JSPM’s

Rajarshi Shahu College of

Engineering, Pune
Department of Electrical
Engineering

Academic Year: 2021-2022

Semester: I Class: SY
Subject : Electrical Engineering Material

Experiment No.1

Title: To understand the principle of thermocouple & to obtain characteristics of

different thermocouples

Aim: To observe and plot the characteristics of thermocouple based on see back
effect

Apparatus: Thermocouple.

Theory:
Based on seed back effect, thermocouple is a transducer commonly used in temperature
measurement for range 0°C to 4000°C. It is a self-generating transducer. It is a pair of dissimilar
metallic conductors joined so as to produce an e.m.f when their junctions are at different
temperature. Magnitude of e.m.f. generated depends upon the difference of magnitude of
temperature as well as material of the conductor of thermocouple.
Combination used for base metal of thermocouple varies from applications to applications. It mostly
depends upon temperature range of -270°C to 1853°C.
Thermocouples are low in cost, reliable in service, easy to use over a wide range of temperature
measurements and have a very good time response.
When two wires of different metals are joined at their ends and the junction ends are maintained at
different temperature, then e.m.f. exists across the junction. An e.m.f. cause current to flow from
hot junction to cold junction up to certain temperature. If the temperature of the junction increases
beyond the maximum value, then the current or voltage decreases and becomes zero at a particular
temperature. If the temperature of the hot junction is increased further, the current reverses and the
increases.
The total e.m.f. generated in a thermocouple circuit is known as seed back e.m.f. This is the sum of
two e.m.f. s namely peltier e.m.f. and Thomson e.m.f. The direction and magnitude of the peltier
e.m.f. depends upon temperature of junction and metal forming the junction. Tho mson effect is
connected with the reversible evolution or absorption of heat in a conductor having a temperature
gradient when electric current flows through it. The total e.m.f. generated in a thermocouple circuit
is the result of four e.m.f. s due to the Peltier effect and due to Thomson’s effect the e.m.f. can be
measured by milivoltmeter or potentiometer. In case of milivoltmeter, an e.m.f. generated is
measured, when current flowing through circuit, which does not have an effect of contact resistance
in lead wire. Whereas in case of potentiometer an e.m.f. equal to that developed by the thermocouple
and having opposite sign in applied to obtain a null position on a galvanometer are very costly.
Usually, one junction of thermocouple is kept at a reference point and the other one is kept at a
location where the temperature is needed to be measured.
The thermocouple may be prepared by twisting the two wires together and brazing or welding. The
wires may be separated with the help of insulating bends or sleeves.
The thermocouple may be used in parallel or a series combination.

Thermocouples are classified according to the different temperature range as follows-

Sr.
Thermocouple Temperature Characteristics
No
Cu- Constantan
1. -250°C to 400°C. It stands against corrosion
(40% Ni , 60% Cu)
It corrodes in moisture and this is
2. Fe - Constantan -200°C to 850°C.
cheaper
It is resistant to oxidation but
3. Chromel -Alumel -220°C to 1100°C.
reducing temperature.
It is suitable for oxidation, but not
4. Chromel - Constantan -200°C to 850°C.
for reducing temperature
Platinum-Platinum
It is only suitable for noxidizing
5. Rhodium 0°C to 2600°C.
temperatures.
(90% Pt. ,10%Rh)
Tungsten – Tungsten It is suitable for non reducing
6. 0°C to 2600°C.
Rhenium temperature

Applications:
Thermocouples are practically useful for the applications requiring remote indication or reading of
temperature. If one junction is held at a known constant temperature, the e.m.f. produced becomes
a measure of temperature of other junction. This is principal of thermocouple parameter.
Procedure:
1. Before switching on the hot plate, record the thermocouple output for room temperature.
2. Switch on the hot plate.
3. Take the readings of different temperature & e.m.f.
Plot the graph Temperature (°C) vs. Voltage (mV)
Observation Table:
Initial Temperature:

Temp. (°C) Voltage (mVolts)

Conclusion: