Choosing a Thermocouple Measurement Device

Publish Date: Mar 19, 2015

Overview
This document outlines considerations when building instrumentation systems for thermocouple temperature sensors. It also provides an overview of NI measurement devices that meet the needs
of these sensor types.

Table of Contents
1. Signal Conditioning for Thermocouple Sensors
2. NI-Compatible Thermocouples
3. Platforms for Measuring Thermocouples
Learn more about the Fundamentals of Thermocouples before you begin.

1. Signal Conditioning for Thermocouple Sensors

Thermocouple output signals are typically in the millivolt range, and generally have a very low temperature to voltage sensitivity, which means that you must pay careful attention to the sources of
errors that can impact your measurement accuracy. The primary sources of error for thermocouple measurements are:
Cold-junction compensation (CJC) errors
Offset and gain errors
Noise errors
Thermocouple errors

CJC Errors
CJC errors represent the difference between the actual temperature at the point where the thermocouple is connected to the measurement device (the cold-junction temperature) and the
measured temperature by the device. The CJC error is roughly a 1:1 contributor to the accuracy of the temperature measurement of the thermocouple, and it is often one of the largest single
contributors to the overall accuracy. The overall CJC error includes the error from the CJC temperature sensor (often a thermistor) used to sense the cold-junction temperature, the error from the
device measuring the CJC sensor, and the temperature gradient between the cold junction and the CJC sensor. Of these three errors, the temperature gradient between the cold junction and the
CJC sensor is generally the largest, and it typically has the largest variation. The error from the CJC sensor can be a large contributor in many devices; however, high-accuracy thermistors or
resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) with small errors are common in many high-end thermocouple measurement devices.
The error from the temperature gradient between the cold junction and the CJC sensor is where you generally have the most control. A well-designed thermocouple device can often minimize this
error considerably; however, the magnitude of this error still often depends on the environment in which the thermocouple device is used. Because the error comes from the temperature difference
between the cold junction and the CJC sensor, anything that can introduce a temperature gradient in a thermocouple device influences this error. Maintaining your thermocouple device in a stable
environment with minimal temperature variation and low air flow is the best way to improve CJC accuracy. Adjacent heat sources, such as other instruments, can also affect CJC accuracy. Some
devices have a single CJC sensor for many channels, while others may have multiple CJC sensors. As a general rule, devices with a low ratio of channels to CJC sensors are less susceptible to
errors from temperature gradients. Refer to the device documentation for specifics about CJC accuracy and other recommendations for improving overall CJC accuracy.

Offset and Gain Errors

Because thermocouples often output signals very close to 0 V and have a full input range that is measured in millivolts, offset errors from the measurement device can be a large contributor to
overall accuracy. Many devices support a built-in autozero function that measures the internal offset of the circuit automatically. If a device supports built-in autozero, this is often the best way to
compensate for offset errors and offset drift in the measurement device. Read the device documentation to determine if autozero is supported. If autozero is not supported, pay careful attention to
the contribution of the offset error specification to the overall accuracy of the measurement device and ensure that the device is regularly calibrated.
Gain errors are proportional to the input voltage, so they generally have the largest impact when thermocouples are measuring temperatures at the edge of their supported ranges.

Noise Errors
Thermocouple output signals are typically in the millivolt range, making them susceptible to noise. Noise can be introduced either by the external environment or by the measurement device.
Lowpass filters are commonly used in thermocouple DAQ systems to effectively eliminate high-frequency noise in thermocouple measurements. For instance, lowpass filters are useful for
removing the 50 Hz and 60 Hz power line noise that is prevalent in many laboratory and manufacturing settings.
For measurement devices with a large input range, you can also improve the noise performance of your system by amplifying the low-level thermocouple voltages near the signal source
(measurement point) to match the output range of the thermocouples. Because thermocouple output voltage levels are very low, you should choose a gain or input range for the device that
optimizes the input limits of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The output range of all thermocouple types falls between -10 mV and 80 mV.
Another source of noise is caused by thermocouples being mounted or soldered directly to a conductive material such as steel or being submerged in conductive liquids such as water. When
connected to a conductive material, thermocouples are particularly susceptible to common-mode noise and ground loops. Isolation helps prevent ground loops from occurring, and can dramatically
improve the rejection of common-mode noise. With conductive materials that have a large common-mode voltage, isolation is required because nonisolated amplifiers cannot measure signals with
large common-mode voltages.

