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What is Thermocouple Wire?
A thermocouple is a sensor used for determining temperature. It consists of diverse metals joined at the ends
in a single connecting point. This connecting point generates electric energy when the temperature of one end
differs from the other.
Thermocouple wire generally links the thermocouple to control instrumentation
or is used to make the sensing point of the thermocouple.
How are insulated thermocouple wires identified?
The insulation used on thermocouple wire is usually color coded for easy identification. Common guidelines include that the
negative lead in insulated thermocouple wire is red. The positive lead has the color of the thermocouple as
well as the overall color of insulated extension grade wire. The outer jacket of thermocouple grade wire is
typically brown. For high temperature wire, it is common to have a color coded tracer thread in the white
material. For information on usable temperature ranges for the insulation see the "Wire Insulation
Identification" table. Other tables at this link are also available for information on the metals used in
the thermocouple wire, insulation color codes, and more.
Can thermocouple wire be used at all temperatures?
For operations involving high temperature, thermocouple wire functions well. Although the service temperature
of the wire varies depending on the specific wire type, CERAMAFLEX thermocouple wire works to an extended high
temperature of 1204 C. Check
our catalog for full listings of thermocouple wire and their service temperatures.
What is the difference between Thermocouple grade and Extension grade wire?
Thermocouple grade wire is wire that is used to make the sensing point of the thermocouple, where extension grade
wire is only used to extend a thermocouple signal from a probe back to the instrument reading the signal.
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