Platinum RTD Elements
Sensor Technology is a leading supplier of materials for the production of temperature sensors using noble metal thermocouples.
Our technical team support our customers with wire specifications and thermocouple types according to the needs of each application.
In addition to the most widely used wire diameters on the market, Sensor Technology also provides other diameters on demand, that are more suitable for each application.
Thermocouple sensors
Thermocouple-type temperature sensors comprise two different wires (different metals and/or alloys) which, joined at one of their ends, produce an electrical voltage. This electrical voltage is directly related to temperature, that is, at each temperature variation at the junction of one of the ends, the electrical voltage will present a proportional variation, thus enabling measurement.
In order of obtaining electrical voltage and, therefore, measurement, the union of two metals with known properties must occur as follows:
One of the two ends of two distinct spliced wires is inserted into the environment to be measured (measurement junction or "hot joint"), while the other two ends are inserted into an environment with a known and controlled temperature (reference as junction or "cold joint").
Thermocouples are divided into two groups:
- Basic Thermocouples (T, J, E, K): These thermocouples have wide general use in the industry, as the wires are relatively inexpensive and their application admits a higher error limit.
- Noble Thermocouples (S, R, B): These thermocouples have wire pairs comprised of a pair of noble metal wires such as platinum and rhodium. Their cost is high and require high sensitivity receiver instruments, however, given the homogeneity and purity of the wires, those provide very high accuracy.
Sensor Technology is specialized in Noble Thermocouple solutions, and we supply products for the most diverse applications and specifications.
Types of thermocouples and their characteristics
TYPE S
Alloy: (+) Platinum 90% Rhodium 10% / (-) Platinum 100%
Characteristics:
• Temperature range: 0°C to 1480°C.
• Electromotive force (EMF) produced: 0 to 15.336mV.
• Average thermoelectric power: 1.04mV/100°C.
Application: oxidizing or inert atmospheres. Not suitable for vacuum applications and environments with metallic vapors. It is also used as a standard in the calibration of other thermocouples.
TYPE R
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- Alloy: ( + ) Platinum 87% Rhodium 13%/( - ) Platinum 100%
Characteristics:
• Usage range: 0 to 1480°C.
• Electromotive Force (EMF) produced: 0 to 17.163mV.
• Average thermoelectric power: 1.16mV/100°C.
Application: Oxidizing or inert atmospheres. Not suitable for applications in vacuum and atmospheres with metallic vapors.
TYPE B
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- Alloy: ( + ) Platinum 70% Rhodium 30%/( - ) Platinum 94% Rhodium 6%
Characteristics:
• Usage range: 870 to 1705°C.
• Electromotive Force (EMF) produced: 3.708 to 12.485mV.
• Average thermoelectric power: 1.05mV/100°C.
Application: Oxidizing or inert atmospheres. Not suitable for applications in vacuum and atmospheres with metallic vapors. More stable and robust thermocouple type than “S” and “R” types at elevated temperatures.
Technical Data