Conduction error is a common problem for small application contact temperature sensors.

Temperature sensors can be very accurate devices, however poor probe design or bad installation can easily give a system significant temperature reading errors. Conduction error is primarily caused by inadequate immersion. Heavy Industrial applications usually have good immersions, but designers of small pieces of equipment must address the problem.

Sensors usually need protection sheaths and always use signal cables. Both items will conduct heat away from a system. Probe leads and sheath will pass through a thermal gradient at some point. If the thermal gradient is close to the measuring point, then the sensor will be influenced to some degree by ambient conditions.… Read more