TC temperature measurement

Two of the most common sensor technologies in temperature measurement devices are resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) and thermocouples (TCs). The technology behind them is different, and each has its own benefits that drive the choice. In a thermocouple sensor, two different metals are joined together at one end. At this junction, changes in the temperature induce a voltage / electromotive force that is measured. TCs are not measuring an absolute temperature, but the temperature difference between the measuring point (T₁) and a reference point (T_ref).

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Detailled illustration of different thermocouple types

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Detailed illustration of thermocouple constructions

©Endress+Hauser

Operating principle of a thermocouple sensor

Types of thermocouples with different temperature ranges and relationship between the voltage generated and the temperature

The Endress+Hauser iTHERM ProfileSens TC sensor

TC (thermocouple) temperature measuring principle explained

Operating principle of a thermocouple sensor

Types of thermocouples with different temperature ranges and relationship between the voltage generated and the temperature

The Endress+Hauser iTHERM ProfileSens TC sensor

TC (thermocouple) temperature measuring principle explained

Benefits

Wide temperature range from -270°C (454°F) to +1820°C (3308°F)
Fast response time, suitable for dynamic temperature measurements
High vibration resistance
Lower cost compared to RTDs
Rugged and durable, especially useful in harsh environments

Thermocouple types
The Seebeck effect, which is made use of for TCs, states that a voltage is generated when two dissimilar metals are joined together. The voltage generated can then be measured and converted into temperature readings, using a calibration curve or table. There are different types of thermocouples, based on different wire pairs and measuring ranges. Each type of TC has a unique relationship between the voltage generated and the temperature. The type can be identified by an assigned letter, e.g. TC type K, type J or type T.

Endress+Hauser has developed a unique sensor called iTHERM ProfileSens for high temperatures, pressures and aggressive media, consisting of a robust double metal sheathed MI cable and temperature profiling with up to four TCs in one cable.

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Imperial temperature sensor without thermowell

Simple products
Easy to select, install and operate

Technical excellence

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Standard products
Reliable, robust and low-maintenance

Technical excellence

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High-end products
Highly functional and convenient

Technical excellence

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What is FLEX?

Specialized products
Designed for demanding applications

Technical excellence

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FLEX selections	Technical excellence	Simplicity
F L E X Fundamental selection Meet your basic measurement needs	Technical excellence	Simplicity
F L E X Lean selection Handle your core processes easily	Technical excellence	Simplicity
F L E X Extended selection Optimize your processes with innovative technologies	Technical excellence	Simplicity
F L E X Xpert selection Master your most challenging applications	Technical excellence	Simplicity Variable

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iTHERM ModuLine TM112 Industrial modular thermometer

Imperial RTD/TC direct contact thermometer for a wide range of industrial applications

Accuracy Class AA acc. to IEC 60751
Class A acc. to IEC 60751
Class B acc. to IEC 60751
Class special or standard acc. to ASTM E230
Class 1 or 2 acc. to IEC 60584-2

Response time t90 starting at < 1,5 s iTHERM QuickSens
depending on configuration

Max. process pressure (static) depending on the configuration

Operating temperature range PT100 TF iTHERM StrongSens:
-50 °C ...500 °C
(-58 °F ...932 °F)
PT100 TF iTHERM QuickSens:
-50 °C …200 °C
(-58 °F …392 °F)
PT100 WW:
-200 °C ...600 °C
(-328 °F ...1.112 °F)
PT100 basic TF:
-50 °C ...200 °C
(-58 °F ...392 °F)
Typ K:
max. 1.100 °C
(max. 2.012 °F)
Typ J:
max. 800 °C
(max. 1.472 °F)
Typ N:
max. 1.100 °C
(max. 2.012 °F)

Max. immersion length on request up to 180"

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iTHERM ModuLine TM152 Industrial modular thermometer

Imperial RTD/TC thermometer with barstock thermowell for a wide range of industrial applications

Accuracy Class AA acc. to IEC 60751
Class A acc. to IEC 60751
Class B acc. to IEC 60751
Class special or standard acc. to ASTM E230
Class 1 or 2 acc. to IEC 60584-2

