ASTM E839-11
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Sheathed Thermocouples and Sheathed Thermocouple Cable
Standard Test Methods for Sheathed Thermocouples and Sheathed Thermocouple Cable
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This standard provides a description of test methods used in other ASTM specifications to establish certain acceptable limits for characteristics of thermocouple assemblies and thermocouple cable. These test methods define how those characteristics shall be determined.
The usefulness and purpose of the included tests are given for the category of tests.
Warning—Users should be aware that certain characteristics of thermocouples might change with time and use. If a thermocouple’s designed shipping, storage, installation, or operating temperature has been exceeded, that thermocouple’s moisture seal may have been compromised and may no longer adequately prevent the deleterious intrusion of water vapor. Consequently, the thermocouple’s condition established by test at the time of manufacture may not apply later. In addition, inhomogeneities can develop in thermoelements because of exposure to higher temperatures, even in cases where maximum exposure temperatures have been lower than the suggested upper use temperature limits specified in Table 1 of Specification E608/E608M. For this reason, calibration of thermocouples destined for delivery to a customer is not recommended. Because the EMF indication of any thermocouple depends upon the condition of the thermoelements along their entire length, as well as the temperature profile pattern in the region of any inhomogeneity, the EMF output of a used thermocouple will be unique to its installation. Because temperature profiles in calibration equipment are unlikely to duplicate those of the installation, removal of a used thermocouple to a separate apparatus for calibration is not recommended. Instead, in situ calibration by comparison to a similar thermocouple known to be good is often recommended.
SCOPE
1.1 This document lists methods for testing Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed (MIMS) thermocouple assemblies and thermocouple cable, but does not require that any of these tests be performed nor does it state criteria for acceptance. The acceptance criteria are given in other ASTM standard specifications that impose this testing for those thermocouples and cable. Examples from ASTM thermocouple specifications for acceptance criteria are given for many of the tests. These tabulated values are not necessarily those that would be required to meet these tests, but are included as examples only.
1.2 These tests are intended to support quality control and to evaluate the suitability of sheathed thermocouple cable or assemblies for specific applications. Some alternative test methods to obtain the same information are given, since in a given situation, an alternative test method may be more practical. Service conditions are widely variable, so it is unlikely that all the tests described will be appropriate for a given thermocouple application. A brief statement is made following each test description to indicate when it might be used.
1.3 The tests described herein include test methods to measure the following properties of sheathed thermocouple material and assemblies.
1.3.1 Insulation Properties:
1.3.1.1 Compaction—direct method, absorption method, and tension method.
1.3.1.2 Thickness.
1.3.1.3 Resistance—at room temperature and at elevated temperature.
1.3.2 Sheath Properties:
1.3.2.1 Integrity—two water test methods and mass spectrometer.
1.3.2.2 Dimensions—length, diameter, and roundness.
1.3.2.3 Wall thickness.
1.3.2.4 Surface—gross visual, finish, defect detection by dye penetrant, and cold-lap detection by tension test.
1.3.2.5 Metallurgical structure.
1.3.2.6 Ductility—bend test and tension test.
1.3.3 Thermoelement Properties:
1.3.3.1 Calibration.
1.3.3.2 Homogeneity.
1.3.3.3 Drift.
1.3.3.4 Thermoelement diameter, roundness, and surface appearance.
1.3.3.5 Thermoelement spacing.
1.3.3.6 Thermoelement ductility.
1.3.3.7 Metallurgical structure.
1.3.4 Thermocouple Assembly Properties:
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Designation: E839 − 11
Standard Test Methods for
Sheathed Thermocouples and Sheathed Thermocouple
1
Cable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E839; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.3.2.4 Surface—gross visual, finish, defect detection by
dye penetrant, and cold-lap detection by tension test.
1.1 This document lists methods for testing Mineral-
1.3.2.5 Metallurgical structure.
Insulated, Metal-Sheathed (MIMS) thermocouple assemblies
1.3.2.6 Ductility—bend test and tension test.
and thermocouple cable, but does not require that any of these
1.3.3 Thermoelement Properties:
testsbeperformednordoesitstatecriteriaforacceptance.The
1.3.3.1 Calibration.
acceptance criteria are given in other ASTM standard specifi-
1.3.3.2 Homogeneity.
cations that impose this testing for those thermocouples and
1.3.3.3 Drift.
cable. Examples from ASTM thermocouple specifications for
1.3.3.4 Thermoelement diameter, roundness, and surface
acceptance criteria are given for many of the tests. These
appearance.
tabulated values are not necessarily those that would be
1.3.3.5 Thermoelement spacing.
requiredtomeetthesetests,butareincludedasexamplesonly.
