16 Basic Hardware REFLOW TRACKER
All have green type-K connectors (conforming to IEC 60584-3).
WARNING
Never connect thermocouples to mains electricity, nor allow thermocouples to
touch an oven’s heating elements. This could cause major injury or death.
Take care when handling thermocouple cables to avoid accidental damage to the
eyes by sharp thermocouple-tips.
Thermocouple Specification
Probe
Type
Temperature
Range
Cable Insulation Accuracy of Probes Supplied
by Datapaq (ANSI MC96.1)
K −150°C to 1,370°C Glass fiber or PTFE ±1.1°C or ±0.4% at 0–1,250°C
The presence of a probe on the product adds to the product’s thermal mass,
changing – however slightly – its rate of heating and cooling. To minimize the
probe’s thermal mass, and therefore its affect on the product, the type K
probes supplied with the Reflow Tracker system are constructed from 0.2-mm
wire.
Thermocouple Cables
The practical operating temperature of the thermocouple probes is limited by
the cable insulation material’s temperature characteristics.
Probes insulated with thin glass fiber, impregnated with a silicone resin binder,
are suitable for use at temperatures up to 500°C continuously and 700°C short
term and should be used if the probe cables could come into close
proximity with infra-red heating elements.
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)-insulated probes are suitable for general-
purpose use at temperatures up to 260°C. PTFE is a robust, flexible, non-stick
material, with a low thermal mass and therefore a quick response time. This is
the standard insulation for reflow use, though it cannot be used when probe
cables may be close to infra-red heating elements.
WARNING
PTFE does not support combustion, but decomposes above 265°C producing small
amounts of toxic fumes.
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