Thermocouples; Definition; Characteristic Curves Of Thermocouples - Siemens 3RS2 Manual

Thermocouples

8.1

Definition

A thermocouple is a sensor for electrical temperature monitoring. It is made from two different
interconnected metals. A difference in temperature between the points where the two metals
come into contact (measuring junction) and the evaluation unit produces a thermal e.m.f. that
is directly dependent on this difference (Seebeck effect). As well as the difference in
temperature, the types of metal used also determine the thermal e.m.f. Different types of metal
can be combined to create thermocouples with different measuring ranges.
A typical example is the type K thermocouple, which is made from a nickel/chrome wire and a
nickel/aluminum wire. The thermal e.m.f. is approx. 4 mV/100 K.
The main advantage of thermocouples is the wide temperature range they are able to cover.
8.2

Characteristic curves of thermocouples

The following characteristic curves show the temperature ranges of the thermocouples:
Figure 8-1
Figure 8-2
3RS2 temperature monitoring relay
Equipment Manual, 02/2022, A5E42462552002A/RS-AB/002
Thermocouples J, K, T, E, N
Thermocouples S, R, B
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