Thermocouple Construction & Junctions

Thermocouple sensors are available with one of three main Thermocouple junction types: grounded, insulated or exposed as pictured below.

• In an ungrounded or insulated probe the thermocouple junction is isolated from the outer sheath material, this reduces any electrical interference and provides a stable reading but results in a slower response time and is often more expensive than grounded or exposed alternatives.

• At the tip of a grounded thermocouple, the thermocouple junction is physically attached and is an integral part of the outer sheath. Response time is faster than that of an ungrounded junction as a result of good heat transfer from the sheath to the thermocouple junction; however readings can sometimes be unstable.

• An exposed junction either has no outer sheath or the thermocouple junction extends beyond the sheath. They are not recommended for use in corrosive environments but offer a very fast response time at a low cost in the right application.

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