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Thermocouple Colour Codes
Type |
Temperature
range °c (continuous) |
Temperature range °c (short term) |
Tolerance
class 1 (°c) |
Tolerance
class 2 (°c) |
IEC
Colour code |
BS
Colour code |
Notes |
K |
0
to +1100 |
-180
to +1300 |
-40
to +375 ± 1.5 °c, 375 to 1000 ± 0.004*[t]°c |
-40
to +333 ± 2.5 °c, 333 to 1200 ± 0.0075*[t]°c |
 |
 |
The
most common sensor, wide range, good in oxidising
atmosphere. |
J |
0
to +700 |
-180
to +800 |
-40
to +375 ± 1.5 °c, 375 to 750 ± 0.004*[t]°c |
-40
to +333 ± 2.5 °c, 333 to 750 ± 0.0075*[t]°c |
 |
 |
Good
in dry & reducing atmospheres. |
N |
0
to +1100 |
-270
to +1300 |
-40
to +375 ± 1.5 °c, 375 to 1000 ± 0.004*[t]°c |
-40
to +333 ± 2.5°c, 333 to 1200 ± 0.0075*[t]°c |
 |
 |
Fairly
new to market. High stability. |
R |
0
to +1600 |
-50
to +1700 |
0
to +1100 ± 1.0°c, 1100 to 1600 ± (1+0.003
(t-1100))*[t]°c |
0
to +600 ± 1.5 °c, 600 to 1600 ± 0.0025*[t]°c |
 |
 |
High
temperatures. Used in UK. Usually in ceramic sheath. |
S |
0
to 1600 |
-50
to +1750 |
0
to +1100 ± 1.0 °c, 1100 to 1600 ± (1+0.003(t-1100))*[t]°c |
0
to +600 ± 1.5°c, 600 to 1600 ± 0.0025*[t]°c |
 |
 |
High
temperatures. Usually in ceramic sheath. |
B |
+200
to +1700 |
0
to +1820 |
Not
Available |
600
to 1700 ± 0.0025*[t]°c |
No
standard use copper wire |
No
standard use copper wire |
Very
high temperatures. Always protected by high purity
ceramic. |
T |
-185
to +300 |
-250
to +400 |
-40
to +125 ± 0.5°c, 125 to 350 ± 0.004*[t]°c |
-40
to +133 ± 1.0°c,133 to 350 ± 0.0075*[t]°c |
 |
 |
Cryogenic
sensor. Copes with water present. |
E |
0
to +800 |
-40
to +900 |
-40 to + 375 ± 1.5°c,
375 to 800 ± 0.004*[t]°c |
-40
to +333 ± 2.5°c, 333 to 900 ± 0.0075*[t]°c |
 |
 |
High
EMF output. |
Notes
Maximum temperature depends on actual application conditions and sensor design. Tolerances are sourced from BS EN 60584.2:1993