Moderate and light use temperature sensors are not used to their limits. They can be cheap, long lasting and are often designed in an easy to use form.
There are three basic design forms they are produced from:
Flexible cable temperature sensors are made from readily available cable, they can be both resistance thermometers or thermocouples. The measuring point can be protected by a metal pocket or plastic coating. The temperature limit is determined by the maximum temperature of the cable. These sensors can be cheap to make. The both ends of the sensor can be highly customised to your needs e.g. fast response or plug termination for connecting to equipment.

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Exposed Junction Cable Temperature Sensors
Some
applications are so mild that no junction protection, or
even insulation is required at all. These are the cheapest
sensors. They are no less reliable or accurate than any
other sensors, but they are clearly vulnerable to dust,
dirt or abuse. We would recommend them for short term or
limited use only unless a suitable housing is used. They
can be so cheap that they are disposable.
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Basic Thermocouple Insulated Element
As
a special exception within this typical cable sensor style,
Platinum elements are also formed in this manner for use
at the highest temperatures. The flexible insulator is
swapped for ceramic tube making this a NON flexible cable.
Provided that this element is used in a suitable ceramic
sheath, or other enclosure it will perform well and with
a good lifetime.
This sensor can be found by clicking the link below:
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Basic Thermocouple Insulated Element |
Sensors mounted in rigid metal tubes provide an inexpensive sensor which is reasonably robust. Sensors can be supplied straight or bent according to your specification. As the sensor is produced and fixed into a metal tube a seal can be placed in the tube. There is therefore no pot seal or other increase in diameter at the cold end of the sensor. Any commercially available metal tube can be used and many sensor types inserted into the tube. This gives a huge range of combinations. The tube can have process fittings welded, head connection components attached, or deformed for a variety of application reasons. As the sensor is not being exposed to the toughest conditions it is usually made of Stainless Steel, although other materials are available.

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Mineral Insulated Cable has conductors surrounded by an inert tightly packed powder (Magnesium Oxide) The powder is held in place by a metal sheath. Insulation resistance of over 100M? is possible between each conductor and between the sheath and any conductor. For use in moderate applications, an MI cable is used because it is readily available, tougher than flexible cables, easily bent into unusual shapes and remains there, and is a generally very robust product.

Mineral Insulated sensors exhibit the following features:

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