Thermocouples (App Note)
Thermocouples are common tools in the field of temperature measurement, known for their responsiveness, low cost, and wide measurement range. These devices function based on the thermoelectric effect, where a circuit of two dissimilar metals generates a voltage, which can correlated with temperature.
This application note explains the basic operation of thermocouples, their advantages and limitations, as well as how they can be leveraged in conjunction with LabJack equipment to optimize temperature measurement tasks.
If you are measuring in the range of -50 to +150 °C, consider using a silicon type temperature sensor rather than a thermocouple. See the Temperature Sensors application note.
Understand the difference between resolution and accuracy.