Type R Thermocouples and Type S Thermocouples
Type R and Type S Thermocouple Manufacture
We manufacture type R and S thermocouples to your specifications or as replacements to existing sensors. We have manufactured thermocouples for over 25 years and are solely focused on the design and manufacture of temperature sensors. Please call or email us to discuss your requirements.
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Type R and S Thermocouple Designs
Thermocouples can come in a variety of designs suited to different applications. View the details of each type of design we offer for Type R & S.
- Type R & S with Ceramic Sheaths – High-temperature design with ceramic protection sheath
- Type R & S with Metal Sheaths – High-temperature design with metal protection sheath
- Mineral Insulated Type R & S – Metal sheath insulated with magnesium oxide powder also called MIMS.
Thermocouple Type R and Type S Technical Details
Type S and R type thermocouples are the most popular rare metal thermocouple types. They are very similar in conductor construction. The main difference is that Type R is more popular in the UK whereas Type S is more popular in Europe. As the cost of Platinum and Rhodium is high in comparison to base metal thermocouples, Type S and Type R thermocouple wire can be recovered and recycled from failed thermocouples. The negative leg on a Type R or Type S thermocouple is pure Platinum and the positive leg is Platinum/Rhodium
Type R & Type S Thermocouple Temperature Range
Continuous:
Type R: 0 to +1600°C
Type S: 0 to +1600°C
Short Term:
Type R: -50 to +1700°C
Type S: -50 to +1700°C
Type R & Type S Thermocouple Material
Type R:
Platinum/Rhodium (87%Pt, 13%Rh) (+ Positive Leg)
Platinum (100%Pt) (- Negative Leg)
Type S:
Platinum/Rhodium (90%Pt, 10%Rh) (+ Positive Leg)
Platinum (100%Pt) (- Negative Leg)
Type R & Type S Thermocouple Tolerance Details
Tolerance Class 1
0 to +1100 ± 1.0°C
1100 to 1600 ± (1+0.003 (t-1100))*[t]°C
Tolerance Class 2
0 to +600 ± 1.5 °C
600 to 1600 ± 0.0025*[t]°C
Type R & Type S Thermocouple Colour Codes
IEC Colour Code
BS Colour Code
ANSI Colour Code
Type R Thermocouple Wire Colour
The Type R thermocouple wire colour is defined by international standards to make identification simple and reliable during installation and maintenance. Under the IEC (European) colour code system — which is standard in the UK — Type R thermocouple cables are marked with orange insulation. The positive leg, made from platinum–13% rhodium, is orange, while the negative leg, made from pure platinum, is white.
Because Type R thermocouples operate at very high temperatures (up to 1,600°C) and are often used in glass production, metallurgy, and laboratory furnaces, ensuring correct wiring and calibration is essential for long-term accuracy. At Peak Sensors, all our platinum-based thermocouples, including Type R and Type S, are manufactured and colour-coded according to IEC standards for total confidence and traceability in every application.
Type S Thermocouple Wire Colour
The Type S thermocouple wire colour is defined by international standards to simplify identification during installation and maintenance. Under the IEC (European) colour code system — which is standard in the UK — Type S thermocouple cables are marked with orange insulation. The positive leg, made from platinum–10% rhodium, is orange while the negative leg, made from pure platinum, is white.
Because Type S thermocouples operate at very high temperatures (up to 1,600°C) and are commonly used in industries such as glass production, metallurgy, and laboratory furnaces, ensuring correct wiring and calibration is vital for long-term accuracy.
Contact us
We’ve made Type R and Type S Thermocouples for over 25 years and today we are considered the best choice for custom built temperature sensors in the UK. We continue to apply our expertise and invest in the latest technology to provide our customers with the highest quality temperature sensors available.
Contact us with your requirements if you have an existing sensor design or are unsure what you need we’ll be able to find you get the right sensor for your process.
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