Can K-type thermocouple compensation wires be used as instrument cables?
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Dear teachers, instruments have been added on-site; there are no cables, but spare K-type thermocouple compensation wires are available. Can a compensation wire be used as an instrument cable? What are the impacts?
No, the compensation wire is an extension of the thermocouple material and is used to compensate for measurement errors caused by changes in ambient temperature. The compensation wire has a relatively high resistance, so it cannot be used as a regular wire
Temporary relief might work, but it’s not suitable for long-term use. This depends on the material of the thermocouple; for example, K-type thermocouples are made of nickel-chromium-nickel-silicon, which has a high resistance value, resulting in more heat generation compared to those with copper cores
The resistance of the compensation cable is 10 to 20 times that of the signal cable. Applicable when the line impedance is met. Analyze other aspects as well, such as price, interference resistance, and so on