Thermocouple Errors
These errors are introduced by the thermocouple. The voltage generated by the thermocouple is proportional to the temperature difference between the point where the temperature is measured
and the point where the thermocouple connects to the device. Temperature gradients across the thermocouple wire can introduce errors due to impurities in the metals, which can be large relative
to most measurement devices. Refer to the thermocouple documentation to understand its accuracy impact on the overall measurement.

2. NI-Compatible Thermocouples
For cost-sensitive applications, NI offers
ready-made thermocouples and individual
packets of thermocouple wire with the measuring
junction provided at one end. These
thermocouples are available in 1 m (39.4 in.) and
2 m (78.7 in.) lengths. For shorter lengths, trim
the thermocouple to the desired length and then
install it into your application. Ready-made
thermocouples are ideal for starter or educational
applications.
Features
Ready-Made

Available in 1 m and 2 m lengths

Available in J, K, T, and E types
Ideal for starter and educational applications
Measures up to 900 F (482 C)
Measuring junction provided
NI field-cuttable thermocouples meet a wide

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NI field-cuttable thermocouples meet a wide

variety of temperature application needs. With
field-cuttable thermocouples, you can cut the
probe to the desired length from 3.5 in. to 24 in.
(8.9 cm to 61 cm). Therefore, you can use one
stock of thermocouples for all your temperature
measurements, which reduces inventory cost and
production downtime. Available in grounded and
ungrounded versions, these probes can measure
up to 900 F(482 C). For applications using
thermal wells, the optional spring-loaded fitting
reduces installation time while ensuring contact
with the thermal well. Each probe has glass braid
insulated leads and is sold individually.

Field-Cuttable

Features
Available in J, K, T, and E types
Cuttable from 24 in. to 3.5 in.
Measures up to 900 F (482 C)
Reduces inventory cost and downtime
Use extension wire to connect your thermocouple
elements to your measurement and automation
systems in less harsh environments. It is
important to match your extension wire type to
your thermocouple element type. Otherwise,
errors can be introduced into your system.
Features
Available in 30 m and 300 m spools
Available in Jx, Kx, Tx, and Ex types
Extension Wire

3. Platforms for Measuring Thermocouples

Compact Measurements

Benchtop or Field Measurements

A CompactDAQ system consists of a chassis, NI C Series I/O
modules, and software. Chassis can connect to a host computer
over USB, Ethernet, or 802.11 WiFi or operate stand-alone with
a built-in controller. With over 50 measurement-specific
modules and 1-, 4-, and 8-slot chassis, CompactDAQ provides
a flexible, expandable platform to meet the needs of any
electrical or sensor measurement system.
Multiple timing engines for multiple acquisition rates
Advanced counter functionality from NI-STC3 technology
What Is CompactDAQ?

Embedded Data-Logging Measurements

Extreme Ruggedness and Advanced Control

CompactDAQ controllers offer a high-performance platform

for embedded measurements and data logging. Controllers
feature an integrated computer and nonvolatile storage, so
that CompactDAQ can be deployed without an external
computer.

CompactRIO is a reconfigurable embedded control and

acquisition system. The CompactRIO hardware architecture
includes a reconfigurable FPGA chassis and an embedded
controller. You can use CompactRIO in a variety of embedded
control and monitoring applications.

Includes Intel multicore processing, up to 32 GB

nonvolatile storage, and 2 GB RAM

A variety of reconfigurable chassis featuring an FPGA for

custom timing, analysis, and control

Simultaneously stream continuous measurements with

sample rates up to 1 MS/s per channel

Open embedded architecture with small size and

extreme ruggedness

What Is NI CompactDAQ?

