Changes in the ambient air temperature near the front connector or a thermocouple wire conducting heat directly to terminal junctions can cause thermal gradients.

Observe the following guidelines to minimize thermal gradients and improve the system accuracy.

  • Use small-gauge thermocouple wire. Smaller wire transfers less heat to or from the terminal junction.
  • Run thermocouple wiring together to keep the wires at the same temperature.
  • Avoid running thermocouple wires near hot or cold objects.
  • Minimize adjacent heat sources and air flow across the terminals.
  • Keep the ambient temperature as stable as possible.
  • Make sure the FieldDAQ device terminals are facing forward or upward.
  • Keep the FieldDAQ device in a stable and consistent orientation.
  • Allow the thermal gradients to settle after a change in system power or in ambient temperature. A change in system power can happen when the system powers on, or you add or remove devices from a network topology.
  • Allow the thermal gradients to settle after plugging or unplugging the mini-TC plugs.