Ordering thermocouple wire: five decisions and the numbers we actually quote.
These are the questions our sales and engineering teams are asked most often, with the answers we actually give. For anything not covered here — an unusual atmosphere, a specific alloy formulation, or a certification route your customer requires — contact the engineering team directly and you will have a written answer within one business day.
At a glance
| Item | Standard value |
|---|---|
| Minimum order — bare wire | 5 kg per diameter per type |
| Minimum order — stranded wire | 10 kg |
| Free sample | 10–50 m for qualified OEMs and volume buyers |
| Lead time — stock diameters | 3–5 business days |
| Lead time — custom alloy | 4–6 weeks |
| Certification | MTC to IEC 60584-1 / ASTM E230, plus ISO 9001, RoHS, REACH |
| Payment terms | 30% deposit / 70% before shipment; net 30 for established accounts |
How to place a first order
- Send the specification — type, diameter, tolerance class and quantity.
- We confirm price and lead time, and ship a sample spool if you need one.
- Certification and packaging are agreed before the melt is scheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
Standard bare wire: 5 kg per diameter per type. Stranded wire: 10 kg. Alloy ingots and wire rods are quoted per melt. Custom diameters and special alloys may carry higher minimums — contact us for a specific quotation.
Can I get a free sample?
Yes. We provide free sample spools to qualified OEMs and volume buyers. Samples ship within 3 business days with a material test certificate.
What certifications do you provide?
Every batch ships with a Material Test Certificate showing chemical composition, EMF calibration data, dimensional report and furnace batch number. ISO 9001, RoHS and REACH compliance statements are included, and third-party SGS or Bureau Veritas inspection is available on request.
What is the typical lead time?
Standard diameters (0.1–3.0 mm) from stock: 3–5 business days. Non-stock diameters: 2–3 weeks. Custom alloy formulations: 4–6 weeks. Orders above 500 kg have lead time confirmed at quotation.
Which thermocouple type should I choose?
It depends on your temperature range, atmosphere and accuracy requirement. Start from our Alloy Comparison Chart, or send us your operating conditions and our engineers will recommend a type.
What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 tolerance?
Class 1 (IEC) / Special Limits (ASTM) is approximately twice as accurate as Class 2 / Standard. For Type K at 1000 °C that is ±4.0 °C against ±7.5 °C. Class 1 is required for aerospace (AMS 2750) and pharmaceutical validation.
Do you make custom alloy formulations?
Yes. Our vacuum induction melting furnace can produce custom NiCr/NiSi ratios and special additions. The minimum custom melt is 50 kg — send us your target EMF curve or composition requirements.
What packaging do you use?
Standard is DIN 125 plastic spools in 5 kg, 10 kg and 20 kg. DIN 160/250 spools, plywood reels for heavy coils and custom packaging for OEM private labelling are also available. Every spool is labelled with type, diameter, batch number and net/gross weight.
Can you supply wire with dual certification (IEC + ASTM)?
Yes. Specify dual certification when ordering; we manufacture to both standards from the same batch and provide separate MTCs referencing IEC 60584-1 and ASTM E230. There is no additional charge for this service.
What payment terms do you accept?
New customers: 30% deposit with order, 70% before shipment. Established accounts: net 30 days. We accept T/T (wire transfer) and L/C (letter of credit) for orders above USD 10,000.
Bottom line: Ordering thermocouple wire reduces to five decisions — type, tolerance class, quantity, certification and lead time — and the numbers we actually quote are set out above. Anything outside that list goes to the engineering team rather than to a template answer.