R x I2

R
OH

PxR

M
S

PS
AM

P
E

S
LT
VO E

W
AT
TS

ExI

TRANSCAT TECHNICAL REFERENCE

E
I

Thermocouple Wire Specifications

ANSI Color Code for Thermocouple and Thermocouple Extension Wire
Thermocouple Wire Color

ANSI
Type

T/C Extension Wire Color

Wire Alloys

Polarity

Individual

Overall

Individual

Overall

Copper
Constantan

+TP
-TN

Blue
Red

Brown

Blue
Red

Blue

Iron
Constantan

+JP
-JN

White
Red

Brown

White
Red

Black

Chromel
Constantan

+EP
-EN

Purple
Red

Brown

Purple
Red

Purple

Chromel
Alumel

+KP
-KN

Yellow
Red

Brown

Yellow
Red

Yellow

Platinum 13% Rhodium

Platinum

+RP
-RN

Black
Red

Green

Platinum 10% Rhodium

Platinum

+SP
-SN

Black
Red

Green

Platinum 30% Rhodium

Platinum 6% Rhodium

+BP
-BN

Grey
Red

Grey

Bare Thermocouple Wire Approximate Weight feet/lb

Wire
Ga
B&S
6
7
8
14
16
18
20
24
26
28
30
36

Wire
Size
Dia.
.162
.144
.128
.064
.050
.040
.032
.020
.015
.012
.010
.005

Iron
+JP
14.2
18.0
22.8
91.2
144.0
233.0
365.0
925.0
1478.0
2353.0
3736.0
14940.0

Type J
Constantan
-JN
12.6
20.2
80.9
127
207
324
821
1312
2089
3316
13260

Type K
Chromel
Alumel
+KP
-KN
13
13
21
83
130
212
331
838
1340
2130
3370
13500

21
83
130
212
331
838
1340
2130
3370
13500

Type T
Copper
Constantan
+TP
-TN
12.6
12.6

Type E
Chromel
Constantan
+EP
-EN
13
12.6

19.8
80.5
128
203
324
820
1299
2062
3294
13250

21
83
130
212
331
838
1340
2130
3370
13500

20.2
80.9
127
207
324
821
1312
2089
3316
13260

20.2
80.9
127
207
324
821
1312
2089
3316
13260

Nominal Thermocouple Resistance Ohms per Double Foot @ 68F (20C)

Wire
Ga
B&S
6
*7
8
14
16
18
20
24
26
28
30
36

Wire
Size
Dia.
.162
.144
.128
.064
.050
.040
.032
.020
.015
.012
.010
.005

ANSI Types
J
.014
.021
.022
.089
.141
.229
.357
.905
1.441
2.297
3.650
14.660

K
.023

T
.012

E
.027

S
.007

R
.007

B
.008

.036
.147
.232
.377
.588
1.488
2.450
3.590
6.020
24.080

.019
.074
.117
.190
.297
.754
1.200
1.920
2.940
12.220

.044
.176
.277
.450
.702
1.778
2.840
4.330
7.190
28.800

.010
.044
.069
.112
.175
.449
.701
1.062
1.794
7.150

.010
.044
.069
.113
.178
.453
.708
1.073
1.813
7.226

.013
.054
.086
.139
.218
.550
.875
1.392
2.213
8.897

American
Wire
Gauge
(AWG)

Size
Dia.
Inches

7/0
6/0
5/0
4/0
3/0
2/0
1/0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

0.5800
0.5165
0.4600
0.4096
0.3648
0.3249
0.2893
0.2576
0.2294
0.2043
0.1819
0.1620
0.1443
0.1285
0.1144
0.1019
0.0907
0.0808
0.0720
0.0641
0.0571
0.0508
0.0453
0.0403
0.0359
0.0320
0.0285
0.0253
0.0226
0.0201
0.0179
0.0159
0.0142
0.0126
0.0113
0.0100
0.00893
0.00795
0.00708
0.00630
0.00561
0.00500
0.00445
0.00396
0.00353
0.00314
0.00280
0.00249
0.00222
0.00198
0.00176
0.00157
0.00140
0.00124
0.00111
0.00099

* Double feet 7 Ga Type J= 7 Ga Iron/8 Ga Constantan

CALL:

800-828-1470

FAX: 800-395-0543

WEB: www.transcat.com

Thermocouple Wire Specifications

Thermocouple Wire Specifications (continued)
Selection and Use of Thermocouple
and Thermocouple Extension Wire
Thermocouple wire can be fabricated into accurate and
dependable thermocouples by joining the thermoelements together
at the sensing end. Thermocouple wire or thermocouple extension
wire must be used to extend thermocouples to indication or control
instrumentation. The conditions of measurement determine the
type of thermocouple wire and insulation to be used. Temperature
range, environment, protection, insulation requirements, response,

and service life should be considered. The following parameters

serve as a guide to the selection of wire. For a basic application study,
refer to Maelin literature "Applying the Systems Concept to
Thermocouple Installations," an ISA reprint.

