Thermocouple Extension & Compensation Alloys: Grade Wires

Thermocouple Extension
& Compensation Alloys: GRADES WIRES

Together with the company JLC Electromet we supply a wide range of alloys that are used to manufacture thermocouples, extension and compensating wires/cables. Thermocouples are formed by joining two dissimilar alloys that will produce a thermal EMF when the junctions are at different temperatures. Different grades of thermocouple alloys are used depending upon the temperature being measured.

Thermocouples are connected to the temperature indicating instruments by using the leads made of same material. These leads which have the same EMF output as the thermocouple are called Extension Leads. Use of extension leads avoids lead junction error. However, for economic reasons, cheaper alloys having similar EMF output over a limited temperature range (generally 200 °C) are often used. These leads are called Compensating Leads.

We offer a full range of materials for Extension/Compensating leads. The different grades of these materials and the EMF tolerance for these grades over a required temperature range are shown in this data sheet.

Forms of Supply
Cold Drawn, Annealed.
Oxidized wire surface is also available for applications where corrosive atmosphere is present.

Specifications
Our range of thermocouple alloys meets the specification of ASTM E 230 and ANSI MC 96.1.

We can also manufacture thermocouple alloys to conform to any of the following specifications: IS, IEC, DIN, BS, NF, UNI, ENI, JIS, ENEL, or GOST.

Special tolerances and properties can be made available upon customer request.

Product Forms And Dimensions

JLC Thermocouple Alloys (According to ASTM E230 and ANSI MC96.1)

Type

K
KP-KN

J
JP-JN

E
EP-EN

T
TP-TN

N
NP-NN

Temp

EMF

Tolerance

EMF

Tolerance

EMF

Tolerance

EMF

Tolerance

EMF

Tolerance

°C

mV

°C

%

mV

°C

%

mV

°C

%

mV

°C

%

mV

°C

%

-200

± 2.2

± 2

-5.603

 

 

-100

-3.378

 

 

0

0

 

0

0

0

0

100

4.095

±2.2

±0.75

5.268

±2.2

±0.75

6.317

±1

±0.50

4.277

±1

±0.75

2.773

±2.2

±0.75

200

8.137

10.777

13.419

9.286

5.911

300

12.207

16.325

21.033

14.860

9.340

400

16.395

21.846

28.943

20.869

12.972

500

20.640

27.388

36.999

16.744

600

24.902

33.096

45.058

20.609

700

29.128

39.130

53.110

24.525

800

33.277

45.498

61.022

28.456

900

37.325

68.783

32.370

1000

41.269

36.248

1100

45.108

40.076

1200

48.828

43.835

1300

52.398

47.502

Standard & Special grades

The EMF tolerance of standard grade of alloys is according to the table presented on the previous page. JLC’s special grades offer closer tolerances (½ and ¼ of standard grades) for applications where higher accuracy is needed.

Calibration

Our thermocouple grades are calibrated over the temperature range according to international specifications. All our grades are individually calibrated versus NBS Pt 67. Each coil/spool is tested for EMF and value of deviation from the standard EMF at different temperatures is shown on the labels attached to each coil/spool. All thermocouple materials are made confirming to EMF/temperature requirements for thermocouples as per NBS monograph 125. Alternatively, calibration is also performed as per ASTM E220 comparison technique.

Nominal Physical, Electrical & Mechanical Properties (at room temperature for annealed wire)

 

Alloy

Density

Electrical Resistivity
at 20°C

Temp Coeff of Resistance

Thermal Linear
Expansion Coeff.
b/w 20-95°C

Thermal Conductivity

 

x10-6/°C

 

g/cm³

µΩ-cm

Value

Temp range

10-6/K

W/m K

 

KP/ EP

8.72

70.6

300

20-100°C

17.0

19.2

 

KN

8.60

29.2

1900

20-100°C

17.0

29.7

 

EN/JN/TN

8.90

49.0

60

20-100°C

14.0

21.4

 

Fe

7.86

13-14

5000

20-100°C

11.7

66.2

 

NP

8.53

100.0

90

20-100°C

17.0

13.0

 

NN

8.58

36.5

680

20-100°C

17.0

27.0

 

Note: JP is Iron and needs to be supplied in calibrated form, always along with JN. TP is regular electrolytic Copper.

Final Inspection & Testing

Each spool/coil of thermocouple, extension and compensating alloy is calibrated according to specifications given above. Our thermocouple alloys are fully tested for homogeneity of chemical composition, physical, and thermoelectric properties. This includes the testing of electrical resistivity (loop resistance), which is an important property of thermocouple alloys.

Size Range

Our thermocouple materials are available in different sizes (mm/AWG/SWG) or resistance based upon customer’s requirement.

Form

Dia (mm)

AWG

Wire

0.142-8.255

0-35

Strips and ribbons are also available in various sizes upon request.