Thermocouple Seebeck Voltage

V = S × ΔT

Quick answer

This calculator solves V = S × ΔT for Thermocouple Voltage. With Seebeck Coefficient 0.5, Temperature Difference 50 °C, the result is 25 V. It solves in 3 directions, so you can enter the values you have and get the one you need.

Calculator

Thermocouple Voltage (µV)
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Formula

V = S × ΔT

Description

A thermocouple generates a voltage proportional to the temperature difference between its measurement junction and its reference (cold) junction, with the proportionality constant being the Seebeck coefficient S. This is a linearized approximation; real thermocouple voltage is a polynomial function of temperature. Common types and their approximate Seebeck coefficients: Type K (chromel-alumel) ≈ 41 µV/°C, Type J (iron-constantan) ≈ 52 µV/°C, Type T (copper-constantan) ≈ 43 µV/°C, Type E (chromel-constantan) ≈ 61 µV/°C.

Variables

  • V — Output voltage (µV level, entered in base unit V)
  • S — Seebeck coefficient (µV/°C, entered as V/°C in base units)
  • ΔT — Temperature difference between hot and cold junctions (°C)

Practical Notes

The Seebeck coefficient varies with temperature, so this linear model is accurate only for small temperature ranges. For precision measurements, use NIST polynomial tables for the specific thermocouple type. Cold junction compensation (CJC) is required because the reference junction is not at 0°C — either use a physical ice bath or an electronic CJC sensor. Thermocouple signals are very small (typically mV) and require high-gain, low-noise amplification.

Symbols and units

Symbol Meaning Default unit Accepted units
V Thermocouple Voltage µV pV, nV, µV, mV, V, kV
S Seebeck Coefficient — —
dT Temperature Difference °C °C

Step by step

  1. 1. What you know: Seebeck Coefficient 0.5, Temperature Difference 50 °C
  2. 2. The relation: V = S × ΔT
  3. 3. Substitute: S = 0.5, dT = 50 °C
  4. 4. Result: Thermocouple Voltage = 25 V

Worked examples

Minimum range

Given: Seebeck Coefficient 0.025, Temperature Difference 2.5 °C

Result: Thermocouple Voltage = 62.5 mV

Low range

Given: Seebeck Coefficient 0.25, Temperature Difference 25 °C

Result: Thermocouple Voltage = 6.25 V

Typical

Given: Seebeck Coefficient 0.5, Temperature Difference 50 °C

Result: Thermocouple Voltage = 25 V

High range

Given: Seebeck Coefficient 0.8, Temperature Difference 85 °C

Result: Thermocouple Voltage = 68 V

Maximum range

Given: Seebeck Coefficient 8, Temperature Difference 850 °C

Result: Thermocouple Voltage = 6.8 kV

Solving for each variable

Solve for Thermocouple Voltage

Seebeck Coefficient 0.025, Temperature Difference 2.5 °C → 62.5 mV

Solve for Seebeck Coefficient

Thermocouple Voltage 1 µV, Temperature Difference 2.5 °C → 4 × 10⁻⁷

Solve for Temperature Difference

Thermocouple Voltage 1 µV, Seebeck Coefficient 0.025 → 4 × 10⁻⁵ °C

How Thermocouple Voltage changes with Seebeck Coefficient

Seebeck Coefficient (input) Thermocouple Voltage (result)
0.05 2.5 V
0.125 6.25 V
0.25 12.5 V
0.375 18.75 V
0.5 25 V
0.75 37.5 V
1 50 V
2 100 V
3.5 0.175 kV
5 0.25 kV

The same result in other units

Unit Value
mV 25000
V 25
kV 0.025

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Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate Thermocouple Seebeck Voltage?

Use V = S × ΔT. With Seebeck Coefficient 0.5, Temperature Difference 50 °C, Thermocouple Voltage works out to 25 V.

How do you calculate chromel seebeck voltage?

Rearrange for Thermocouple Voltage: with Seebeck Coefficient 0.25, Temperature Difference 25 °C, Thermocouple Voltage is 6.25 V.

What is the formula for Thermocouple Seebeck Voltage?

The formula is V = S × ΔT. A thermocouple generates a voltage proportional to the temperature difference between its measurement junction and its reference (cold) junction, with the proportionality constant being the Seebeck coefficient S.

How do you find Seebeck Coefficient when you know the other values?

Rearrange for Seebeck Coefficient: with Thermocouple Voltage 1 µV, Temperature Difference 2.5 °C, Seebeck Coefficient is 4 × 10⁻⁷.

How do you find Temperature Difference when you know the other values?

Rearrange for Temperature Difference: with Thermocouple Voltage 1 µV, Seebeck Coefficient 0.025, Temperature Difference is 4 × 10⁻⁵ °C.

What units does Thermocouple Seebeck Voltage use?

Thermocouple Voltage is shown in mV, V, kV. Values are held in SI base units internally, so you can mix prefixes without converting by hand.