Response time depending on configuration

Max. process pressure (static) depending on the configuration up to 500 bar

Max. immersion length on request 84"

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iTHERM SurfaceLine TM611 Surface thermometer

Non-invasive RTD/TC thermometer with high measurement performance for demanding applications

Accuracy depending on application
Class AA acc. to IEC 60751
Class A acc. to IEC 60751
Class B acc. to IEC 60751
Class special or standard acc. to ASTM E230
Class 1 or 2 acc. to IEC 60584-2

Response time depending on application

Operating temperature range -196 °C…400 °C (-320,8 °F...752 °F)

Intrinsically safe temperature sensor – iTHERM ModuLine TM131

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iTHERM ModuLine TM131 Industrial modular thermometer

Metric RTD/TC thermometer with protection tube for a wide range of industrial applications

Accuracy Class AA acc. to IEC 60751
Class A acc. to IEC 60751
Class B acc. to IEC 60751
Class special or standard acc. to ASTM E230
Class 1 or 2 acc. to IEC 60584-2

Response time fastest response time with thermowell t90 starting at below 10 s
depending on configuration

Max. process pressure (static) depending on the configuration up to 100 bar

Operating temperature range PT100 TF iTHERM StrongSens:
-50 °C ...500 °C
(-58 °F ...932 °F)
PT100 TF iTHERM QuickSens:
-50 °C …200 °C
(-58 °F …392 °F)
PT100 WW:
-200 °C ...600 °C
(-328 °F ...1.112 °F)
PT100 TF:
-50 °C ...400 °C
(-58 °F ...752 °F)
Typ K:
max. 1.100 °C
(max. 2.012 °F)
Typ J:
max. 800 °C
(max. 1.472 °F)
Typ N:
max. 1.100 °C
(max. 2.012 °F)

Max. immersion length on request up to 4.500,0 mm (177'')

iTEMP TMT82 temperature transmitter with HART® communication

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iTEMP TMT82 temperature transmitter

HART® temperature transmitter as head, field or DIN rail device with two universal sensor inputs suitable for use in hazardous areas and SIL 2

Accuracy (Pt100, -50...200 °C) <= 0,1 K
(Pt100, -58...392 °F) <= 0,18 °F

High-temperature thermocouple thermometer - TAF16

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iTHERM FlameLine TAF16 High temperature thermometer

Metric TC thermometer with metal thermowell for high-temperature applications

Accuracy class 2 acc. to IEC 60584

Max. process pressure (static) at 20 °C: 1 bar (15 psi)

Operating temperature range Type K:
-40 °C ...1.100 °C
(-40 °F ...2.012 °F)
Type J:
-40 °C ...750 °C
(-40 °F ...1.382 °F)
Type N:
-40 °C ...1.150 °C
(-40 °F ...2102 °F)
Type S:
0 °C ...1.400 °C
(32 °F ...2.552 °F)

Max. immersion length on request up to 4.525,00 mm (178,15'')

Explosion proof temperature sensor iTHERM ModuLine TM111

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iTHERM ModuLine TM111 Industrial modular thermometer

Metric RTD/TC direct contact thermometer for a wide range of industrial applications

Accuracy Class AA acc. to IEC 60751
Class A acc. to IEC 60751
Class B acc. to IEC 60751
Class special or standard acc. to ASTM E230
Class 1 or 2 acc. to IEC 60584-2

Response time t90 starting at < 1,5 s iTHERM QuickSens
depending on configuration

Max. process pressure (static) depending on the configuration

Operating temperature range PT100 TF iTHERM StrongSens:
-50 °C ...500 °C
(-58 °F ...932 °F)
PT100 TF iTHERM QuickSens:
-50 °C …200 °C
(-58 °F …392 °F)
PT100 WW:
-200 °C ...600 °C
(-328 °F ...1.112 °F)
PT100 TF:
-50 °C ...400 °C
(-58 °F ...752 °F)
Typ K:
max. 1.100 °C
(max. 2.012 °F)
Typ J:
max. 800 °C
(max. 1.472 °F)
Typ N:
max. 1.100 °C
(max. 2.012 °F)

Max. immersion length on request up to 4.500,0 mm (177'')

