Pipe temp vs. fluid temp / Thermocouple install

[pjauff]

Hello,

Suppose if I were to measure outside surface pipe temperatures with a contact thermocouple (wrapped in duct tape or something), how accurate would this be in a 1/4" copper pipe? I'm trying to save some time for my degree project and was wondering if this is a viable option.

If not, does anyone have an idea how to get a thermocouple inside of a pipe cheaply? I was originally going to use these special NPT pipe thermocouples but they were too expensive

Regards,

Patrick

[nike123]

http://tinyurl.com/2zxyek

[TRASH101]

if using contact thermocouple then try using heat sink paste this will improve both response and accuracy. If you need to prove accuracy then I suggest mapping your thermocouple to known temperatures.

[pjauff]

Thanks for your responses, I'm going to try the heat sink paste.

How would I go about mapping the thermocouple to a known temp? I'm unfamiliar with this.

[Brian_UK]

Start with boiling water, 100°C, 212°F and melting ice 0°C, 32°F.

Calibrate your sensors/thermometer to those two temperatures and you should be OK.