Type-S Platinum Thermocouple Upgrade

Replaces Standard Type K Thermocouples

The standard thermocouple used on the DynaTrol is Type K. The most common thermocouple configuration used is an 8 gauge exposed Type K thermocouple covered by a mullite ceramic protection tube (standard on Easy-Fire, Jupiter, Liberty-Belle, School-Master, Doll and DaVinci).

The Best High Temperature Thermocouple Is A Type S

• The very best thermocouple for constant high fire applications is a Type S platinum thermocouple with an alumina sheath.
• This is normally only recommended for the most extreme conditions (like firing crystalline glazes) because of its expense - or if the value or precision of your work is such that you do not want to risk thermocouple drift.
• You can special order a DynaTrol with Type S thermocouples. They are not available for the One-Touch™ control.

Technical Information

• Type S thermocouples are composed of a positive leg which is 90% platinum and 10% Rhodium, and a negative leg which is 100% platinum.
• It is usable from 32°F to 2700°F. (0°C to 1480°C).
• It has a different EMF output than Type K thermocouples (meaning the same temperature will produce different voltages to the control which must then be interpreted differently).
• That different scale requires both a simple hardware configuration change and a software change to take effect so it can not be done inadvertently.
• At temperatures used in pottery kilns (even the highest 2350°F) these thermocouples can last for a very long time (as long as they are not mechanically broken).

Retrofitting A Control With Type K Thermocouples

• This is not a retrofittable option on DynaTrols used before Jan 1, 2006.
• On the newer 700 DynaTrol boards it is possible to switch from Type K to Type S with a programming change and a jumper change.
• You MUST also change the thermocouple extension wire from Type K wire to Type S wire.

Description

• The Type S thermocouples that we provide have a 5/16" OD alumina sheath.
• They are ungrounded.
• There are two lengths.
• The short one used in the Easy-Fire, Jupiter and DaVinci kilns is 120mm (4.75”) long.
• The long one used in the front-loading kilns like the Renaissance, Hercules and Easy-Load kilns is 160mm long (6.3”).
• Termination is in a ceramic terminal block.

Which Thermocouples Are Used On Which Kilns

• One 120mm thermocouple is used on the Doll
• Two 120mm thermocouples are used for any two section (18" high) Easy-Fire, Jupiter or DaVinci kiln
• Three 120mm thermocouples on all other Easy-Fire, Jupiter or Davinci kilns.
• EL2424 kilns use two. EL2427 and all other Easy-Load kilns use three. All front-loading kilns use 160mm TCs.
• Type S thermocouples are not available on the School-Master, Liberty-Belle, Doll or Renaissance kilns if fitted with a Bartlett 3 Button control or the One-Touch™ control.
• These are included as standard equipment on the JH Series Kilns.

Important Note

• If you have a Type S thermocouple or are retrofitting an older kiln with a Type S thermocouple the control must be configured for use with Type S thermocouples. If not the kiln could seriously overfire. See this for more information...