Types of Thermocouple Wire

The table below lists the types of Thermocouple Wire:

ANSI Code ANSI MC 96.1 Color Coding Alloy Combination Comments Max/Min Temperature Rage EMV (mV) Over Max Temperature Range IEC 584-3 Color Coding
Thermocouple Grade Extension Grade + Lead - Lead Thermocouple Grade Instrinsically Safe
J ANSI TC Type J ANSI Extension IRON Fe (magnetic) CONSTANTAN COPPER- NICKEL Cu-Ni Reducing, Vacuum, Inert. Limited Use in Oxidizing at High Temperatures. Not Recommended for Low Temperatures. –210 to 1200°C
–346 to 2193°F		 –8.095 to
–69.553		 Type J Thermocouple IEC color code Type J Thermocouple IEC (Intrinsically Safe)
K Type K Thermocouple ANSI Color Code Type K Thermocouple Extension Color Code CHROMEGA® NICKEL- CHROMIUM Ni-Cr ® ALOMEGA
NICKEL- ALUMINUM Ni-AI (magnetic)		 Clean Oxidizing and Inert. Limited Use in Vacuum or Reducing. Wide Temperature Range, Most Popular Calibration –270 to 1372°C
–454 to 2501°F		 –6.458 to
–54.886		 Type K Thermocouple IEC Color Code Type K IEC Intrinsically Safe Color Code
T Type T Thermocouple Color Code Type T Thermocouple Extension Color Code COPPER Cu CONSTANTAN COPPER- NICKEL Cu–Ni Mild Oxidizing, Reducing Vacuum or Inert. Good Where Moisture Is Present. Low Temperature & Cryogenic Applications –270 to 400°C
–454 to 752°F		 –6.258 to
–20.872		 Type T Thermocouple IEC Color Code Type T Thermocouple Intrinsically Safe Color Code
E Type E Thermocouple ANSI Color Code Type E Thermocouple Extension ANSI Color Code CHROMEGA® NICKEL- CHROMIUM Ni-Cr CONSTANTAN COPPER- NICKEL Cu-Ni Oxidizing or Inert. Limited Use in Vacuum or Reducing. Highest EMF Change Per Degree –270 to 1000°C
–454 to 1832°F		 –9.835 to
+ 76.373		 Type E Thermocouple Wire IEC Color Code Type E Thermocouple Wire IEC Intrinsically Safe Color Code
N Type N Thermocouple ANSI Color Code Type N Thermocouple ANSI Extension Color Code OMEGA-P® NICROSIL Ni-Cr-Si OMEGA-N® NISIL Ni-Si-Mg Alternative to Type K. More Stable at High Temps –270 to 1300°C –450
to 2372°F		 –4.345
to 47.513		 Type N Thermocouple IEC Color Code Type N Intrinsically Safe IEC Color Code
R NONE ESTABLISHED Type R Thermocouple Extension ANSI Color Code PLATINUM- 13% RHODIUM Pt-13% Rh PLATINUM Pt Oxidizing or Inert. Do Not Insert in Metal Tubes. Beware of Contamination. High Temperature –50 to 1768°C –58
to 3214°F		 –0.226
to 21.101		 Type R Thermocouple IEC Color Code Type R Thermocouple Intrinsically Safe IEC Color Code
S NONE ESTABLISHED Type S Thermocouple Extension ANSI Color Code PLATINUM- 10% RHODIUM Pt-10% Rh PLATINUM Pt Oxidizing or Inert. Do Not Insert in Metal Tubes. Beware of Contamination. High Temperature –50 to 1768°C
–58 to 3214°F		 –0.236
to 18.693		 Type S Thermocouple IEC Color Code Type S Thermocouple Intrinsically Safe IEC Color Code
U NONE ESTABLISHED Type U Thermocouple Extension ANSI Color Code COPPER Cu COPPER-LOW NICKEL Cu-Ni Extension Grade Connecting Wire for R & S Thermocouples, Also Known as RX & SX Extension Wire.     Type U Thermocouple IEC Color Code Type U Thermocouple Intrinsically Safe IEC Color Code
B NONE ESTABLISHED Type B Thermocouple Wire Extension ANSI Color Code PLATINUM- 30% RHODIUM Pt-30% Rh PLATINUM- 6% RHODIUM Pt-6% Rh Oxidizing or Inert. Do Not Insert in Metal Tubes. Beware of Contamination. High Temp. Common Use in Glass Industry 0 to 1820°C
32 to 3308°F		 0 to 13.820 Type B Thermocouple IEC Color Code Type B Thermocouple IEC Intrinsically Safe Color Code
G*
(w)		 NONE ESTABLISHED Type G Thermocouple Wire Extension ANSI Color Code TUNGSTEN W TUNGSTEN- 26% RHENIUM W-26% Re Vacuum, Inert, Hydrogen. Beware of Embrittlement. Not Practical Below 399°C (750°F). Not for Oxidizing Atmosphere 0 to 2320°C
32 to 4208°F		 0 to 38.564 NO STANDARD USE ANSI COLOR CODE
C*
(w5)		 NONE ESTABLISHED Type C Thermocouple Wire Extension ANSI Color Code TUNGSTEN- 5% RHENIUM W-5% Re TUNGSTEN- 26% RHENIUM W-26% Re Vacuum, Inert, Hydrogen. Beware of Embrittlement. Not Practical Below 399°C (750°F) Not for Oxidizing Atmosphere 0 to 2320°C
32 to 4208°F		 0 to 37.066 NO STANDARD USE ANSI COLOR CODE
D*
(w3)		 NONE ESTABLISHED Type D Thermocouple Wire Extension Color Code TUNGSTEN- 3% RHENIUM W-3% Re TUNGSTEN- 25% RHENIUM W-25% Re Vacuum, Inert, Hydrogen. Beware of Embrittlement. Not Practical Below 399°C (750°F)–Not for Oxidizing Atmosphere 0 to 2320°C
32 to 4208°F		 0 to 39.506 NO STANDARD USE ANSI COLOR CODE

* Not official symbol or standard designation

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