What does a thermocouple measure?

A thermocouple is a device specifically designed to measure temperature. It consists of two different types of metals joined at a junction; when this junction experiences a change in temperature, it generates a voltage that can be correlated to the temperature difference between the junction and the reference point. The fundamental principle behind a thermocouple's operation is the Seebeck effect, which describes how a voltage is induced due to a temperature gradient.

This ability to measure temperature makes thermocouples highly versatile for various applications, particularly in industrial settings and HVAC systems. Their design allows them to operate over a wide range of temperatures, making them suitable for both very high and very low temperature measurements. The accuracy and response time of a thermocouple can vary depending on the materials used and the specific application, but their primary function remains the measurement of temperature.