June 25, 2012 AT 11:05 am
UPDATED TUTORIAL: Thermocouple
We have an updated tutorial, thermocouples!
Unlike semiconductor temperature sensors such as the TMP36 , thermocouples have no electronics inside them, they are simply made by welding together two metal wires. Because of a physical effect of two joined metals, there is a slight but measurable voltage across the wires that increases with temperature. The type of metals used affect the voltage range, cost and sensitivity, which is why we have a few different kinds of thermocouples. The main improvement of using a thermocouple over a semiconductor sensor or thermistor is that the temperature range is very much increased. For example, the TMP36 can go from -50 to 150°C, after that the chip itself can be damaged. Common thermocouples on the other hand, can go from -200°C to 1350°C (K type) and there are ones that can go above 2300°C!
Read more & also check out our Thermocouple Amplifier MAX31855 breakout board (MAX6675 upgrade) – v1.0.
Check out all the Circuit Playground Episodes! Our new kid’s show and subscribe!
Have an amazing project to share? Join the SHOW-AND-TELL every Wednesday night at 7:30pm ET on Google+ Hangouts.
Join us every Wednesday night at 8pm ET for Ask an Engineer!
Learn resistor values with Mho’s Resistance or get the best electronics calculator for engineers “Circuit Playground” – Adafruit’s Apps!
Maker Business — “The Entire History of Kickstarter Projects, Broken Down by City”
Wearables — Glow with fur
Electronics — USB Powered Mayhem!
Biohacking — mPort is Making a 3D Body Scanner Booth
No Comments
No comments yet.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.