Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thermocouples

| Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
  1. #1
    Hypoman started this thread.
    Hypoman's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,268
    Thanks
    2,772
    Thanked 1,331 Times in 512 Posts

    Exclamation Thermocouples

    When tearing apart a gas furnace, water heater or stove(the three "main" gas appliances that scrappers get) You should always set aside the thermocouple. It may contain Platinum! There are 11 different types of thermocouples>>>HOLY COW!! AAAAAÀ, WHAT DO I DO! Learn how to identify the type you have you silly goose!!!!!!!
    BUUUUUT FIRST! CHECK OUT THIS LINK TO LEARN ABOUT
    THERMOCOUPLE T H E O R Y
    http://www.sensortecinc.com/docs/technical_resources/Thermocouple_Theory.pdf



    The types of thermocouple are:
    K: Chromel NOT IMPRESSED! http://www.ladyada.net/learn/sensors/thermocouple.html FOR more info on type K

    E: Chromel-constantan WEEEEAKKKK

    J:Iron- Constantan BOOOO

    N:Nicrosil-Nisil PUSHHSHHHHHAW
    Last edited by Hypoman; 03-31-2012 at 12:56 AM.
    Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.
    Thomas Jefferson

  2. The Following 7 Users say Thank You for This Post by Hypoman:



  3. #2
    Hypoman started this thread.
    Hypoman's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,268
    Thanks
    2,772
    Thanked 1,331 Times in 512 Posts
    B: Platinum-Rhodium SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

    R: Platinum-Rhodium " "


    S: Platinum-Rhodium SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

    T: Copper-Constantan

    C:Tungsten-Rhenium

    M: Nickel, Cobalt, Molybdenum

    no pic........ sorry

    Chromel-gold/iron

    nor here AAAAAAAH

    FYI-----> CONSTANTAN IS A COPPER AND NICKEL ALLOY :eek: :eek:
    Last edited by Hypoman; 03-31-2012 at 12:58 AM.

  4. The Following 8 Users say Thank You for This Post by Hypoman:


  5. #3
    Hypoman started this thread.
    Hypoman's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,268
    Thanks
    2,772
    Thanked 1,331 Times in 512 Posts
    HERE IS AN INTERNATIONAL COLOR CODE FOR CERTAIN TYPES FOR YOU VIEWING PLEASURE!!!!!!!!!!!



    :confused:

  6. The Following 7 Users say Thank You for This Post by Hypoman:


  7. #4
    Hypoman started this thread.
    Hypoman's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,268
    Thanks
    2,772
    Thanked 1,331 Times in 512 Posts
    Type K (Chromel / Alumel)
    Type K is the ‘general purpose’ thermocouple. It is low cost and, owing to its popularity, it is available in a wide variety of probes. Thermocouples are available in the -200 °C to +1200 °C range. Sensitivity is approx 41 µV/°C. Use type K unless you have a good reason not to.

    Type E (Chromel / Constantan)
    Type E has a high output (68 µV/°C) which makes it well suited to low temperature (cryogenic) use. Another property is that it is non–magnetic.

    Type J (Iron / Constantan)
    Limited range (-40 to +750 °C) makes type J less popular than type K. The main application is with old equipment that can not accept ‘modern’ thermocouples. J types should not be used above 760 °C as an abrupt magnetic transformation will cause permanent decalibration.

    Type N (Nicrosil / Nisil)
    High stability and resistance to high temperature oxidation makes type N suitable for high temperature measurements without the cost of platinum (B,R,S) types. Designed to be an ‘improved’ type K, it is becoming more popular.

    Thermocouple types B, R and S are all 'noble' metal thermocouples and exhibit similar characteristics. They are the most stable of all thermocouples, but due to their low sensitivity (approx 10 µV/°C) they are usually only used for high temperature measurement (>300 °C).

    Type B (Platinum / Rhodium)
    Suited for high temperature measurements up to 1800 °C. Unusually type B thermocouples (due to the shape of their temperature / voltage curve) give the same output at 0 °C and 42 °C. This makes them useless below 50 °C.

    Type R (Platinum / Rhodium)
    Suited for high temperature measurements up to 1600 °C. Low sensitivity (10 µV/°C) and high cost makes them unsuitable for general purpose use.

    Type S (Platinum / Rhodium)
    Suited for high temperature measurements up to 1600 °C. Low sensitivity (10 µV/°C) and high cost makes them unsuitable for general purpose use. Due to its high stability type S is used as the standard of calibration for the melting point of gold (1064.43°C).


    HOW DOES THIS HELP ME !!!!!

    BECAUSE THE HOTTER AN APPLIANCE NEEDS TO GET( ALL THE WAY FROM HOME FURNACES TO INDUSTRIAL FURNACES AT THE STEEL MILLS!!!!!) THE MORE VALUABLE A THERMOCOUPLE YOU HAVE !!! WOO-HOO!


    DON'T FORGET KIDDOS, THERMOCOUPLES ARE STARTING TO BE USED IN ELECTRONICS!!!!!


    http://www.picotech.com/applications/thermocouple.html
    Last edited by Hypoman; 03-31-2012 at 01:52 AM.

  8. The Following 9 Users say Thank You for This Post by Hypoman:


  9. #5
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    boise, ID
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanks
    469
    Thanked 1,462 Times in 668 Posts
    Thanks Hypoman, I'm going to start another bucket for thermocouples.

