600° |
Color-coded polyvinyl chloride is extruded on each individual conductor and on the outer jacket. It has dielectric and mechanical strength, plus flexibility. PVC is resistant to flame, moisture and abrasion. It is also inexpensive and easily pulled through a conduit. lt is offered in thermocouple extension grade. Temperature rating: Continuous: -20 to +221°F (-29 to 105°C)
Polyvinyl chloride is extruded on both positive and negative conductors simultaneously to form a rip-cord construction. Offered in thermocouple grade 24 gauge solid conductors. Temperature rating: Continuous: -20 to +221°F (-29 to 105°C)
Polyvinyl chloride insulates the positive and negative conductors. The conductors are then twisted and helically wrapped with an aluminum backed Mylar* tape. A bare copper drain wire runs through the construction in contact with the aluminum tape furnishing a low resistance path to ground. The twisted shield provides electrostatic interference rejection. The outer jacket is of polyvinyl chloride which has excellent mechanical strength. Wire is resistant to flame, moisture, and abrasion. Offered in extension grade. Thermocouple grade available upon request. Temperature rating: Continuous: Up to 176°F and 80°C
*Trade name of DuPont.
Kapton polyimide film is applied to both the positive and negative conductor or just to the positive conductor. Kapton is highly resistive to abrasion, radiation and is non-flammable. Excellent for use in extremely harsh environments. No ISA/ ASTM color code. Kapton has no known organic solvents. Kapton is an excellent choice for cryogenic environments because its insulating characteristics remain intact at lower temperatures. Offered in thermocouple grade. Temperature rating: Continuous: Up to 550°F (285°C). Intermittent: Up to 750°F (400°C).
Color-coded nylon is extruded on both positive and negative conductors with a nylon outer jacket. This insulation has excellent abrasion resistance, excellent chemical resistance, and poor moisture resistance. Offered in thermocouple grade. Temperature rating: Continuous: Up to 350°F and 177°C.
Color-coded Teflon (FEP)* is extruded on the positive and negative conductors and outer jacket. This insulation is unaffected by most corrosive substances, outdoor weather, or lubricants. It is flame resistant and heat aging will not cause embrittlement or cracking. Good for cryogenic applications. Offered in thermocouple grade. Temperature rating: Continuous: Up to 400°F (200°C).
TFE tape is spirally applied to the conductor and heated. This process fuses the tape into a homogeneous layer of TFE. Fused teflon wire offers good abrasion resistance and excellent resistance to both moisture and chemicals. Offered in thermocouple grade. Temperature rating: Continuous: Up to 500°F (260°C).
*DuPont Trademark
Glass braid on individual conductors with glass braid outer jacket. Designed for continuous use in high temperature applications. Poor abrasion and moisture resistance. Offered in thermocouple grade. Temperature rating: Continuous: Up to 900°F (482°C). Intermittent: Up to 1000°F (529°C).
A high temperature fiberglass braid is applied over each conductor and then impregnated with a binder. Although the binder improves resistance to abrasion and moisture, it is destroyed above 400°F (204°C). Offered in thermocouple grade. Temperature rating: Continuous: Up to 1300°F (705°C). Intermittent: Up to 1600°F (871°C). We recommend SS overbraid with this wire (Ordering Code HS).
A stainless steel overbraid is applied to fiberglass (Ordering Code GS) or high temperature fiberglass (Ordering Code HS) wire insulation to increase the wire’s resistance to abrasion, mechanical and physical damage. It may be applied to 14 through 30 gauge conductors. Other overbraid materials such as Inconel* are also available by special order codes.
*Special Metals Corporation Trademark
Vitreous silica is applied on both positive and negative conductors with a vitreous silica outer jacket. Refrasil is typically not color coded. Used in high temperature applications, including furnace, load thermocouple and traveling thermocouple applications. Moisture and abrasion resistance only fair. Offered in thermocouple grade. Available with SAE AMS 2750 compliant calibration data. Temperature rating: Continuous: Up to 1600°F (871°C). Intermittent: Up to 1800°F (982°C). We recommend stainless steel or other overbraid with this wire.
A high temperature ceramic fiber is applied over each conductor and then overall. Nextel is not colored coded. Although nextel is not recommended for use with platinum thermocouples, it can be used as an excellent option for other high temperature applications. Its use is limited by the temperature rating of the thermocouple wire it insulates. It is frequently used in furnace and traveling thermocouple applications. Available with SAE AMS 2750 compliant calibration data. Temperature rating: Continuous: Up to 2200°F (1200°C). We recommend SS overbraid with this wire.
Thermocouple Type | Material | Magnetic | ASTM Color Coding | IEC Color Coding |
---|---|---|---|---|
J |
Iron
Constantan |
Yes
No |
White
Red |
White
Black |
T |
Copper
Constantan |
No
No |
Blue
Red |
White
Brown |
K |
Chromel
Alumel |
No
No |
Yellow
Red |
White
Green |
E | Chromel/Constantan |
No
No |
Purple
Red |
White
Violet |
P | Platinel | N/A | N/A | N/A |
S |
Platinum 10% Rhodium
Pure Platinum |
No
No |
Black
Red |
White
Orange |
R |
Platinum 13% Rhodium
Pure Platinum |
No
No |
Black
Red |
white
Orange |
B |
Platinum 30% Rhodium
Platinum 6% Rhodium |
No
No |
Grey
Red |
White
Grey |
N | Nicrosil/Nisil |
No
Slightly |
Orange
Red |
White
Pink |
C | Tungsten 5% Rhenium/ Tungsten 26% Rhenium |
No
No |
White
Red |
N/A |