Thermocouples
product overview
Fast and robust temperature measurement
A thermocouple is a commonly used temperature sensor for industrial temperature measurement at high temperatures. Thanks to their fast response time, robustness, and wide temperature range, they are used in a wide variety of industries, from mechanical engineering to the process industry.
Stay in control of your process and ensure maximum operational reliability with reliable temperature measurement.
Thermocouples with a connector head
Thermokoppels met aansluitkop
Type K Thermocouple
Type K thermocouples are most commonly used in industrial applications, thanks to their wide temperature range and versatility. They offer a reliable and cost-effective solution for temperature measurement up to approximately 1200 °C. Explore our selection:
Type N Thermocouple
Type N thermocouples are known for their high stability and resistance to aging at high temperatures. They offer a reliable alternative to Type K thermocouples in demanding industrial processes. Explore our selection:
Type J Thermocouple
Type J thermocouples are a cost-effective solution for general industrial applications involving medium temperatures. They are often used where reliability and simplicity are important. Explore our selection:
Type L Thermocouple
Type L is the DIN variant of Type J and is widely used in European industrial installations. They offer a reliable and cost-effective solution for medium temperatures. Explore our selection:
Type T Thermocouple
Type T thermocouples are particularly well-suited for low temperatures and applications that require high accuracy. They are widely used in the food industry and in cryogenic processes. Explore our selection:
Type E Thermocouple
Type E thermocouples offer high sensitivity and accurate measurements, particularly in lower temperature ranges. This makes them suitable for applications where precision is key. Explore our selection:
Type B Thermocouple
Type B thermocouples are designed for extremely high temperatures and offer excellent stability in industrial furnaces and process systems. They are used in environments where other sensors reach their limits. Explore our selection:
Type R Thermocouple
Type R thermocouples offer high accuracy and stability at high temperatures. They are often used in laboratories and industrial processes where precision is required. Explore our selection:
Type S Thermocouple
Type S thermocouples are known for their highly stable and reproducible measurement results. They are widely used as a reference in calibration and in high-precision measurement applications. Explore our selection:
Type C Thermocouple
Type C is suitable for extremely high temperatures in specialized applications, such as vacuum and research environments. This version is not available pre-wired and is used where standard thermocouples are not sufficient. Explore our selection:
Thermocouples with connecting cable
When should you choose a model with a connection cable?
The thermocouple type determines the sensor’s measurement characteristics, such as temperature range and sensitivity. The connection (connection head, cable, plug, bayonet, or process connection) depends on the mounting and installation requirements of the application.
Discover our selection of thermocouples with connection cables:
With a Type K connection cable:
With a Type N connection cable:
With a Type J connection cable:
With a Type L connection cable:
With a Type T connection cable:
With a Type E connection cable:
Thermocouples - accessories
Plug Connectors for Thermocouples
The right plug connector helps ensure reliable measurements. When the connector’s contact materials match those of the thermocouple, unwanted thermal stresses are minimized. Explore our selection:
Screw-in Protective Sleeves for Thermocouples
They provide a pressure-resistant seal and protect the sensing element from mechanical and process-related stresses. The permissible pressure values depend on the temperature. If you’d like to learn more, download the datasheet here. Explore our product range:
Frequently asked questions
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about thermocouples:
How does a thermocouple work?
What is the temperature range of a thermocouple?
Where are thermocouples usedt?
What types of thermocouples are there?
What types of thermocouple connectors are there?
When should you choose a thermocouple with a connector head?
When should you choose a thermocouple with a connecting cable?
When should you choose a screw-in thermocouple?
When should you choose a plug-in thermocouple?
What is the difference between a screw-in and a plug-in thermocouple?
What is the advantage of a plug connection?
When should a bayonet connection be used?
When is a protective sleeve recommended?
What material is recommended for protective sleeves?
How do you select the right cable for a thermocouple?
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How does a thermocouple work?
A thermocouple operates based on the Seebeck effect. When two different metals are joined together and a temperature difference arises between the measuring point (hot junction) and the reference point (cold junction), an electrical voltage is generated.
This voltage depends on the temperature difference.
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What is the temperature range of a thermocouple?
The exact temperature range depends on the combination of materials used. For example, a Type T thermocouple is often used at low temperatures and in situations where high accuracy is required, while Type K is the most commonly used thermocouple for general industrial applications. For extremely high temperatures, precious metal thermocouples such as types R, S, and B are used, while type C is suitable for specialized applications where temperatures can exceed 2000 °C.
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Where are thermocouples used?
Thermocouples have a wide range of applications and are used in, among other things:
• Furnace construction
• Heat treatment
• Mechanical engineering
• Plastics processing
• Power plants
• Glass industry
• Food industry
• Chemical industry
• Process industry
• Laboratories and test setups
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What types of thermocouples are there?
One of the biggest advantages of a thermocouple is its wide temperature range. Depending on the type chosen, temperatures can be measured from well below freezing to over 2000 °C. This makes them suitable for a wide variety of applications, from cryogenic processes and food production to industrial furnaces, glass production, and heat treatment.
