Using a type k thermocouple on a copper pipe

medoc

Just a quick one if anyone can help. I want to measure the temperature of the water output of the oil burner. If I place a type k thermocouple directly on the copper pipe or the brass fittings will there be any corrosion issues? I have some spare thermocouples and transmitters that I can connect to my PLC to log the temperature if it’s unlikely to cause any issues.

Tuco88

The type I used before had a jubilee clip on it, and I used to put some thermal paste on too. Never caused any damage.

You could use a small bit of manifold/brake caliper paint as a barrier, it shouldn't make any major difference to the measurement.

2011

I wouldn’t use a thermocouple for this purpose. They are more suited to far higher temperature ranges. For this application I would recommend a PT100.

Anyway to answer your question it will be fine.

medoc

2011 wrote: »

I wouldn’t use a thermocouple for this purpose. They are more suited to far higher temperature ranges. For this application I would recommend a PT100.

Anyway to answer your question it will be fine.

Thanks for the replies. Yea I’ll use the thermocouples as those are what I have for now. I might replace them for PT100 if I need to all I’ll need to do is reprogram the PR transmitters. There’s no real reason for doing this, just for a bit of fun and to add the info to my system.

2011

You will find that the PT100’s will provide a far more stable and accurate reading.
Response time is increased but will still be very rapid. Normally thermocouples are used for far higher temperature ranges.