Modular TC or RTD industrial thermometer

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iTHERM ModuLine TM151 Industrial modular thermometer

Metric RTD/TC thermometer with barstock thermowell for a wide range of industrial applications

Accuracy Class AA acc. to IEC 60751
Class A acc. to IEC 60751
Class B acc. to IEC 60751
Class special or standard acc. to ASTM E230
Class 1 or 2 acc. to IEC 60584-2

Response time depending on configuration

Max. process pressure (static) depending on the configuration up to 500 bar

Operating temperature range PT100 TF iTHERM StrongSens:
-50 °C ...500 °C
(-58 °F ...932 °F)
PT100 TF iTHERM QuickSens:
-50 °C …200 °C
(-58 °F …392 °F)
PT100 WW:
-200 °C ...600 °C
(-328 °F ...1.112 °F)
PT100 TF:
-50 °C ...400 °C
(-58 °F ...752 °F)
Typ K:
max. 1.100 °C
(max. 2.012 °F)
Typ J:
max. 800 °C
(max. 1.472 °F)
Typ N:
max. 1.100 °C
(max. 2.012 °F)

Max. immersion length on request up to 1.500,0 mm (59,06'')

Multipoint thermometer iTHERM TMS01 MultiSens Flex

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iTHERM MultiSens Flex TMS01 Multipoint thermometer

Direct contact TC/RTD temperature profiling solution with 3D-bendable sensors for oil, gas and petrochemical applications

Accuracy class 2 acc. to IEC 60584
ASTM E230 and ANSI MC 96.1

Response time depending on configuration:
TC:
t50 = 2 s
t90 = 5 s
RTD:
t50 = 0,8s
t90 = 2s

Max. process pressure (static) at 20 °C: 100 bar (1450 psi)

Operating temperature range Type K:
max. 1.150 °C
(max. 2.102 °F)
Type J:
max. 920 °C
(max. 1.688 °F)
Type N:
max. 1.150 °C
(max. 2.102 °F)
Type T:
max. 370 °C
(max. 698 °F)

Max. immersion length on request up to 30.000,00 mm (1181'')

Temperature field transmitter TMT162 with HART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus or Profibus communication

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iTEMP TMT162 temperature transmitter

HART®, FOUNDATION Fieldbus™ or PROFIBUS® temperature field transmitter with two universal sensor inputs suitable for use in hazardous areas and SIL 2

Accuracy (Pt100) <= 0,1 K (HART, FF, PA)
(Pt100) <= 0,18 °F (HART, FF, PA)

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Endress+Hauser temperature sensor technologies PDF, 557.3 KB

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Temperature measurement for the process industry

Temperature Measurement - Thermometers and transmitters for the process industry

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iTHERM ProfileSens TS901 Multipoint cable probe

A highly reliable multipoint temperature cable probe for oil & gas and petrochemical applications designed to reduce maintenance intervals and the risk of untimely shutdowns due to sensor failure.

RTD temperature measurement

Technology, construction and benefits of resistance temperature detecors (RTDs) in temperature measurement.

RTD vs. TC – a comparison

Their main difference is the temperature range, as an RTD can be used in moderate temperatures ranging from -200°C (300°F) to +850°C (1562°F). The Thermocouple sensor can measure from -270°C (454°F) to +1820°C (3308°F). In general, the choice between a TC and an RTD thermometer depends on the specific requirements of the application.

What are RTDs used for?

If you need higher accuracy or are measuring lower temperatures, an RTD may be the right choice. They have a slower response time than thermocouples, but are more accurate over a wider temperature range.

When to use a TC sensor?

If you need to measure high temperatures, have a limited budget, or need a fast-responding thermometer, a thermocouple may be the perfect choice. Another advantage of TCs is that they can withstand harsher environments (corrosive material, vibration etc.).

TC (thermocouple) temperature measuring principle explained

TC (thermocouple) temperature measuring principle explained

Benefits

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RTD temperature measurement

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TC temperature measurement

TC (thermocouple) temperature measuring principle explained

TC (thermocouple) temperature measuring principle explained

Benefits

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Related content

iTHERM ProfileSens TS901 Multipoint cable probe

RTD temperature measurement

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