Thermal tracking: Clip-on temperature sensor accurate, easy to install

By Control Engineering Staff December 5, 2006

Clip-on temperature sensor assemblies from Spectrum Sensors and Controls feature accuracy of

St. Marys, PA —Clip-on temperature sensor assemblies from Spectrum Sensors and controls are said to provide a low-cost option for applications where ease of installation and excellent thermal tracking are important. Sensor assembly is tied to the pipe thermally with a specially designed copper clip to ensure good thermal contact with the copper tube. Sensor element features accuracy of

Sensor consists of an epoxy-coated NTC (negative temperature coefficient) thermistor with an internal construction that resists moisture by sealing the sensing element from the outside environment. Standard resistance values range from 2,252 O to 10 kO. Also available are internal thermistor constructions for applications not requiring moisture resistance and RTDs (resistance temperature detectors) and silicon PTC (positive temperature coefficient) sensor elements.

Construction and design of the clip reportedly allow the housing to be installed quickly and easily onto a straight section of copper tubing from 3/8- to 5/8-in. OD. For maximum accuracy, the company recommends wrapping a thermally insulating material over the sensor assembly, especially when there is a large temperature gradient between the tube and the outside air temperature.

—Control Engineering Daily News Desk Jeanine Katzel , senior editor