• Thermocouple

Choose a platform below to see its compatibility requirements.

LabQuest

Interface	LabQuest App
LabQuest 3	Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)	Full support

Computers

	Software
Interface	Graphical Analysis	Logger Pro	Logger Lite
LabQuest Mini	Full support	Full support	Full support
LabQuest 3	Full support	Full support	Incompatible
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support	Full support	Full support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)	Full support 1	Full support	Full support 1
Go!Link	Full support	Full support	Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)	Full support	Full support	Full support
LabPro (discontinued)	Incompatible	Full support	Full support

Compatibility Notes

1. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.

Chromebook

	Software
Interface	Graphical Analysis
LabQuest Mini	Full support
LabQuest 3	Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)	Full support 1
Go!Link	Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)	Full support

Compatibility Notes

1. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.

iOS

	Software
Interface	Graphical Analysis	Graphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)	Full support	Full support
LabQuest 3	Full support 1	Full support 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support 1	Full support 1

Compatibility Notes

1. iOS and Android^™ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.

Android

	Software
Interface	Graphical Analysis	Graphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)	Full support	Partial support 1 2
LabQuest 3	Full support 3	Full support 3
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support 3	Full support 3

Compatibility Notes

1. Data can be collected using the sensor’s default calibration only.
2. New Thermocouples (Model: TCA1816R3) are not supported with this software. No Software updates are planned.
3. iOS and Android^™ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.

Arduino

	Software
Interface	Arduino
Vernier Arduino® Interface Shield	Full support

LabVIEW

	Software
Interface	NI LabVIEW
SensorDAQ (discontinued)	Full support
Vernier myDAQ Adapter	Full support 1
Go!Link	Full support
LabQuest Mini	Full support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)	Full support
LabQuest 3	Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)	Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)	Full support

Compatibility Notes

1. You can only read the raw count/raw voltage output by this sensor. You must do the programming to convert to proper sensor units.

Texas Instruments

	Software
Interface	EasyData	DataMate	TI-84 SmartView	DataQuest	TI-Nspire Software
EasyLink	Full support 1	Incompatible	Full support 2	Partial support 3	Partial support 2 3
CBL 2 (discontinued)	Full support 4	Partial support 3 4 5	Incompatible	Incompatible	Incompatible
LabPro (discontinued)	Full support 4	Partial support 3 4 5	Incompatible	Incompatible	Incompatible
TI-Nspire Lab Cradle (discontinued)	Incompatible	Incompatible	Incompatible	Partial support 3	Partial support 3

Compatibility Notes

1. Use with TI-84 Plus calculators only.
2. Requires an Easy to Go! adapter
3. Currently shipping Thermocouples (Model: TCA1816R3) use a calibration type not supported with this software. Older models of the sensor are fully supported. No software update is planned.
4. CBL 2 and LabPro interfaces cannot be used with TI-84 Plus CE calculators.
5. DataMate cannot be used with color screen TI-84 Plus calculators; use EasyData with these calculators.

1. Connect the sensor to the interface (LabQuest Mini, LabQuest 2, etc.).
2. Start the appropriate data-collection software (Logger Pro, Logger Lite, LabQuest App) if not already running, and choose New from File menu.

The software will identify the sensor and load a default data-collection setup. You are now ready to continue your experiment.

If you are collecting data using a Chromebook™, mobile device such as iPad^® or Android™ tablet, or a Vernier wireless sensor or interface, please see the following link for up-to-date connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/tca-bta

Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user manual.

The thermocouple wire is insulated by a high-temperature glass that has a lower maximum temperature (704°C, 1300°F) than the wire itself (1400°C, 2552°F). Therefore, in use, place only the tip of the wire in the heat source and keep the insulation out of direct contact with the heat source.

The default data-collection range for the Thermocouple is set to have the best accuracy between 0°C and 900°C. There are two other settings available for data collection if you would like increased accuracy at a lower temperature or a higher temperature.

• The low setting has the best accuracy for temperatures between –200°C and 0°C.
• The high setting has the best accuracy for temperatures between 900°C and 1400°C.

To access these different ranges in Logger Pro or Logger Lite:

1. From the Experiment menu, select Set Up Sensors.
2. Select your interface. This will open a new dialog box.
3. Click on the sensor icon button to display the drop down menu and select the temperature setting you would like to use.

For information on accessing the other temperature settings on a different platform, see www.vernier.com/til/1440

You should not have to perform a new calibration when using the Thermocouple in the classroom. The sensor is custom calibrated before it is shipped. If you wish to calibrate the sensor, you must conduct a three-point calibration using Logger Pro or Logger Lite. If you choose to store this calibration to the sensor, you will have to overwrite either the high or the low factory-installed calibrations.

Typical accuracy	0°C to 900°C: ±3°C –200°C to 0°C: ±5°C 900°C to 1400°C: ±15°C
12-bit resolution	0.40°C
Power	11 mA @ 5 VDC
Calibration equations	Equation: 2nd Order Polynomial y = cx^2 + bx + a   0°C to 900°C: a: –185.19, b: 311.32, c: –1.7873 –200°C to 0°C: a: –274.27, b: 640.14, c: –305.66 900°C to 1400°C: a: –7.7423, b: 195.71, c: 16.904

Thermocouples make use of a property that occurs when two wires composed of dissimilar metals are joined at both ends. When one of the joined ends is heated, a continuous current is created and flows in a thermoelectric circuit. The small open‑circuit voltage of this circuit (known as the Seebeck voltage) is a function of the junction temperature and the composition of the two metals. (The Vernier Thermocouple uses a type-K thermocouple wire.) By measuring the voltage, the temperature at the joined end can be calculated.

Measuring the Seebeck voltage requires connecting a voltmeter’s leads to the thermocouple wires. This new junction creates an additional thermocouple. In order to compensate for this new thermocouple, we use a method called cold‑junction compensation. This method requires knowing the temperature at the new junction. Traditionally, these junctions were held at 0°C in an ice bath. The Vernier Thermocouple performs a direct measurement of the temperature of the reference junction with an integrated-circuit amplifier.

If you have watched the related product video(s), followed the troubleshooting steps, and are still having trouble with your Thermocouple, contact Vernier Technical Support at support@vernier.com or call 888-837-6437. Support specialists will work with you to determine if the unit needs to be sent in for repair. At that time, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number will be issued and instructions will be communicated on how to return the unit for repair.

Vernier warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five years from the date of shipment to the customer. This warranty does not cover damage to the product caused by abuse or improper use. This warranty covers educational institutions only.