1.3.3.6 Thermoelement ductility.
1.2 Thesetestsareintendedtosupportqualitycontrolandto
1.3.3.7 Metallurgical structure.
evaluate the suitability of sheathed thermocouple cable or
1.3.4 Thermocouple Assembly Properties:
assemblies for specific applications. Some alternative test
1.3.4.1 Dimensions—length, diameter, and roundness.
methods to obtain the same information are given, since in a
1.3.4.2 Surface—gross visual, finish, reference junction end
given situation, an alternative test method may be more
moisture seal, and defect detection by dye penetrant.
practical. Service conditions are widely variable, so it is
1.3.4.3 Electrical—continuity, loop resistance, and connec-
unlikely that all the tests described will be appropriate for a
tor polarity.
given thermocouple application. A brief statement is made
1.3.4.4 Radiographic inspection.
following each test description to indicate when it might be
1.3.4.5 Thermoelement diameter.
used.
1.3.4.6 Thermal response time.
1.3.4.7 Thermal cycle.
1.3 The tests described herein include test methods to
measure the following properties of sheathed thermocouple
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
material and assemblies.
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
1.3.1 Insulation Properties:
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
1.3.1.1 Compaction—direct method, absorption method,
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
and tension method.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
1.3.1.2 Thickness.
with the standard.
1.3.1.3 Resistance—at room temperature and at elevated
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
temperature.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3.2 Sheath Properties:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.3.2.1 Integrity—two water test methods and mass spec-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
trometer.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3.2.2 Dimensions—length, diameter, and roundness.
1.3.2.3 Wall thickness.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E3Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E20 on
Temperature Measurement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E20.04
2
on Thermocouples. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011. Published January 2012. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E839–05. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0839-11. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E839 − 11
E94Guide for Radiographic Examination 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
E112Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size 3.2.1 bulk cable, n—a single length of thermocouple cable
E165Practice for Liquid Penetrant Examination for General
produced from the same raw material lots after completion of
Industry fabrication.
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
3.2.2 cable lot, n—a quantity of finished
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E839–05 Designation:E839–11
Standard Test Methods for
Sheathed Thermocouples and Sheathed Thermocouple
1
MaterialCable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E839; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Thermocouples are widely used in industry and they provide reliable service. However, if
thermocouples fail in service, the consequences can range from negligible to life threatening. Often
a loss of equipment, product, or operating time will result. The user should weigh the potential
consequences of thermocouple failure when considering what tests should be performed. No tests are
required by this document except those specifically ordered by the user. This document lists methods
for testing sheathed thermocouples and thermocouple material but does not state criteria for
acceptance. The acceptance criteria for the particular thermocouple, when subjected to the tests, are
given in other ASTM standard specifications for that thermocouple. Examples from ASTM
thermocouple specifications for acceptance criteria are given for many of the tests. These tabulated
values are not necessarily those that would be required to meet these tests, but are given here as
examples only.
Users should be aware that certain characteristics of thermocouple materials, including the emf
versus temperature relationship may change with time in use; consequently, test results and
performance obtained at time of manufacture may not necessarily apply throughout an extended
period of use. It should be further noted that due to possible changes in homogeneity, attempting to
recalibrate used thermocouples is likely to yield irrelevant results, and is not recommended.
1. Scope
1.1These are test methods for sheathed thermocouple material and assemblies.
1.2Thetestsareintendedtoensurequalitycontrolandtoevaluatethesuitabilityofsheathedthermocouplematerialorassemblies
for specific applications. Some alternative test methods to obtain the same information are given, since in a given situation an
alternativetestmethodmaybemorepractical.Serviceconditionsarewidelyvariableandsoitisunlikelythatallthetestsdescribed
willbeappropriateforagiventhermocoupleapplication.Abriefstatementismadefollowingeachtestdescriptiontoindicatewhen
it might be used.
1.1 This document lists methods for testing Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed (MIMS) thermocouple assemblies and
thermocouple cable, but does not require that any of these tests be performed nor does it state criteria for acceptance. The
acceptance criteria are given in other ASTM standard specifications that impose this testing for those thermocouples and cable.
Examples fromASTM thermocouple specifications for acceptance criteria are given for many of the tests. These tabulated values
are not necessarily those that would be required to meet these tests, but are included as examples only.
1.2 These tests are intended to support quality control and to evaluate the suitability of sheathed thermocouple cable or
assemblies for specific applications. Some alternative test methods to obtain the same information are given, since in a given
situation, an alternative test method may be more practical. Service conditions are widely variable, so it is unlikely that all the tests
described will be appropriate for a given thermocouple application. A brief statement is made following each test description to
indicate when it might be used.
1.3 The tests described herein include test methods to measure the following properties of sheathed thermocouple material and
assemblies.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E20 on Temperature Measurement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E20.04 on
Thermocouples.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as E839–96 which was withdrawn
in August 2005 and reinstated in November 2005. DOI: 10.1520/E0839-05.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011. Published January 2012. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E839 – 05. DOI:
10.1520/E0839-11.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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