Prewired Type K Thermocouple Stainless Probe
A Type K thermocouple with a 5mm stainless steel probe in 50, 100 or 200mm lengths and a 2m lead, measuring up to 800°C, for use with PID controllers, thermostats and PLCs.
Our Type K thermocouples are suitable for general industrial use. Fitting is possible into solid bodies (drilled hole) or free air.
They offer reliable and accurate measurement. Installation is simple to achieve using the M8 threaded end portion to secure the sensor in place. Connections are prewired to U shaped crimps which can be reterminated as required.
This K Type thermocouple is a universal product, compatible with any Type K input — including our own range of PID Temperature Controllers and Electronic Thermostats, as well as third-party PLCs, dataloggers, and general measurement tools.
Select the appropriate probe length from the drop-down box.
Type: Type K (millivolt output)
Operating Temperature: 0~800℃
Probe Diameter: 5mm round probe
Probe Length: 50mm, 100mm, 200mm measuring portion
Cable Internal Insulation: Fibreglass
Features: M8 outer thread, protective spring
Length: 2M overall inc. braided cables
Controller Compatibility
| Controller | Type K | PT100 |
|---|---|---|
| Novus N1020-PR | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N1030 / N1030T | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N1040 / N1050 | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N1200-DIO / N1200-HC | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N20K48 | Yes | Yes |
| Novus N322 / N321 J/K/T | Yes | — |
| Novus N322 PT100 | — | Yes |
| Ageon A102 / A103 / H201 | No (NTC only) | No (NTC only) |
Any third-party PLC, datalogger or controller with a Type K thermocouple input will also work.
Thermocouple FAQs
Q. How do I wire a Type K thermocouple?
A. Connect the positive and negative leads to the controller's thermocouple input (terminals 2 and 3 on Novus PID controllers) and set the input type to Type K. If the reading falls as the temperature rises, swap the two leads.
Q. Can this thermocouple be used to replace other Type K thermocouples?
A. Yes — please observe the maximum temperature and do not mix thermocouple types.
Q. Which wire is positive?
A. On current UK/European IEC 60584 cable, green is positive and white is negative, with a green sheath. Older UK BS1843 cable uses brown positive and blue negative with a red sheath. US ANSI cable uses yellow positive and red negative — note red is negative here. If the leads are unmarked, the negative leg is slightly magnetic.
Q. What happens if the polarity is reversed?
A. The reading moves the wrong way as temperature rises, so the controller cannot hold setpoint. Swap the two leads at the controller terminals.
Q. Can the thermocouple cable be extended?
A. Yes, using Type K extension (KX) or compensating (KCB) cable with Type K plugs and sockets. Do not use ordinary copper cable — it creates an extra junction that causes errors whenever the joint is at a different temperature to the controller. A quality shielded cable is strongly recommended where the environment contains industrial equipment.
Q. What is the maximum permissible cable length?
A. There is no official limit. To preserve signal quality, 30M should be considered a realistic working maximum. Beyond that we recommend converting the signal to 4-20mA with one of our temperature transmitters.
Q. Do I need to add cold junction compensation?
A. No — every controller in the table above compensates automatically at its input terminals. Just select Type K in the controller's input setting.
Q. Which controllers is this compatible with?
A. Any device with a Type K thermocouple input — see the compatibility table above. Popular pairings include the Novus N1030T-PR PID controller and the Novus N322 J/K/T thermostat.
Not sure which sensor type you need? Our Temperature Sensors Explained guide compares thermocouples, PT100s and NTCs, with wiring and installation tips.
Industry Applications
- General Industrial Temperature Measurement — accurate readings up to 800°C in solid-body or free-air mounting.
- PID Controller & Thermostat Retrofits — universal Type K compatibility across our controller and thermostat ranges.
- Process & Machinery Monitoring — M8 threaded fixing for quick, secure installation.