What Are Thermocouples?
Thermocouples are temperature sensors composed of two different metal conductors.
They have metal conductor wires at the tip. By bringing the ends of these wires into contact to create a closed circuit, thermocouples measure temperature based on the voltage generated by the Seebeck effect.
The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon where a temperature difference applied to a conductor generates a voltage, known as the Seebeck coefficient, proportional to the temperature difference. The voltage produced depends on the types of metals used and the temperature difference between them.
Thermocouples offer rapid responsiveness and the capability to measure temperatures over a wide range. They come in two types: noble metal thermocouples, which use high-melting-point precious metals, and base metal thermocouples, which do not use precious metals. The choice of metal conductors determines the temperature range for measurement.