In addition to the maximum temperature range, factors such as accuracy, stability, ambient temperature, process conditions, and the desired service life also play an important role in selecting a thermocouple.
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Overview
What types of thermocouple connectors are available?
Thermocouples are available in various designs, such as:
- With a connector head
- With a connection cable
- Plug-in thermocouple
- Screw-in thermocouple
- With a plug connection
- With a bayonet connection
Which one you choose depends on the process installation conditions; we’ve listed them for you in this section
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When should you choose a thermocouple with a terminal block?
A terminal block is used when a robust connection and protection of the electrical connections are required, for example in petrochemical facilities such as oil refineries and in the chemical industry. Unlike versions with connection cables, harsh conditions require a robust (DIN-style) connection. In process furnaces and high-pressure pipelines, temperatures and pressures can reach extremely high levels. A terminal head protects the electrical connections from these process conditions.
A terminal head also offers significant advantages from a mechanical standpoint. Industrial environments are characterized by high levels of vibration, intensive machine use, and regular maintenance. A robust terminal head provides better protection against damage to the connections than a directly connected cable.
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When should you choose a thermocouple with a connection cable?
Models with a connection cable are particularly well-suited for situations where the following factors come into play:
- Limited installation space: A connection head often does not fit between other installation components, such as near a motor, for example
- Vibration sensitivity: Excessive vibration frequencies can cause a connection head to experience metal fatigue or breakage; flexible connection cables absorb vibrations without any issues.
- High flexibility: Cable versions are easy to route through complex bends and past moving parts in tight (test) setups
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When should you choose a screw-in thermocouple?
A screw-in thermocouple is the right choice when the sensor needs to be permanently installed in a process and must be able to withstand pressure, vibrations, or flowing media. This type is widely used in pipes, tanks, hydraulic systems, and industrial installations where reliable and reproducible temperature measurement is required.
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When should you choose a plug-in thermocouple?
A plug-in thermocouple is used when the measurement depth needs to be adjusted frequently or when easy replacement is important. These sensors are suitable for applications such as ovens, laboratory setups, air ducts, and other situations where the sensor can be removed or repositioned without disassembling the process.
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What is the difference between a screw-in thermocouple and a plug-in thermocouple?
The main difference lies in the installation method. A screw-in thermocouple is securely fastened to the process using a screw connection and provides a pressure-tight seal. A push-in thermocouple is simply inserted into an opening or protective tube and can be easily removed or repositioned. The choice depends on the required process safety, maintenance frequency, and flexibility of the application.
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What is the advantage of a plug-in connection?
A thermocouple with a plug-in connection can be quickly connected and disconnected without having to reconnect the wiring. This shortens maintenance times, reduces the risk of connection errors, and makes it easy to replace sensors during inspections, calibrations, or service work.
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When do you use a bayonet connection?
A bayonet thermocouple is used when the sensor needs to remain securely in place while still being easy to remove. Thanks to the spring-loaded design, the contact pressure remains constant, ensuring good heat transfer. As a result, bayonet connections are widely used in the plastics industry, packaging machines, molds, and other mechanical engineering applications where precise surface temperatures need to be measured.
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When is a protective sleeve recommended?
A protective sleeve (also known as a thermowell or protective tube) is used when the thermocouple needs to be protected from harsh process conditions or when the sensor needs to be replaceable without shutting down the process. In this section, we’ll outline the pros and cons of a protective sleeve for you.
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What material is recommended for protective sleeves?
For approximately 80% of industrial applications, 316 (Ti) stainless steel is the standard choice for a protective sleeve. Only when temperature, corrosion, or wear become critical factors is it often recommended to choose Inconel, Hastelloy, titanium, or ceramic.
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How do you choose the right cable for a thermocouple?
Always use a cable that is suitable for the selected thermocouple type. An incorrect combination of thermocouple and extension or compensation cable can lead to unwanted measurement deviations and inaccurate temperature readings.
What is the difference between a compensation cable and an extension cable?
An extension cable is made of the same materials as the thermocouple and extends the measurement signal without altering its thermoelectric properties. Extension cables can be identified by the letter X (for example, KX, JX, and TX).
A compensation cable is made of alternative materials with thermoelectric properties similar to those of the thermocouple. These cables are sometimes a cost-effective solution for standard applications and are designated with P or C (for example, KP, JP, TC, and NC).
Rule of thumb
X = extension cable (same materials as the thermocouple)
P or C = compensation cable (alternative alloys)
Do not use combined designations such as KPX, JPX, or similar combinations.
For clarification, see the table below:
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Thermocouple extension and compensation cable
JUMO has been manufacturing thermocouples for temperature measurement solutions for decades, including for the thermal process industry, mechanical engineering, laboratories, and the energy sector.
See more related news and a number of case studies below:
Related news and infos
Downloads
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Smart feature for temperature measurement
Need advice on choosing a thermocouple?
Choosing the right thermocouple depends on various factors, such as the temperature range, process conditions, required accuracy, and desired mounting method. Our specialists are happy to advise you on selecting the right solutions for your application.
Call our specialists now:
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T: +31 294 49 14 92
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