KC Type Thermocouple Compensation Cable – PVC and Glass Fiber Insulated
KC type thermocouple compensation cable is a specialised signal cable for transmitting the low-level EMF signal generated by a Type K thermocouple sensor to its temperature measurement instrument or controller. The “KC” designation indicates that this is a compensation-grade cable — the conductor alloys are specifically selected to match the thermoelectric output of a Type K (Chromel/Alumel) thermocouple within the ambient temperature range typically encountered along the cable routing path, preventing the parasitic junction EMF errors that would occur if standard copper cable were used in the signal path.
Two insulation options are available to suit different cable routing environments. The PVC insulated version is rated to 80°C and suited to cable routes through conditioned plant rooms, cable trays, and instrument panels. The glass fiber insulated version extends usable ambient temperature to 200°C — suitable for cable routing through hot zones near furnaces, ovens, and process equipment where PVC would soften and lose its insulation properties within months.
Both versions are colour-coded to either IEC 60584-3 (positive conductor green, negative white, overall green) or ANSI MC96.1 (positive yellow, negative red, overall yellow) — specify the standard at time of order to ensure compatibility with the termination instruments and junction heads at each end of the cable run.
KC Type — Understanding the Designation
The “C” in “KC” indicates compensation cable, as distinct from extension cable. Compensation cable uses a lower-cost alloy pair that approximates the K-type thermoelectric output within the cold junction ambient temperature range (typically –20°C to +100°C). For cable routes where the ambient temperature exceeds 100°C at any point, extension-grade cable (same alloy as the thermocouple) should be specified instead — contact us to discuss the correct grade for your installation.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | PVC insulated version | Glass fiber insulated version |
|---|---|---|
| Thermocouple type | Type K (Chromel / Alumel) | Type K (Chromel / Alumel) |
| Cable function | Compensation cable (KC grade) | Compensation cable (KC grade) |
| Insulation material | PVC | Treated fiberglass braid |
| Ambient temp range | –15°C to 80°C | Up to 200°C (cable route ambient) |
| Voltage rating | 300V AC | 300V AC |
| Conductor cross-section | 0.5 mm², 0.75 mm², 1.0 mm², 1.5 mm² | 0.5 mm², 0.75 mm², 1.0 mm², 1.5 mm² |
| Pair configuration | 1 pair, 2 pair, 4 pair, 6 pair, 8 pair | 1 pair, 2 pair, 4 pair |
| Shield options | Unshielded / Al foil + drain / Cu braid | Unshielded / Al foil + drain |
| IEC colour code | +ve Green, –ve White, overall Green | +ve Green, –ve White, overall Green |
| ANSI colour code | +ve Yellow, –ve Red, overall Yellow | +ve Yellow, –ve Red, overall Yellow |
| Accuracy class | IEC 60584-2 Class 2 standard; Class 1 on request | IEC 60584-2 Class 2 standard |
| Standard | IEC 60584, GB/T 4990, RoHS compliant | IEC 60584, GB/T 4990, RoHS compliant |
| Packaging | 50 m / 100 m rolls or custom lengths | 25 m / 50 m coils or custom lengths |
Key Features
Signal accuracy
- Matched K-type compensation alloy conductors — no parasitic EMF at cold junction
- IEC Class 1 accuracy option for precision measurement
- EMI shielded variants — rejects interference from VFDs and power cables
- Twisted pair construction reduces magnetically induced noise
- Low conductor resistance — minimises voltage drop on long cable runs
Installation flexibility
- PVC version — standard plant room and conduit routing to 80°C
- Glass fiber version — hot zone routing up to 200°C ambient
- IEC and ANSI colour codes — specify standard at order
- Multi-pair versions reduce conduit fill in multi-zone systems
- Custom lengths from 10 m for maintenance replacement
- PVC and glass fiber insulation in one product range — select the correct version for each section of the cable run without changing conductor alloy or colour code
- Up to 8 pairs — single cable for multi-zone furnace or oven temperature monitoring, reducing cable tray fill and termination time
- Shielded variants — aluminium foil and copper braid shielding options for installations near variable speed drives, welding equipment, or high-current power cables
- IEC Class 1 accuracy — available with calibration certificate for precision measurement and laboratory applications
Common Applications
Industrial furnace and kiln temperature control
KC type compensation cable is the standard connection cable between Type K thermocouple heads mounted on industrial furnaces, kilns, and heat treatment equipment and the temperature controllers in the control panel. The glass fiber insulated version is used for the cable section closest to the furnace where ambient temperature exceeds 80°C; the PVC version completes the run from the junction box to the instrument panel.
Plastics processing and injection moulding
Used extensively in plastic injection moulding machines, extruders, and blow moulding equipment where multiple barrel zone temperatures must be monitored simultaneously. Multi-pair cable significantly reduces the wiring harness on machines with 6, 8, or 12 temperature zones by routing all thermocouple signals in a single cable from the machine to the temperature controller rack.
Food processing and pharmaceutical
KC type cable with aluminium foil shielded construction is used for temperature monitoring in autoclaves, sterilisation tunnels, pasteurisation units, and pharmaceutical process vessels where both electrical noise immunity and temperature accuracy are required for regulatory compliance.
HVAC and building energy management
PVC insulated KC cable is used for duct temperature sensors, air handling unit discharge temperature monitoring, and chiller performance measurement in commercial building energy management systems, where the 80°C ambient rating easily covers all HVAC equipment locations.
Other applications
- Power generation — gas turbine exhaust and blade temperature monitoring
- Automotive test cells — engine, exhaust, and coolant temperature measurement
- Laboratory and R&D multi-point temperature logging systems
- Solar thermal and heat exchanger performance monitoring
- Semiconductor and electronics manufacturing process temperature control
PVC vs Glass Fiber Insulation — Selecting Correctly
| Criteria | PVC insulated KC cable | Glass fiber insulated KC cable |
|---|---|---|
| Max cable route ambient temp | 80°C | 200°C |
| Flexibility | Good — standard flexible cable handling | Moderate — stiffer than PVC |
| Moisture resistance | Excellent | Good (treated braid) |
| Max pair count | 8 pair | 4 pair |
| Best for | Panel rooms, conduit, cable trays, standard plant | Near furnaces, ovens, hot cable routes |
| Use both together | Route glass fiber from thermocouple head to junction box outside the hot zone; continue with PVC from junction box to instrument panel | |
Ordering Information
Specify insulation type (PVC or glass fiber), number of pairs, conductor cross-section, shield option (unshielded / Al foil / Cu braid), colour code standard (IEC or ANSI), and reel length. IEC Class 1 accuracy and extension-grade (KX) cable available on request. Standard PVC single-pair KC cable available from 10 m for maintenance replacement orders.
IEC Class 1 accuracy cables available with calibration certificate. Conductor alloy conformance reports and material traceability documentation supplied on request. Contact us for a quotation within 24 hours.
Why Choose CableApex
CableApex manufactures KC type thermocouple compensation cable with conductor alloys verified against IEC 60584 thermoelectric EMF tables at our in-house calibration facility. Alloy rod is sourced from certified suppliers with material traceability from melt to finished reel. We supply to temperature instrument manufacturers, furnace and oven builders, OEM machine builders, and instrumentation contractors across more than 40 countries with standard lead times of 10–15 working days on PVC insulated types.
