thermoelementeistä

Thermoelementit, also known as thermocouples, are temperature-measuring devices. They consist of two dissimilar electrical conductors joined at one end, creating a junction. When this junction is exposed to a temperature difference compared to its other ends, a voltage is generated. This phenomenon is known as the Seebeck effect. The magnitude of the generated voltage is directly proportional to the temperature difference and the properties of the metals used.

The principle behind thermoelements relies on the fact that different metals have different electron densities and affinities. When heated, electrons in one metal gain more kinetic energy and migrate to the other metal. This creates an electric potential difference. By measuring this voltage, the temperature at the junction can be accurately determined.

Thermoelements are widely used due to their robustness, wide temperature range capabilities, and relatively low cost. They can measure temperatures from cryogenic levels up to several thousand degrees Celsius. Different combinations of metals are used to create various types of thermoelements, each suited for specific temperature ranges and environmental conditions. For example, Type K (chromel-alumel) is common for general-purpose applications, while Type B (platinum-rhodium) is used for high-temperature measurements. The output voltage is typically small, often in the millivolt range, and requires amplification and conversion for display or data logging.