Temperature Instrument Ranges The stated accuracy of any temperature measurement device is for the "Recommended Temperature Range" only. The narrow section of the temperature bar represents the widest range the instrument can be used in. Accuracy in this range is not guaranteed. Probe damage may occur at the extreme ends of the temperature range. Temperatures listed below are approximate. | Instrument | Recommended
temperature
range | Widest possible
temperature
range | Typical Accuracies | | Bimetal and dial | -50 to 100°F | — | ±0.5% of full-scale | | Digital indicators | -100 to 450°F | -100 to 500°F | ±1% of reading | | Glass | -328 to 932°F | — | ±1% of range;
±1.0°F (±0.5°C) for
NIST-traceable models | | Infrared | -50 to 5430°F | — | ±1 to 3% of reading | | Labels and crayons | 26 to 1922°F | — | ±2°F | | Platinum RTD | | Probes | -297 to 932°F | — | ±0.2 to 0.35% of reading | | Meters | — | — | ±0.1% of reading and ±1°F (±1°C) | | Thermistor | | 400 series probes | -40 to 302°F | — | ±0.36°F (±0.2°C) from 32 to 167°F (0 to 75°C) | | 500 series probes | 32 to 158°F | — | ±0.2°F (±0.1°C) | | 700 series probes | -40 to 302°F | — | ±0.27°F (± 0.15°C) | | Meters | — | — | ±0.2 to 0.4°F (±0.1 to 0.2°C) | | Thermocouple | | Type J probes | 32 to 1336°F | -310 to 1832°F | ±1.8 to 7.9°F or ±0.4% of reading above 32°F, whichever is greater | | Type K probes | 32 to 2300°F | -418 to 2507°F | | Type T probes | -299 to 700°F | -418 to752°F | ±0.9 to 3.6°F or ±0.4% of reading above 32°F, whichever is greater | | Type E probes | 32 to 1600°F | 32 to 1650°F | ±1.8 to 7.9°F or ±0.4% of reading above 32°F, whichever is greater | | Type R probes | 32 to 2700°F | 32 to 3210°F | ±2.5°F or ±0.25% of reading, whichever is greater | | Type S probes | | Meters | — | — | ±0.1 to 1% of reading and
±1.8°F (±1°C) |
°F = (1.8 x °C) +32
°C = (°F-32) x 0.555
Kelvin = °C + 273.2
°Rankin = °F + 459.67
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