Thermocouple Grade Wire is typically used to make the actual thermocouple element. Note that thermocouple grade wire can be used as extension wire, but the outer jacket insulation may have a different color code and in some cases it may be much more expensive than using extension grade wire. Depending on the applications service temperature range, environmental conditions, and physical constraints, a wire gauge, calibration type, and insulation material can be specified. Each of the calibration types have their own insulation standard color code for easy identification. See the thermocouple wire color code table located in this catalog. To aid in the installation of the thermocouple, the RED wire is always the NEGATIVE leg of the element. If the thermocouple wires are installed incorrectly the instrument in the circuit will give backwards readings. Thermocouple grade wire is offered with solid or stranded conductors and in a wide range of gauges. If the thermocouple wire will be in an application where it is subjected to repeated flexing, a stranded wire should be used to prevent conductor fatigue and failure. Thermocouple wire is available in AWG wire gauges from 40 (0.0031 inches) to 6 (0.1620 inches) in bare wire form or insulated with any of the common insulation materials. Insulation materials for thermocouple grade wire are available to cover temperature ranges from -190°F to 2000°F (-123°C to 1093°C).

Insulated thermocouple wire can be supplied on spools, coils, or in element form. Wire orders will be spooled plus or minus 10% of the total quantity unless otherwise specified by the customer. Thermocouple elements can also be made from any of the insulated wires shown below. Elements made from wire with fiberglass insulation are low cost, flexible, and can be used either with or without protection tubes depending upon the atmosphere in which they are installed. Insulated thermocouple wire is also used to manufacture elements for miniature thermocouple assemblies due to ease of replacement an low cost. Elements are nominal length plus two inches for leads and a butt welded junction is standard construction.

Thermocouple Wire Codes

TB = Tight Braid   S = Stranded   OB8 = Over braid 304 stainless   OB9 = Over braid alloy 600   GA. = Gauge

Special Grade wire available on request. Double Type designation letter.

Example: 20K-GG --> 20KK-GG

Type N Thermocouple Wire Color Code: Positive, non-magnetic - Orange Negative, non- magnetic - Red Overall - Brown with Orange tracer Part Number Wire Insulation On each wire Insulation Overall Max. Temp. Approx. Pounds per 1000 ft. Approx. Kgrams per Kmeters Nominal size Ga. Style F C Inches mm 20N-GG 20 Solid Glass braid-saturant Glass braid-saturant 900 480 7.7 11.5 .09 x .06 2.6 x 1.5

Back to Top  

Type T Thermocouple Wire Color Code: Positive, non-magnetic - Orange Negative, non- magnetic - Red Overall - Brown with Orange tracer Part Number Wire Insulation On each wire Insulation Overall Max. Temp. Approx. Pounds per 1000 ft. Approx. Kgrams per Kmeters Nominal size Ga. Style F C Inches mm 20T-GG 20 Solid Glass braid-saturant Glass braid-saturant 500 260 7.7 11.5 .09 x .06 2.6 x 1.5 20T-TT 20 Solid Teflon (fused tape) Teflon (fused tape) 500 260 10.0 14.9 .11 x .06 2.7 x 1.5 20T-TT-ex 20 Solid Teflon, extruded Teflon, extruded 400 204 11.0 16.4 .12 x .07 3.1 x 1.8 20T-TT-ex-S 20 Stranded Teflon, extruded Teflon, extruded 400 204 12.0 17.9 .13 x .08 3.4 x 2.0 24T-GG 24 Solid Glass braid-saturant Glass braid-saturant 400 204 4.4 6.5 .07 x .05 1.8 x 1.3 24T-NN 24 Solid Nylon Nylon 300 150 3.6 5.4 .09 x .05 2.3 x 1.3 24T-P 24 Solid Polyvinyl Plastic Rip cord construction 175 80 3.3 5.0 .08 x .04 2.0 x 1.0 24K-TT 24 Solid Teflon (fused tape) Teflon (fused tape) 400 204 4.6 6.8 .08 x .05 2.0 x 1.2 28T-GG 28 Solid Glass braid-saturant Glass braid-saturant 400 204 3.0 4.5 .06 x .04 1.6 x 1.0 30T-KK 30 Solid Kapton (one wire) Kapton (overall) 400 204 1.3 1.87 .04 x .03 1.0 x .76 36T-TT-ex 36 Solid Teflon, extruded Teflon, extruded 400 204 2.2 3.3 .06 x .04 1.6 x 1.0 40T-TT-ex 40 Solid Teflon, extruded Teflon, extruded 400 204 1.3 1.9 .04 x .03 1.0 x .76

Back to Top

 

© Copyright 2005 Arklay S. Richards Co., Inc.