Technical Reference for Thermocouples and Reistance Temperature Detectors (RTD)

industrial temperature sensor transmitter with mounting flange and head
One of many industrial
temperature sensor
configurations
Smart Sensors, Inc.
Temperature measurement is probably employed in process control more than any other physical property measurement. Methodology for temperature measurement is well established, as is the industry providing instruments and devices for acquiring temperature data from almost any facet of any process. If you are even peripherally involved in process measurement and control, having a solid understanding of how thermocouples and RTDs work is a requisite to solving problems or servicing customers.

One manufacturer of a comprehensive line of thermocouple and RTD assemblies, Smart Sensors, Inc., produced a technical manual with all you need to know about temperature sensors for process measurement and control. The manual is included below for easy reference. It covers:

  • Thermocouple theory
  • RTD and thermocouple specification criteria
  • Cable specifications for both sensor types
  • Comparison of thermocouple and RTD attributes
  • Thermowell and protection tube specification and selection
  • Specifying temperature sensors for hazardous areas
  • Reference data tables for both sensor types
  • Practices for improving temperature measurement
  • Calibration
The tech manual should be on the shelf or cloud drive of anyone involved in accomplishing, interpreting, or maintaining temperature measurement. The configuration options for temperature sensor assemblies are extensive. Reach out to a product application specialist and combine your process knowledge with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions to temperature measurement challenges.