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Type T Thermocouple - Technical Information

Type T - Copper vs Copper-Nickel

Thermocouple Type T, whose original name was Copper-Constantan, has found quite a niche for itself in laboratory temperature measurement over the range -250°C to 400°C - although above this the copper arm rapidly oxidises. Repeatability is excellent in the range -200°C to 200°C (±0.1°C). Points to watch out for include the high thermal conductivity of the copper arm, and the fact that the copper/nickel alloy used in the negative arm is not the same as that in Type J - so they’re not interchangeable.

Type T Thermocouples - Typical Constructions and Styles

Type T Mineral Insulated
Thermocouples

Type T Thermocouples with Mineral InsulationRugged popular Type T thermocouple sensors, ideal for most applications. Vast choice of terminations e.g. pot seals, cables, connectors, heads etc.

Type T Swaged Tip Thermocouple Probes

Swaged Tip Type T ThermocouplesFast response thermocouples ideal for industrial and other applications.

Type T Miniature Thermocouples

Miniature Type T ThermocouplesIdeal for precision temperature measurements where minimal displacement and a fast response is required.

Type T Heavy Duty Thermocouples

Heavy Duty Type T ThermocouplesFor industrial applications such as furnaces, kilns, ovens, boilers, flues etc. Many types of sheath material available.

General Purpose Type T Thermocouples

Type T Thermocouples for General UseA wide range of thermocouples to suit many applications. Hand held, surface, bayonet, bolt, patch styles etc.

ATEX/IECEx Approved Type T Thermocouples

ATEX approved Type T ThermocouplesA large range of Type T thermocouples with a variety of terminations such as pot seal, terminal heads etc.

Type T - Technical Data

Conductor Combination Approximate generated
EMF change in µV
per ºC change
(referenced to 0ºC) at:		 Approximate Working
Temperature Range		 Initial Calibration Tolerances to ASTM E-230
(whichever is greater)		 Thermocouple Output Tolerances
to IEC 60584-1
+ Leg - Leg 100ºC 500ºC 1000ºC ºF ºC Standard Special Type Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
COPPER
 COPPER - NICKEL
Also known as: Constantan,
Advance™, Cupron™		 46 – – 32 to 700 0 to 370 ±1 or ±0.75% ±0.5 or ±0.4% Temperature Range
Tolerance Value
Temperature Range
Tolerance Value		 –40°C to +125°C
±0.5°C
125°C to 350°C
±0.004⋅ |t|		 –40°C to +133°C
±1.0°C
133°C to 350°C
±0.0075 ⋅ |t|		 –67°C to +40°C
±1.0°C
–200°C to –67°C
±0.015⋅ |t|
1. The tolerance is expressed either as a deviation in degrees Celsius or as a function of the actual temperature.
2. Thermocouple materials are normally supplied to meet the tolerances specified in the table for temperatures above –40 deg C. These materials however, may not fall within the tolerances for low temperatures given under Class 3 for Types T, E and K thermocouples. If thermocouples are required to meet limits of Class 3, as well as those of Class 1 and/or Class 2, the purchaser should state this, as selection of materials is usually required.

Thermocouple Wire Color Codes for T Type Thermocouples

ANSI MC96.1 United StatesInternational Color Code
to IEC 60584-3		 Redundant national colors
Thermocouple Grade Extension Grade BS 1843 DIN 43714
ANSI MC96.1 Type T ThermocoupleANSI MC96.1 Type T ExtensionIEC60584-3 Type T ThermocoupleBS1843 Type T ThermocoupleDIN 43714 Type T Thermocouple

Please click here for all thermocouple wire color codes.