  10. #6
    BRASSCATCHER's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    2,476
    Thanks
    3,436
    Thanked 3,965 Times in 1,383 Posts
    Thanks hypo man another thread I just subscribed to...thanks again
    I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” John Wayne-- The Shootist

    NEWBS READ THIS THREAD ABOUT REFINING!!!!
    http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/off-t...ning-read.html

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to BRASSCATCHER for This Post:


  12. #7
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Feb 2012
    Location
    OK
    Posts
    5,728
    Thanks
    6,814
    Thanked 3,464 Times in 1,989 Posts
    Thanks! Hypoman How timely! I just began my first old (60s? ish) furnace, and have another one yet to retrieve

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to Bear for This Post:


  14. #8
    Ohio Scrapper's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jul 2011
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Posts
    336
    Thanks
    467
    Thanked 298 Times in 160 Posts
    Excellent information Hypoman, thanks for taking the time to post it!

  15. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Ohio Scrapper:


  16. #9
    mikeinreco's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2011
    Location
    TENNESSEE
    Posts
    4,972
    Thanks
    1,257
    Thanked 5,023 Times in 2,350 Posts
    Ok now who do I market these to.....EBAY?

  17. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by mikeinreco:


  18. #10
    BurlyGuys's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Waterford Michigan
    Posts
    1,591
    Thanks
    1,109
    Thanked 1,620 Times in 635 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by freonjoe View Post
    Thanks Hypoman, I'm going to start another bucket for thermocouples.
    Yeah, me too!
    Burly Smash![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
    John Terrell (248) 224-2188
    Burly Guys Junk Removal LLC
    5499 Perry Drive Unit P Waterford, MI 48329
    http://www.burlyguys.com

  19. #11
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Feb 2012
    Location
    OK
    Posts
    5,728
    Thanks
    6,814
    Thanked 3,464 Times in 1,989 Posts
    Mine had 3 little sensors wired in at several levels (middle ways up, 3/4s, and another near the top), Would the "thermocouple" be near the pilot light? where the fire is at? I saw one piece thought was a temperature thing, I'd cut the wire taking it apart, just looked like solid copper about 12 or 14 ga

  20. #12
    Hypoman started this thread.
    Hypoman's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,268
    Thanks
    2,772
    Thanked 1,331 Times in 512 Posts
    it should be right next to it b/c it has to regulate the temp thats coming off of it.

  21. #13
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Feb 2012
    Location
    OK
    Posts
    5,728
    Thanks
    6,814
    Thanked 3,464 Times in 1,989 Posts
    has a little sending unit end on it, i'm expecting that's the thermocoupler on this one, basically just copper i guess

  22. #14
    Hypoman started this thread.
    Hypoman's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,268
    Thanks
    2,772
    Thanked 1,331 Times in 512 Posts
    To quick test a wire to see if it is platinum: Heat the wire to red hot and air cool, if the wire looks exactly the same as before you heated it..... it's probably platinum! If it is discolored or rainbow colored.... it is not.

    This info came straight from a refiner so I bet it works!

  23. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Hypoman:


  24. #15
    NHscrapman's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jan 2013
    Location
    new hampshire
    Posts
    1,582
    Thanks
    4,076
    Thanked 2,175 Times in 941 Posts
    bump for awesome information!!!
    There ain't nothing wrong with an honest days work. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool.- Old Man

  25. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by NHscrapman:


  26. #16
    eesakiwi's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    2,531
    Thanks
    2,909
    Thanked 2,556 Times in 1,227 Posts
    I have been told that on the Platinum thermocouples. The Platinum wire is not just in the tip, its the whole length of the wire as well.

    This makes sense to me, any metal/metal connection is actually a 'thermocouple' and you want to only have one connection and thats the one that reads the tempature.
    If theres more than one connection, as that heats up, its makes its own thermocouple and changes the gauges reading.

    I have been saving every thermocouple I find. Microwaves, ovens, washing machines, dryers etc etc, I guess they are not worth much untill I find out what they are made of.

  27. The Following User Says Thank You to eesakiwi for This Post:


  28. #17
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    elkton,md
    Posts
    1,062
    Thanks
    8,524
    Thanked 1,470 Times in 600 Posts
    Gotta love the archives! Thanks for bumping this thread NH! I have a barrel of them some where. Never knew about the platinum on some. Great info.

  29. #18
    chrenton's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Feb 2018
    Location
    california
    Posts
    9
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts
    We buy a similar looking part, but this part only... no thermocouples.

    NEVER cut the flex capillary on a mercury flame sensor!

    Buying Mercury Flame Sensors, $30 each (= $150 lb!) Limited time only!
    White Rodgers brand ONLY. Models 3098-134, 3098-xxx, 3049-xxx, 3094-xxx, (xxx can be any number after dash) 3046-5, 30A46-5.


    Full article at Scrap Metal Forum: https://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scra...#ixzz5tKimtac3

  30. #19
    kirstenblain's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    May 2020
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    20
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
    Would a solder iron have a thermocoupler?

    I’m pretty new to this, so I’m trying to get my mind thinking outside the box.

  31. #20
    eesakiwi's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    2,531
    Thanks
    2,909
    Thanked 2,556 Times in 1,227 Posts
    Not likely, unless its a IC soldering station or something fancy.

    I now know that I'm unlikely to find a rare earth metal thermocouple. Most of the ones i find are in electronics & are 1/2 Iron.



Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook