Thermocouple

Mechanical Engineering Department

by:-
Shyamakant sharan(0105me121102)
Sonu kumar patel(0105me121104)

Selection of an Instrument for a Need….

Thermocouples
A thermocouple is a temperature-measuring device 
consisting of two dissimilar conductors that contact each 
other at one or more spots. It produces a voltage when the 
temperature of one of the spots differs from the reference 
temperature at other parts of the circuit. 
 Misconception in Thermoelectricity

The EMF generated by the Seebeck effect is due to the temperature

gradient along the wire.
The EMF is not generated at the junction between two dissimilar wires.
Principle of operation
Sheath options
Thermocouples: Seebeck effect

The Seebeck effect is the conversion of thermal energy/temperature differences directly

into electrical energy or electricity.

This effect measures the ease at which excess electrons will circulate in an electrical circuit
under the influence of thermal difference.

The change in the voltage is proportional to the temperature difference between the
junctions when the ends are connected to form a loop.
 A thermoelectric circuit composed of materials of different Seebeck coefficient
(p-doped and n-doped semiconductors), configured as athermoelectric generator.
If the load resistor at the bottom is replaced with avoltmeter the circuit then
functions as a temperature-sensing thermocouple.
Seebeck Effect
Circuit construction
 Standard Calibration Setup

Ice-point

The result of the calibration is a table of EMF versus T values.

The integral is never directly evaluated.
Instead a polynomial curve fit to the calibration data gives:

E0 j = F (T j ) = b0 + b1T j + b2T j2 + ..... + bnT jn

 Material EMF versus Temperature

Chromel

Iron
emf Copper
Platinum-Rhodium
With reference to
the characteristics
of pure Platinum
Alumel

Constantan
Temperature
Thermocouple temperature vs.Voltage graph
Seebeck coefficient vs. Temperature
 applications
1.Steel industry
2.Gas appliance safety
3.Thermopile radiation sensors
4.Manufacturing
5.Power production
6.Thermoelectric cooling
7.Process plants
8.Thermocouple as vacuum gauge
A thermocouple (the right most tube) inside the burner
assembly of a water heater.
Thermocouple connection in gas appliances. The end ball (contact) on the left is insulated
from the fitting by an insulating washer. The thermocouple line consists of copper wire,
insulator and outer metal (usually copper) sheath which is also used as ground.
Type
Thermocouple insulation
Advantages
The end