Thermowells, abbreviated as TW, are used in temperature measurement and provide isolation from the temperature sensor and the process fluid. They may be flanged or threaded, depending on the design. Thermowells are designed to accept different types of temperature probes such as RTDs and thermocouples. Because they keep the sensor isolated from the process, the sensor can be repaired without interrupting the process.
Overall length of the thermowell measured from bore to end of well. Stem Length is often referred to as "L" which is equal to the sum of the insertion length and lagging length.
The distance from the end of the well to the underside of the thread, or other connection means, also know as "U" dimension. The length should be long enough to permit the entire temperature sensitive part of the sensing element to project into medium being monitored. As a rule of thumb, the thermowell should extend into the process a minimum of 10 times the sensor diameter. Ideally, the sensor should extend into the process fluid between 1/3 and 1/2 the diameter of the pipe. The insertion length must also take into consideration any dead length required to pass through walls and pipe fittings into the media.
The selection of proper bore diameter allows the same well to accommodate various temperature sensing devices. Typical values are .260 or .385 to accommodate 1/4" and 3/8" Diameter sensors.
Lagging extension thermowells are used on applications where insulation covers the vessel or piping system.
The extension length (T-length) is the measurement between the instrument connection and process connection
of the thermowell.
Thermowells are typically available in the following process connections:
Most thermowells are readily available wth the following materials.
Thermowells are available in exotic metals.