What Is CompactRIO?

C Series I/O Modules With Integrated Signal Conditioning for Temperature With Thermocouples

NI 9214

Thermocouple Data LoggerUp to 16 Channels

For C Series I/O modules specifically designed for the measurement of thermocouples, NI
offers the NI 9211, NI 9213, and the NI 9214. These modules contain all of the signal
conditioning required to measure thermocouples simultaneously. They also feature 24-bit ADCs
for up to 0.02 C measurement sensitivity. The NI 9213 and NI 9214 have a higher channel
count, up to 16 channels, and 250 Vrms channel-to-earth ground safety isolation. The NI 9214
also provides an isothermal terminal block for measurement accuracy up to 0.45 C, several
CJC sensors, and an autozero channel for offset error compensation.

This thermocouple data logger consists of one 4-channel ( NI 9211), 16-channel (NI 9213), or
isolated 4-channel (NI 9219) C Series thermocouple module and one USB ( NI 9171), 802.11a/b
wireless (NI 9191), or Ethernet (NI 9181) single module carrier. Each module is specifically
designed for thermocouple measurements and features integrated signal conditioning that
provides direct connectivity to your sensors. The 24 bits of resolution along with built-in CJC
offer superior accuracy. The isolated 4-channel module includes 250 Vrms channel-to-earth
ground isolation for safety, noise immunity, and high-common-mode voltage range.

NI 9211, NI 9213, NI 9214 Measurement Systems

Thermocouple Data Logger

High-Performance and High-Channel-Count Systems

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The PXI platform offers a variety of chassis, controller, and module options so you can create a measurement system to meet your specific application needs. The SC Express strain modules can
provide up to 0.02 percent accuracy at up to 102.4 kS/s. PXI scales to thousands of strain and bridge-based measurement channels for large applications and provides both wired and wireless
synchronization options.
Configurable desktop, rack-mount, and distributed multichassis solutions
Compatibility with a wide range of sensors and transducers
More than 1,500 PXI modules available, including CAN, vision, motion, and GPS
PXI I/O Modules With Integrated Signal Conditioning for Measuring Thermocouples
The SC Express family features PXI Express DAQ modules with integrated signal conditioning for sensor measurements, such as thermocouples and other temperature transducers.

NI PXIe-4353
32-Channel, 24-Bit, Thermocouple Input Module
The NI PXIe-4353 thermocouple input module provides integrated DAQ and signal conditioning for temperature measurements. This module includes increased accuracy and synchronization
features for scalable measurement systems from low- to high-channel counts.
The NI PXIe-4353 features 32 channels with three 24-bit ADCs and operates with high-speed (90 S/s per channel) and high-resolution (1 S/s per channel) modes. It is designed to be highly
accurate with 0.3 C typical accuracy for the module and terminal block. The module has two autozero channels for offset compensation as well as open thermocouple detection to identify
disconnected thermocouples.
The high accuracy is attributed to the TB-4353 isothermal terminal block that includes eight CJC channels. It has a unique design that optimizes thermal conductivity between the thermocouple
terminals and the CJCs for an isothermal error as low as 0.25 C. The TB-4353 is a front-mount terminal block with screw terminal connectivity.
NI PXIe-4353 product details

NI InstantDAQ Technology
The USB-TC01 thermocouple measurement device features InstantDAQ technology so you can instantly take temperature measurements with your
PC. Just plug it in and built-in software for viewing and logging data automatically loads. No driver installation is necessary. Connect to any USB port
to use your PC as a display and monitor data in real time. The USB-TC01, which is compatible with J, K, R, S, T, N, and B thermocouples, uses a
standard miniplug for easy thermocouple connection.
Additional applications for generating alarms, scheduled logging, logging to a spreadsheet file, and logging under threshold conditions are available as
free downloads. For even further customization, you can build your own applications with LabVIEW graphical programming and NI-DAQmx driver
software (requires version 9.1 or later).
USB-TC01

Learn more about Making a Thermocouple Measurement With LabVIEW .

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