Thermocouple Wires, Cables & Extension Wire | RTD Cables & Wires
Thermocouple grade wire is used in construction of a thermocouple temperature sensor. Thermocouple extension wire is used to carry the signal from the
thermocouple sensor to the readout device while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. The extension wire material must match the material used in the
positive and negative leg of the thermocouple type (e.g. type K) being used in the application. If a transmitter is installed within the thermocouple
sensor assembly, copper wire is typically used in place of thermocouple extension wire to send the scalable (4 to 20) mA signal back to the process control equipment.
RTD sensors use ordinary copper instrumentation cable to send the resistance signal back to the recording, readout or control device. If a transmitter is installed
within the RTD sensor assembly, copper wire is typically used to send the scalable (4 to 20) mA signal back to the process control equipment.
Pyromation stocks and sells a variety of sizes and gauges of thermocouple grade and extension wire, as well as wire insulators. We also offer special
construction thermocouple wire and RTD cable, including multi-pair thermocouple extension wire.
Thermocouple and extension wires are generally ordered and specified by ASTM/ANSI designations for calibration.
Popular generic and trade name examples are:
- Chromel®/Alumel® - ASTM/ANSI Type K
- Iron/Constantan - ASTM/ANSI Type J
- Copper/Constantan - ASTM/ANSI Type T
- Chromel®/Constantan - ASTM/ANSI Type E
- Nicrosil®/Nisil® - ASTM/ANSI Type N
- Platinum/Platinum (10% Rhodium) - ASTM/ANSI Type S
- Platinum/Platinum (13% Rhodium) - ASTM/ANSI Type R
- Platinum (6% Rhodium)/Platinum (30% Rhodium) - ASTM/ANSI Type B
ANSI Limits of Error for Thermocouple Wire and Extension Wire
Unless otherwise specified, all thermocouple wire and extension wire is supplied to meet either Standard or Special Limits of Error per ASTM/ANSI E - 230.
Thermocouple Wire Insulation Color Coding
Standard ASTM/ANSI color coding is used on all insulated thermocouple wire and extension wire when type of insulation permits. In color coding, the right is
reserved to include a tracer to distinguish the calibration.
Thermocouple Wire & Extension Wire Solid and Stranded Conductors
Thermocouple wire and extension wire are usually solid conductors. When greater flexibility is required, either are available in stranded construction. See
our catalog for stranding combinations used in Pyromation wire. Other stranding combinations may be ordered to suit requirements.
Thermocouple Wire & Extension Wire Calibrating, Checking, and Tagging
Pyromation thermocouple wire and extension wire is available calibrated, "checked and tagged" when so specified, at an extra charge. Wires of this
classification are within the Standard Limits of Error but, most important, their specific departure at temperatures specified is known and can be taken into account.
Each thermocouple, coil, reel, or spool of wire is checked and tagged to show the departure from the curve. Single conductors will be calibrated to show their EMF
values versus pure platinum, with a 0 °C [32 °F] reference junction unless otherwise specified. Thermocouples and wire samples sent to the factory for
evaluation must be at least 36" long.
The temperature range for all checking and selecting is from 0 °C [32 °F] to 1371 °C [2500 °F], depending on type and gauge of wire. Subzero checking
to -79 °C [-110 °F] and high temperature rising from 1371 °F [2500 °F] to 1649 °C [3000 °F] is available. Calibration can also be accomplished
at standard check points such as boiling points of helium, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Stock & Non-Stock Insulated Thermocouple & Extension Wire
'Stocked' insulated thermocouple and extension wire is available in "standard packaging": 50 ft. coils - 100 ft. coils - 250 ft. spools - 500 ft. spools - 1,000 ft. spools.
Coils or spools of less than 1,000 ft. packaged in nonstandard lengths are available at an additional charge and may result in a delay in shipment. Spools or reels of over 1,000 ft.
can be supplied at no extra charge, but may also result in a delay in shipment.
'Non-stocked' insulated thermocouple and extension wire in 1,000 ft. spools and over is available at no additional charge. Coils or spools of less than 1,000 ft. are available at an
additional charge. Minimum order is 100 ft.
Special Construction Thermocouple Wire, RTD Wire & RTD Cables
Pyromation offers and stocks several special construction thermocouple wire and RTD cables for process applications. Because of their specialized construction, they have
been used in many unusual applications to solve problems where standard "off-the-shelf" wire and cable would not suffice.
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Chromel and Alumel are registered trademarks of Hoskins Mfg. Co.
Nicrosil and Nisil are registered trademarks of Amax Specialty Metals Corp.