ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the factual principles of thermoelectric circuits that equip the user to easily apply thermocouples for reliable and critical thermometry, even in unusual circumstances with justified confidence. The need for large thermocouple output has been drastically reduced by the enhanced sensitivity, stability, and noise suppression of modern solid-state digital thermocouple indicators. These instruments can routinely indicate temperature to 0.1°C resolution and stability for all letter-designated types. Some thermocouple indicators are hand-held and accommodate only a single thermocouple and only of a single type. A few provide dual thermocouple inputs and allow direct differential temperature measurement for which reference junction compensation must not be directly applied. Other bench-top units accommodate several thermocouple inputs of the same or of intermixed thermocouple and other sensor types.
