Thermocouple (TCA-BTA)
Specifications and User Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING

-Primary Test: Connect the Thermocouple to an interface and check the accuracy of the readings for temperature in room air. They should be within 5 deg C.

-Secondary Test: Place your fingers over the wires and ensure that the temperature responds.

RELATED TIL ENTRIES
–Can I purchase a replacement thermocouple wire for my TCA-BTA or GDX-TC sensor?
–How do you use the TCA-BTA to measure very low or very high temperatures more accurately?
–Can I use our thermocouple in a bunsen burner flame?
–Why doesn't my TCA-BTA work with Logger Pro or Logger Lite?
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SPECIFICATIONS
-Order code: TCA-BTA
-Typical accuracy: 0 to 900 degC: +/- 3 degC; -200 to 0 degC: +/- 5 degC; 900 to 1400 degC: +/- 14 degC
-Resolution, 12-bit: 0.40 degC
-Power: 11 mA @ 5 VDC

CALIBRATION
-This sensor is set to the stored calibration before shipping.
-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.

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.
Other platforms (LabQuest App or Graphical Analysis) do not currently allow you to switch between settings.

Units shipped before September 2016 have the following calibration equations (see Why doesn't my TCA-BTA work with Logger Pro or Logger Lite? for more information):
Thermocouple degC
Intercept: -196.88
Slope: 327.360

Thermocouple degC Low
Intercept: -323.956
Slope: 514.839

Thermocouple degC High
Intercept: -284.075
Slope: 353.501

RELATED VERNIER PRODUCTS
–Stainless Steel Temperature Probe (TMP-BTA)
–Extra-Long Temperature Probe (TPL-BTA)
–Wide-Range Temperature Probe (WRT-BTA), (for use with temperature range of -20 to 330 deg C (-4 to 626 deg F))
–Surface Temperature Sensor (STS-BTA), (quick response – for use in air only)
–Infrared Thermometer (IRT-BTA, discontinued), (non-contact temperature measurements)
–Go!Temp (GO-TEMP), (direct USB connection to computers or LabQuest)

Published: September 12, 2018. Updated: July 30, 2020.