Use of manganin-constantan thermocouples in thermometry units designed for copper-constantan thermocouples

Commercial ultrasound hyperthermia systems typically include thermometry units designed for copper-constantan thermocouples. Replacing these copper-constantan thermocouples with manganin-constantan thermocouples is advantageous in reducing the measurement error caused by the conduction of heat along the copper wire, but their performance in these thermometry units is uncertain. The accuracy of manganin-constantan thermocouples in the Labthermics LT-100, Clini-Therm TS1200/TM100, and Physitemp TM-12 thermometry units was investigated using a temperature controlled circulating water bath monitored by a mercury thermometer having a calibration traceable to NIST. The results demonstrate that an accuracy of +/- 0.2 degrees C can be achieved with manganin-constantan thermocouples over the range 35-55 degrees C without hardware modification provided specific calibration procedures are followed. With the Labthermics LT-100, a double point calibration should be carried out at 35 and 55 degrees C. With the Clini-Therm TS1200/TM100, a self-calibration of the unit using its internal calibration well plus a single point calibration using an external temperature standard provides sufficient accuracy. The Physitemp TM-12 requires an external computer for read out and the user must provide additional software to correct for the error by either a single or multiple point calibration.