TC1

8 Channels Thermocouple, Independent 24-bit Sigma-Delta type

A thermocouple is a temperature-measuring device typically consisting of two dissimilar conductors that contact each other at one or more spots. It produces a voltage when the temperature of one of the spots differs from the reference temperature on other parts of the circuit. Thermocouple temperature sensors are widely used for measurement and control, and can also convert a temperature gradient into electricity.

In contrast to most other methods of temperature measurement, thermocouple modules are self-powered and require no external form of excitation. The biggest limitation with the thermocouple is accuracy; system errors of less than 1° C can be difficult to achieve. Thermocouples are suitable for measuring over a large temperature range, up to 2300° C. Applications include temperature measurement for rocket and/or jet engines, gas turbine exhaust, diesel engines, and other MIL/AERO/INDUSTRIAL embedded or test processes. They are arguably less suitable for applications where smaller temperature differences need to be measured with high accuracy (i.e., the range 0 – 100° C with 0.1° C accuracy). For such applications resistance temperature detectors may be more suitable.

External Thermo-block Interface

View ACC-ISO-THERM-BLK2 Datasheet

Equipped with an externally mounted (~3.0” x 1.75” x 0.75") iso-thermal interface/therminal block (optional accessory) for housing a cold-junction-compensation temperature sensor, the TC1 has a direct interface and automatically provides compensated measurements at accuracies up to ±0.2° C. As an option for certain rugged embedded systems and applications, the junction temperature offsets may be directly programmed for standalone operation or via ambient/junction temperature measurement by other means including internal temperature sensor.

The fundamental design is based on independent 24-bit Sigma-Delta A/D converters for each channel; therefore, the TC1 can be alternatively programmed and used for direct precision, low voltage measurements (±100 mV) in other low-voltage range A/D applications (i.e., shunt resistor voltage/current sense measurements).

The TC1 is designed for rugged, embedded “on-the-move” or laboratory-grade environments, and provides continuous Background Built-in-Test (BIT) capabilities for accuracy and “open” detection monitoring and flagging.