using thermocouple in a Multimeter without temperature option

[made2hack]

Hey all,

I have a Fluke 21 (Rev I) the original 21, which does not have a temperature option for a thermocouple. I also have a Mastech M92X one-hung-low which also does not have any temperature option.

Can I still use a thermocouple to measure temperature? For example, plug it in and determine via the Voltage or mVoltage reading what the temperature is? If I can, what calculations do I need from the Thermocouple data sheet to determine temperature?

Thanks,

[David Hess]

The extra thermocouple junctions formed where the thermocouple plugs into the multimeter require cold-junction compensation for this to work which can be provided by something like a Fluke 80TK thermocouple module.

[Lightages]

As David Hess said, yes but not very well. The Fluke 80TK will make a good job of it but it costs as much as a good multimeter itself. It is probably better to get a separate cheap temperature meter or another multimeter something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digitek-DT-2843R-AC-DC-True-RMS-Multimeter-with-Backlight-and-Temperature-/171080136251
or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brymen-BM257-Digital-Multimeter-6000-count-Brand-New-Fluke-alternative-/200922627340

[David Hess]

My expensive handheld multimeter has cold junction compensation built in and with a thermocouple to banana jack adapter, it is about as accurate as the Fluke 80TK thermocouple modules that I have.  A side effect of the cold junction compensation is that the multimeter itself shows both the thermocouple temperature and the ambient temperature simultaneously.

I picked up the Fluke 80TK thermocouple modules that I have on Ebay for cheap.  With two of them, I can use them with 3 of my TM500 series multimeters to display two temperature and the difference in temperature simultaneously.

[plesa]

If the range -200 to +600 °C is comply with your requirements I recomends  to use the pt100 rather than themocouple. There is no cold junction error.
On ohm range  ( 1mA current source ) you just needs to create conversion table based on your pt100.

[Wytnucls]

Can I still use a thermocouple to measure temperature? For example, plug it in and determine via the Voltage or mVoltage reading what the temperature is? If I can, what calculations do I need from the Thermocouple data sheet to determine temperature?

Theoretically, it can be done, but it won't be very accurate, as the voltages are very small.
A K-type thermocouple has an approximate conversion of 41uV per degree Celsius.
The voltage reading will be relative to the unknown cold junction temperature. In a lab, that would be close to the ambient temperature.
A more accurate solution, but less practical, is to keep the cold junction at 0 degrees in an ice bath.

[mzzj]

As others already pointed out buying separate meter for temperature is probably the best option. But you can also use existing hardware assuming they have sufficient uV-range resolution for thermocouples.
1. Immerse the cold junction to ice water bath. Laborous but best in accuracy. Standard method in any temperature calibration laboratory.
2. Guestimate the cold junction temperature and compensate your math accordingly.  Viable method if 5 K error is acceptable.
3.  Use separate meter to measure cold juntion/ambient temp and calculate based on that.
4. Ignore the cold juntion temperature if 25K or something like that error is acceptable(ie when measuring over  1500K temperatures with K-type the 25K error is pretty much nothing)
NIST website has thermovoltage vs. Temperature tables and equations for calculating the voltage to temperature.

[made2hack]

the price of the 80TK (+ shipping + customs to EU) is high, I mean, close to buying a second hand Fluke that already has the temperature option. Not sure if it is the right option.

I'm thinking of a 5$ ebay one hung low K-Type thermometer such as this one TM 902C Digital LCD K Type Thermometer Single Input + Thermocouple Probe

I think a forum member did a review and it looks acceptable for my needs ( I want to use it in a toaster oven for reflow).

http://youtu.be/c-QOXHjHhjs

[IanB]

the price of the 80TK (+ shipping + customs to EU) is high

You could also try searching for the Extech 381277. It's less expensive than the Fluke option.

[paul18fr]

Can I still use a thermocouple to measure temperature? For example, plug it in and determine via the Voltage or mVoltage reading what the temperature is? If I can, what calculations do I need from the Thermocouple data sheet to determine temperature?

The tables and the polynomials can be found in ASTM E230 standard
without cold junction, you measure the e.m.f resulting of the temperature you would like to measure plus the room one due to the junction of the thermocouple with the multimeter -> depends on the accuracy you're looking for ;
(quite easy to make the cold junction if you've 2 copper wires and Teflon sheaths)

Paul

[mzzj]

Can I still use a thermocouple to measure temperature? For example, plug it in and determine via the Voltage or mVoltage reading what the temperature is? If I can, what calculations do I need from the Thermocouple data sheet to determine temperature?

The tables and the polynomials can be found in ASTM E230 standard
without cold junction, you measure the e.m.f resulting of the temperature you would like to measure plus the room one due to the junction of the thermocouple with the multimeter -> depends on the accuracy you're looking for ;
(quite easy to make the cold junction if you've 2 copper wires and Teflon sheaths)

Paul

NIST website have the tables and coefficients for most of the thermocouple types for free, no need to go shopping for ASTM standards.
http://srdata.nist.gov/its90/menu/menu.html

[charlespax]

Hey all,

I have a Fluke 21 (Rev I) the original 21, which does not have a temperature option for a thermocouple. I also have a Mastech M92X one-hung-low which also does not have any temperature option.

Can I still use a thermocouple to measure temperature? For example, plug it in and determine via the Voltage or mVoltage reading what the temperature is? If I can, what calculations do I need from the Thermocouple data sheet to determine temperature?

Yes you can. However, you will probably not have very good precision and your accuracy will be terrible.

1. Measure the room temperature. If your multimeter has been in the room for a while, you can assume this as your junction temperature.
2. Use your multimeter to measure thermocouple temperature.
3. Find your voltage in the K-type lookup table
4. Add the room temperature to temperature in the lookup table. This is basically the cold junction compensation.

Now you can stick your thermocouple in ice water or put it in a flame and see how the temperature changes. This will not be good for quantified measurements, but it should be fun to play with.