THERMOCOUPLE REFERENCE TABLES

The N.I.S.T. (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is the U.S. standards
setting agency. They have determined the output millivoltage of all type thermocouples,
at all temperatures, within their range. The resulting tabulations are called
"Thermocouple Reference Tables" and the thermocouple output millivoltage is shown
for each degree of temperature

The junction of each type thermocouple produces a specific millivoltage across it at a

specific temperature. A thermocouple consists of two junctions connected in opposition.
One is the measuring junction and the other is the reference junction. V D is the
millivoltage resulting from the difference between the millivoltages generated by the two
opposing junctions. VD is the millivoltage read when a meter is connected across the
thermocouple as shown below.

HOW TO DETERMINE THE MEASURING JUNCTION TEMPERATURE

1. Measure the "VD" millivoltage as shown above.

2. Measure the actual temperature of the reference junction with a thermometer.
3. Go to the table for the thermocouple being used and look up the millivoltage
produced at that temperature.
4. Add that millivoltage to the millivoltage measured as "V D" to get a total.
5. Find that millivoltage total in the reference table. The corresponding temperature
is the temperature of the measuring junction.

Example #1 Type "T" Thermocouple

Measured "VD" = 3.41 mV

Reference Junction Temperature = 22°C (71.6°F)

1. From the table; 22°C = 0.87 mV.

2. Adding 0.87 mV to 3.41 mV = 4.28 mV.
3. Finding 4.28 mV In the table; the corresponding temperature is 100°C
(212°F) and is the temperature of the measuring junction.

Example #2 Type "T" Thermocouple

Measured "VD" = 4.47 mV

Reference Junction Temperature = -5°C (23°F) (lower than the table reference of 0°C)

1. From the table; 5°C = -0.193 mV

2. Adding -0.193 mV to +4.47 mV = +4.28 mV
 3. Finding 4.28 mV In the table; the corresponding temperature is 100°C (212°F)
and is the temperature of the measuring junction

Metric/English Scale Conversion °C = °F – 32 °F = 1.8°C + 32

MEETING USABLE TOLERANCES (THE GREATER

POINT TEMPERATURE OF BASE OR % OF READING) REFERENCE
ANSI METALLIC RANGE TABLE
LEG*
LETTER COMPOSITION DATASHEET
°F °C ** STANDARD PREMIUM NUMBER
(LONG TERM)

PLATINUM +30%
P RHODIUM 400 TO 3050 ° F
B 3320 1825 ± 0.5% NOT SET AN-HTP08
N PLATINUM +6% 200 TO 1680 ° C
RHODIUM

(TUNGSTEN +5%
RHENIUM) NOT
P 30 TO 4200 ° F
C *** 4500 2480 ESTABLISHED N.A. AN-HTP13
N 0 TO 2300 ° C
(TUNGSTEN SEE IPTS-90
+26% RHENIUM)

CHROMEL®, ± 1.7° C ± 1.0 ° C or

P -300 TO 850° F
E 2230 1220 N.A.
N -200 TO +450° C
CONSTANTAN o r± 0.5% ± 0.4%

IRON ± 2.2° C
P 30 TO 700° F ± 1.1 ° C or
J 2230 1220 N.A.
N 0 TO 400° C 0.4%
CONSTANTAN or ± 0.75%

CHROMEL, ± 2.2° C
P -300 TO 1800° F ± 1.1° C or ±
K 2550 1400 AN-HTP12
N -200 TO 1000° C 0.4%
ALUMEL, or ± 0.75%

NICROSIL**** ± 2.2° C ± 1.1° C

P 30 TO 1800° F
N 2440 1340 N.A.
N 0 TO 1000° C
NISIL or 0.75% or ± 0.4%

PLATINUM +13%
P 400 TO 2700° F ± 1.5° C ± 0.6° C
RHODIUM
R 3215 1770 AN-HTP09
N 200 TO 1500° C or ± 0.25% or ± 0.1%
PURE PLATINUM

PLATINUM +10%
± 1.5° C
P RHODIUM 400 TO 2700° F ± 0.6° C or ±
S 3215 1770 AN-HTP10
N 200 TO 1500° C 0.1%
or 0.25%
PURE PLATINUM

P COPPER -450 TO 660° F ± 1.0°

± 0.5° C or ±
T 1980 1080 AN-HTP11
0.4%
N CONSTANTAN, -270 TO 350° C or 0.75%
 

* P=Positive Leg N = Negative Leg

**"Standard" grade wire is sufficiently accurate for most applications. The purity and
composition of "premium" grade wire is more closely controlled, and its millivoltage
output is closer to the NIST standard chart and therefore reads somewhat more
accurately than the "standard" grade does.

*** Not an ANSI symbol, but is commonly used as a designated name; also sometimes
referred to as a Type "W".

****Trademark of Hoskins Mfg

NOTE: Individual T/C units may be calibrated by measuring their output at several
known temperatures and preparing an error correction chart. This chart is used to
eliminate any deviation from the "standard" output millivoltage versus temperature
readings inherent in this particular thermocouple. The result is known as an "NIST"
traceable thermocouple.

 
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