Temperature Limits for Thermocouple Wire

Temperature limits for standard thermocouples that are protected
with a closed end protecting tube are shown. These limits are
suggested for continuous temperature sensing where insulation is
not a factor. For unprotected thermocouples where fast response is
required, these limits should be reduced for equivalent service life.

Upper Temperature Limits for Thermocouples

ANSI
TYPE
SYMBOL
Copper-Constantan
T
*Iron-Constantan
J
E
Chromel-Constantan
Chromel-Alumel
K
Nicrosil-Nisil
N
Platinum10% Rhodium
S
Platinum13% Rhodium
R
Platinum30% vs. 6% Rhodium
B
Tungsten26% Rhenium
WR
Tungsten3% vs. 25% Rhenium
W3
Tungsten5% vs. 26% Rhenium
W5

WIRE GAUGE (AWG)

Thermocouple Type

* Magnetic

Trade Mark Hoskins Mfg. Co.

8 Gal
760C (1400F)
870C (1600F)
1260C (2300F)
1260C (2300F)

14 Gal
370C (700F)
600C (1100F)
650C (1200F)
1100C (2000F)
1100C (2000F)

20 Gal
260C (500F)
500C (900F)
550C (1000F)
1000C (1800F)
1000C (1800F)

24 Gal
200C (400F)
370C (700F)
430C (800F)
870C (1600F)
870C (1600F)
1480C (2700F)
1480C (2700F)
1700C (3100F)
2300C (4200F)
2300C (4200F)
2300C (4200F)

30 Gal
150C (300F)
320C (600F)
430C (800F)
760C (1400F)
760C (1400F)

= Not ANSI Symbol

Insulation Characteristics
Insu.
Code

Insulation Description
Individual/Overall

Continuous Use
Single Exposure
Temperature Limits Temperature Limit

601
603

PVC/PVC
PVC Rip Cord

-20 to +221F
-29 to +105C

605

Polyvinyl/Polyvinyl
Twisted & Shielded

-20 to +176F
-29 to 80C

Moisture
Resistance

Abrasion
Resistance

221F
105C

Excellent
"

Good
"

176F
80C

Excellent
"

Good
"

606

Nylon/Nylon

350F

Fair

Excellent

607
608

Teflon on Singles (FEP)

Teflon/Teflon (FEP ext.)

400F
204C

600F
316C

Excellent
"

Excellent
"

609

Teflon/Teflon
TFE Tape

-90 to 500F
-68 to 260C

600F
316C

Excellent
"

Very Good
"

610

Teflon/Teflon FEP
Twisted & Shielded

400F
204C

600F
316C

Excellent
"

Excellent
"

611

TFE, Synthetic Fiber/

Synthetic Fiber

500F
260C

700F
371C

Good
"

Good
"

612

FEP, Fiberglass/
Fiberglass

400F
204C

600F
316C

Good
"

Good
"

618

Ceramic Fiber/
Ceramic Fiber

2600F
1430C

2600F
1430C

Fair
"

Fair
"

620

Vitreous Silica Fiber/

Vitreous Silica Fiber

1600F
871C

2000F
1093C

Fair
"

Fair
"

622

High Temp. Glass/

High Temp. Glass

1300F
704C

1600F
871C

Fair
"

Fair
"

623

High Temp. Fiberglass

Twisted

1300F
704C

1300F
704C

Fair
"

Fair
"

628

Fiberglass/Fiberglass

900F
482C

1000F
538C

Good to
400F (204C)

Fair
"

SS Overbraid

Excellent

CALL:

800-828-1470

FAX: 800-395-0543

WEB: www.transcat.com

OH

PxR

M
S

S
LT
VO E

PS
AM

P
E

ExI

TRANSCAT TECHNICAL REFERENCE

W
AT
TS

R x I2

E
I