K-Type Bayonet Lock Thermocouple Sensor (3-Meter Assembly)
K-Type Bayonet Lock Thermocouple Sensor (3-Meter Assembly)
A K-Type Thermocouple Sensor with a Bayonet Lock (3-Meter Cable) is an industry-standard temperature sensor designed for quick mounting and firm surface contact, commonly used in plastic injection moulding, extruders, packaging machinery, and industrial ovens.
K-Type Bayonet Thermocouple (3m). Source: RS Components
Standard Technical Specifications
Feature
Typical Specification
Thermocouple Element
K-Type (Chromel / Alumel)
Temperature Range
0°C to 400°C (up to 600°C for stainless steel braided lead wire)
Cable Length
3 Meters (10 Feet)
Locking Mechanism
Bayonet Cap with Compression Spring (Single or Double Pin)
Bayonet Cap Inner Diameter
12 mm or 14 mm (standard fitting)
Tip / Probe Diameter
5 mm, 6 mm, or 8 mm
Insulation / Outer Sheath
Fiberglass insulated with Stainless Steel (SS) Overbraid
Termination Options
Fork / Spade lugs, Pin terminals, or Standard Mini K-Type Plug
Key Features & Mechanical Advantages
Positive Surface Contact: The spring-loaded bayonet fitting pushes the tip firmly against the bottom of the thermowell or blind hole, ensuring low thermal resistance and fast response times.
Adjustable Immersion Depth: Moving the bayonet cap along the spring allows fine-tuning of the tip depth to match various machine pocket lengths.
Vibration Resistance: Twist-and-lock bayonet mechanism prevents the probe from backing out under heavy machine vibration.
Durable Cable Construction: The SS outer braid protects against mechanical abrasion and thermal wear near hot machinery walls.
Tip: When selecting or ordering a bayonet thermocouple, always confirm the bayonet cap ID (12 mm vs 14 mm), pin type (single or double pin adapter), and probe tip length to ensure proper fit with your mounting adaptors.
K-Type Bayonet Lock Thermocouple Sensor
The K-Type Bayonet Lock Thermocouple Sensor with a 3-Meter Lead Wire is a heavy-duty, fast-response temperature-sensing assembly designed specifically for surface-contact thermal measurements. Widely utilized across plastic processing, packaging machinery, extruders, dies, industrial ovens, and heat-treatment fixtures, this sensor features a spring-loaded bayonet mechanism that maintains continuous mechanical pressure against target surfaces.
Technical Specifications Overview
Specification Parameter
Standard Industry Value
Thermocouple Calibration Type
Type K (Chromel / Alumel)
Sensing Alloy Composition
Positive: Chromel (Ni-Cr) | Negative: Alumel (Ni-Al)
Operating Temperature Range
Sensor Tip: 0°C to 400°C (up to 600°C with SS sheath)
Cable Length
3 Meters (~10 Feet)
Cable Sheath Material
Fiberglass insulated interior with SS Outer Braid
Process Connection
Spring-loaded Bayonet Cap (Single-pin or Double-pin)
Bayonet Cap Inner Diameter
12 mm or 14 mm standard
Sensitivity (Seebeck Coefficient)
~41 µV/°C
Termination Options
Spade lugs, pin terminals, or mini K-type connector
Working Principle
The underlying operation of the K-type thermocouple is based on the Seebeck Effect. When two thermoelectric conductors made of dissimilar alloys—Chromel (90% Nickel, 10% Chromium) and Alumel (95% Nickel, 2% Aluminium, 2% Manganese, 1% Silicon)—are joined together at the measuring tip (hot junction), a microvolt-level potential difference is produced when there is a thermal gradient relative to the terminal end (cold junction).
$$\Delta V = S \cdot (T_{\text{hot}} - T_{\text{cold}})$$
This thermoelectric potential scales linearly at approximately $41\,\mu\text{V/} ^\circ\text{C}$, which standard PID controllers and temperature indicators translate directly into digital temperature readings.
Key Architectural Features & Mechanical Components
The assembly is engineered to resolve two major industrial challenges: poor thermal contact and signal degradation from mechanical movement.
1. Spring-Loaded Bayonet Lock Mechanism
The sensor housing is integrated with a compression spring and a twist-and-lock bayonet cap. When twisted onto a matching bayonet adapter mounted in a blind hole or thermowell, the internal spring compresses, forcing the probe tip into solid, spring-loaded contact with the bottom of the cavity.
· Optimal Heat Transfer: Eliminates air gaps at the tip, significantly reducing response time and thermal lag.
· Vibration Immunity: The mechanical twist-lock prevents the sensor from backing out or loosening due to continuous machine vibration.
· Adjustable Depth: The spring collar can be repositioned along the spring coils to adjust immersion depth to match custom hole depths.
2. High-Temperature Probe Tip
The sensing probe tip (typically 5 mm or 6 mm in diameter) is manufactured from high-grade 304 or 316 Stainless Steel or Inconel. This provides corrosion resistance, oxidation protection, and physical durability under high clamping forces.
3. High-Flex 3-Meter SS Braided Extension Cable
A 3-meter extended wire length allows routing from deep inside machinery up to external control cabinets without requiring intermediate junction points.
· Internal Core Insulation: Individual Chromel and Alumel conductors are insulated with high-density Fiberglass or PTFE, preventing short-circuits up to elevated temperatures.
· Stainless Steel Outer Braid: Over the core insulation, a flexible stainless steel wire braid provides mechanical protection against sharp metallic edges, abrasion, pinching, and electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Advantages Over Standard Probe Sensors
· Fast Thermal Response: Direct spring-loaded contact ensures instantaneous signal transfer when process temperatures fluctuate.
· Tool-Less Maintenance: Technicians can install or detach the sensor in seconds by pushing and twisting the bayonet cap, minimizing machine downtime during routine overhauls.
· Linear Signal Standardization: K-type thermometry is universally supported by almost all industrial PID controllers, PLC analogue input modules, and digital indicators.
· Ruggedized Reach: The integrated 3-meter SS-shielded lead reduces the risk of noise pickup over extended cable paths.
Installation & Best Practices
1. Adapter Matching: Ensure the bayonet adapter screwed into your equipment matches the cap size (most commonly M12 x 1.5 or M10 x 1.0 thread with a 12 mm cap).
2. Polarity Check: Connect the positive conductor (Chromel / Yellow or Red depending on standard colour coding) to the positive terminal of the PID, and negative (Alumel / Red or White) to the negative. Reversing polarity causes readings to drift downward as temperature increases.
3. Avoid Sharp Cable Bends: Keep the bending radius of the 3-meter braided wire above 25 mm to prevent breaking the internal fiberglass insulation fibre’ s under continuous flexure.













