<p>It is quite likely not a thermocouple, but a thermistor:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>A thermocouple would look like a small blob of metal. The tip of your temperature sensor appears to be a glass bead, which is a commonly used way to encase thermistors.</p></li>
<li><p>Thermocouples are polarized. The fact that the wiring is not "directional" suggests it is a thermistor.</p></li>
<li><p>Thermocouples are used in high-temperature applications (such as a high-temperature hotend for printing specialty materials), where a thermistor would break down. The bed is not such a high-temperature application.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>You can easily verify this with a multimeter. If it was a thermocouple, its resistance would be near zero. With a thermistor, you should see a decent amount of resistance (most 3D printing thermistors are 100k at room temperature).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-12T08:54:28.713Z
Yes, the multimeter says 96k ohm.
Tomas By
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-12T08:13:02.767Z
2018-08-12T08:13:02.767Z
Tom van der Zanden
<p>Am wondering if anybody knows what type of sensor this is (from a build plate).</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/aKUBa.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/aKUBa.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Perhaps a thermocoupler? The colouring of the wires seems to suggest it is not directional?</p>

<p>Would like to know details so that I can make use of it in my own projects.</p>

<electronics><part-identification>
Identify temperature sensor
Tomas By
# Identify temperature sensor

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-11)

Am wondering if anybody knows what type of sensor this is (from a build plate).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/aKUBa.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/aKUBa.png)

Perhaps a thermocoupler? The colouring of the wires seems to suggest it is not directional?

Would like to know details so that I can make use of it in my own projects.

**Tags:** electronics, part-identification


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-08-12. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

It is quite likely not a thermocouple, but a thermistor:

* A thermocouple would look like a small blob of metal. The tip of your temperature sensor appears to be a glass bead, which is a commonly used way to encase thermistors.
* Thermocouples are polarized. The fact that the wiring is not "directional" suggests it is a thermistor.
* Thermocouples are used in high-temperature applications (such as a high-temperature hotend for printing specialty materials), where a thermistor would break down. The bed is not such a high-temperature application.

You can easily verify this with a multimeter. If it was a thermocouple, its resistance would be near zero. With a thermistor, you should see a decent amount of resistance (most 3D printing thermistors are 100k at room temperature).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Yes, the multimeter says 96k ohm.  

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