Posted 17 July 2019
Thermocouple cables are usually a pair of insulated conductors made from two different metals with the same or similar properties to the thermocouple probe. They use different metals creating an electrical signal which can be measured and interpreted a temperature.
The different conductor combinations are defined by the Type, for example Type KX has Nicro/Nial conductors whilst Jx has conductors made from Iron & Constantan. It’s vital to use the correct type to ensure accurate temperature measurement.
Extension cable vs compensating cable ?
A thermocouple extension cable uses the same metals as the probe and ensures very accurate signal transmission whilst a compensating cable uses materials that are similar to the probe, whilst not as accurate they can offer reasonable cost savings.
Like any other cable the conductor size and cable construction is important. Thermocouple cables can be manufactured from PVC, LSHF compounds, Silicone, Teflon materials or glass. We even stock stainless steel sheathed versions for petrochemical applications.
Buying Thermocouple compensating and extension cables can be a little tricky if you’re not familiar with them but as long as you know the type you need we can guide you through the rest.
Contact us with your requirement to ensure you buy the right thermocouple cable for the job.
To see our specifications of thermocouple cables please click here!
