Temperature Sensors

COX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Mikron Infrared, Inc.

Raytek Corporation

Guide to Temperature Sensors

Research temperature sensors before making a purchase for your company
By Rhyah Fletcher

A variety of industries use temperature sensing devices to monitor temperature fluctuations in autos, home appliances, medical devices and restaurant equipment and food. Depending on your industry, you may buy temperature sensors for regulating food storage, auto air conditioning units or home appliances, such as a water heater. Temperature sensors work by measuring changes in a physical characteristic, such as thermal radiation or emf.

The manufacturers of temperature sensors offer thermal profilers, thermocouple elements and thermocouple temperature probes for your company's temperature sensor needs. Certain suppliers of temperature sensors offer waterproof sensors and high temperature sensors that record temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. When researching information about temperature sensors, remember the following:

1. Suppliers offer temperature sensors for a variety of needs. Purchase a sensor that provides the monitoring capabilities your company needs.

2. All temperature sensors aren't created equal. There are sensors made for fluids, gases and electronics. There are also contact and non-contact temperature sensors, sensors that can withstand voltage and sensors that work within certain temperature ranges.

3. Small businesses can benefit from getting temperature sensors information, because smaller sensors, such as temperature sensor chips, can monitor the temperatures of computers and networks.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at different suppliers before choosing a temperature sensor Suppliers of temperature sensors offer different sensors and different deals. One supplier might have what you need, but by looking around, you can see if another supplier offers the same sensor for a cheaper price, less shipping cost or at a bulk discounted rate.

I recommend:  Compare and shop for different temperature sensors at Global Sources. An industry leader in electronics, the General Electric Company offers a selection of temperature sensors.

Buy temperature sensors specific to your needs Manufacturers of temperature sensors make sensors for specific needs. There are sensors that monitor environmental temperatures, sensors for computers, cars, water heaters, air conditioners, bearings and any other industry specific product.

I recommend:  Thermocouple temperature probes, from Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company, are perfect for measuring internal wall temperatures, heat sinks and circuit temperatures. Measure environmental temperatures with an environmentally specific temperature sensor from Enviromon.net.

Shop for thermal profilers if you produce continuous thermal products Thermal profilers are temperature sensors that can travel through an oven. These are ideal for companies that produce kilns, convection ovens or furnaces. Thermal profilers help determine the best heating and cooling temperatures in reflow ovens.

I recommend:  Get an instant price quote from Manncorp on their thermal profilers. Datapaq specializes in industry temperature profiling and offers a variety of different thermal profilers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Research on thermocouple metal types is important. Thermocouple elements have letter designations, signifying the type of metal along with any temperature ranges. The most common letters are K, N and T.