Technical Information
Thermocouple Data
Other Types
Thermocouples with Basic End Seal 0.010" to 0.313" dia. Type T Thermocouple Basic SealInternal seal with bare conductors Type T Thermocouples with Pot Seal 0.010" to 0.313" dia. Type T Probes a large selection of plain and threaded pot seals supplied with tails or extension Wire (PVC, FEP, Fiberglass etc.) Thermocouple Probes with Miniature Plug 0.010" to 0.125" dia. Type T Thermocouple with Mini Plug fitted with a miniature thermocouple plug rated to either 428ºF, 572ºF, 797ºF or 1112ºF Thermocouples with Miniature Jack
0.010" to 0.125" dia. Type T Thermocouple with mini jackfitted with a miniature thermocouple jack rated to either 428ºF, 572ºF, 797ºF or 1112ºF with Standard Plug
0.062" to 0.250" dia. Type T Thermocouple with standard plugfitted with a standard thermocouple plug rated to either 428ºF, 572ºF, 797ºF or 1112ºF with Standard Jack
0.062" to 0.250" dia.Type T Thermocouple with standard jackfitted with a standard thermocouple jack rated to either 428ºF, 572ºF, 797ºF or 1112ºF with Lemo Connector
0.125" to 0.250" dia. Type T Probe with Lemo fitted with a size 1 Lemo plug
or jack with Terminal Entry Gland
0.040" to 0.313" dia. Thermocouple with TEG terminated with a 16mm ISO x 1.5mm compression gland seal supplied with tails or extension Wire (PVC, FEP Fiberglass etc.) with Micro die cast alloy head 0.125" to 0.250" dia. Thermocouple with Micro HeadMicro die cast alloy screw down terminal head with ceramic terminal block. Suitable for simplex and duplex assemblies with Miniature IP67 die cast head 0.125" to 0.313" dia.Probe with Mini headWeatherproof die cast alloy screw top terminal head with ceramic terminal block. Suitable for simplex and duplex assemblies with Standard IP67 die cast head 0.188" to 0.500" dia. Type T Thermocouple with standard headWeatherproof die cast alloy screw top terminal head with ceramic terminal block. Suitable for simplex, duplex and triplex assemblies with IP67 heavy duty cast iron head 0.188" to 0.500"dia. Type T Thermocouple cast iron headWeatherproof cast iron screw top terminal head with ceramic terminal block. Suitable for simplex, duplex and triplex assemblieswith IP67 Bakelite head
0.188" to 0.500"dia.Type T Thermocouple bakelite headWeatherproof Bakelite screw top terminal head with Bakelite terminal block. Suitable for simplex, duplex and triplex assemblies with alloy straight through head 0.188" to 0.500"dia.Type T Thermocouple straight alloy headDie cast alloy straight through terminal head with Bakelite terminal block. Suitable for simplex and duplex assemblies with 316 Stainless Steel head
0.188" to 0.500"dia. Type T Thermocouple steel headWeatherproof 316 stainless steel screw top terminal head with ceramic terminal block. Suitable for simplex and duplex assemblies with BUZ-H style top hat head
0.188" to 0.500"dia. Type T Sensor BUZ HeadWeatherproof die cast alloy screw down 'flip' terminal head. Mainly used for duplex assemblies where two transmitters can be fittedwith spring loaded terminal block 0.125", 0.188", 0.250" and 0.313" dia.Type T Sensor with terminal blockSpring loaded insert assemblies. The end seal is incorporated into a terminal block for mounting into any standard terminal head
Free Guide to Thermocouple and Resistance Thermometry

Type T Thermocouple Wire

There is a wide choice of thermocouple wire with various insulation materials, the choice of which is governed by the application and the ambient temperature wires will be exposed to:

Heat Resistant PVC Insulated Wire

Heat Resistant (HR) PVC is a popular choice for general use in the temperature range -22ºF to +220ºF. It is available in type t thermocouple in a wide variety of constructions from simple bellwire to shielded and armored types in virtually all of the thermocouple combinations. Flame Retardant PVC is also available.

PFA Insulated Wire

PFA is ideal for higher temperature applications up to 480ºF when PVC is not adequate. It is also excellent for temperatures down to -100ºF.

PFA will withstand attack from virtually all known chemicals, oils and fluids. All our PFA cables are made in extruded form and are therefore gas, steam and water tight which makes them most suitable for applicatiins such as autoclaves or sterilizers. We offer a wide variety of constructions from simple twisted pairs to shielded types in virtually all of the thermocouple combinations.

Fiberglass and Ceramic Fiber Insulated Wire

Excellent for high temperature applications up to 900ºF for Fiberglass, and 1475ºF for High Temperature Fiberglass and 2200ºF for Ceramic Fiber. They are suitable for use at normal air ambient temperatures where there is a possibility of a hot spot which might damage lower rated cables such as PVC or PFA.

We offer a wide variety of constructions from simple lapped and fiberglass braided to stainless steel braided types in virtually all of the thermocouple combinations.

XLPE Insulated Wire

These cables incorporate XLPE (Cross Linked Polyethylene) compound on the conductors and Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) material on the bedding and/or outer sheath. The sheathing materials used are Halogen free and the acidic gas which is evolved during combustion is less than 0.5% in accordance with IEC 60754-1. The mechanical properties of these cables meet the requirements of IEC 60811.

MICA/XLPE Insulated Wire

Resistant to a temperature of 1380°F for at least three hours in accordance with the flame test requirements of IEC 60331. These cables are essential for situations where it is of strategic importance to ensure that the cable continues to function during a major crisis involving fire. The cable incorporates a high temperature rated Mica glass tape with a XLPE (Cross Linked Polyethylene) insulation on the conductors and Low Smoke Zero Halogen material on the bedding and/or outer sheath. Sheathing materials are Halogen free.