Important Facts About Choosing Thermowells

Posted by Brett Slansky | 6:05 PM | 0 comments »

By Celia Hall


There are three types of thermowells and each type is suited for a different purpose. They are threaded, socket weld, and flanged welded. While they all have the same basic components that makes them equally well suited to do the job of protecting your temperature sensors, their design must be specific to the job at hand. This is why it is important to understand exactly what you need before installing the wrong one.

A threaded thermowell is the most basic and easiest to install. It has a threaded section at the top so that it can be screwed into the fitting. The design of this also means that it can be easily removed and replaced when needed.

The second type is the socket weld. This type is meant to be placed directly into a fitting where it will be welded into place. These are made to fit securely in their fittings so that they cannot be removed or tampered with.

And then there is the flanged weld. This one is also welded into place like the socket weld, the difference is that the top has a flat surface which remains above the fitting. This flat surface is used to attach other pieces. There are several different types to pick from. The first is the flat top which is flat against the surface so that it is out of the way. The second is a raised flat surface which makes it easier to attach things. And the third is a ring type joint.

Other things that need to be taken into consideration when purchasing thermowells include length. The length needs to be long enough to hold the temperature sensor fully, but not to long that it won't go all the way into the fitting. Take measurements of the length of the temperature sensor and the depth of the fitting before hand to ensure that the length is appropriate.

The diameter is another important element to consider. It is going to need to have an outer diameter that can fit smoothly into the fitting and have an inner diameter that can hold the temperature sensor snugly. This is important in that is will reduce the amount of movement and vibrations that the temperature sensor has to withstand allowing it to better do its job.

Shank construction needs to be considered when determining the outer diameter. There are three main choices available to choose from. The first is a straight shank which consists of a perfectly straight, tube like, construction. The second looks like a step, with a larger top and a thinner bottom tube. And the third comes in the form of a tapered tube. It starts out larger at the top and gradually becomes thinner forming a pointed end at the bottom. The type used depends entirely on the fitting where it will be placed.

The last thing to consider when purchasing thermowells is the materials which will be used. There are several choices but the decision depends on the environment in which it will be placed and the conditions it needs to withstand. The main materials used are stainless steel, brass, and monel.




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