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Type K Temperature Sensor 012-05563D
Operation
Connecting and Using the Sensor
Attach the probe’s two prong connector to the sensor
box at the port marked TYPE K THERMOCOUPLE
PROBE INPUT. The two prong connector can go into
the port only one way because one of the prongs is
wider than the other. Connect the 8-pin DIN plug
from the sensor box to Analog Channel A, B, or C on
the computer interface box.
Touch the bare wire end of the sensor to the object to
be measured or place the sensor end into the solution
to be measured. To prevent damage to the sensor or
the insulating material,
do not put the insulated part of
the sensor in a flame or put the insulation in contact
with a heat source above +482°C.
➤ NOTE: IF YOU NEED TO MEASURE A
TEMPERATURE HIGHER THAN +400 °C,
USE THE CI-6536 HIGH TEMPERATURE
TYPE-K THERMOCOUPLE PROBE. (See the
PASCO catalog for more information.)
Using the Sensor in Mild Chemical Solutions
The Type-K Thermocouple is designed to be used in
water and mild chemical solutions when measuring
the temperature of a liquid. The bare wire end of the
thermocouple has been tested for several minutes in
the following chemicals without damage:
acetone sodium hydroxide (lye)
household bleach ethylene glycol butyl ether
isopropyl alcohol ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
naphtha sulfuric acid (battery acid)
vinegar glacial acetic acid
paradichlorobenzene water
• Carefully rinse off any chemicals after each use.
Using the optional Teflon Sensor Cover
A package of ten Teflon Sensor Covers is available
from PASCO (part number CI-6549). See the PASCO
catalog for more information.
Use the optional Teflon FEP sensor cover when the
thermocouple probe must be placed in strong chemi-
cal solutions that may damage the probe.
Calibrating the Sensor
The sensor is designed to produce 0.003 V ± 0.005 V
at 0 °C and 10 milliVolts per degree C. Therefore, the
sensor does not need to be calibrated. Instead, the out-
put voltage can be converted directly into a tempera-
ture. For example, an output voltage of 1.234 Volts
equals a temperature of 123.4 °C.
However, you can calibrate the sensor using a two-
point calibration process.
To calibrate the sensor you will need an accurate ther-
mometer, ice water (0 °C), and boiling water (100 °C).
Calibrating the Sensor Using DataStudio
Assume for this example that the Type-K Thermo-
couple Temperature Sensor is connected to Analog
Channel A of the interface and that you do not have
any other sensors connected to the interface.
Start the DataStudio program. Select “Setup” from the
DataStudio toolbar. The interface and sensor should
appear in the setup window.
Select “Calibrate Sensors…” from the Experiment
Setup toolbar. Be sure that “2 point (Adjust Slope and
Offset)” is selected under “Calibration Type”.
Calibration Point #1: Place the bare wire end of the
thermocouple in the ice water. Also put the thermom-
eter in the ice water. The monitor screen will show the
voltage value produced by the sensor. When the ther-
mometer reading is almost zero, enter the reading in
the “Standard Value” box for Calibration Point 1, then
click the “Read From Sensor” button for Calibration
Point 1.
Calibration Point #2: Place the sensor and thermom-
eter in boiling water. The monitor screen will show the
new voltage produced by the sensor. When the ther-