Heatecx Limited
Connection heads, also known as heads or headers, are essential components in temperature measurement systems that use RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors) and thermocouples. Their main function is to provide a protective enclosure for the electrical connections of these sensors, shielding them from mechanical damage, moisture, dust, and other adverse environmental factors. These devices ensure the integrity of the temperature signal, guaranteeing precise and reliable measurements in a wide range of industrial and commercial environments. They are available in various materials such as stainless steel, bakelite, and aluminum alloy, each offering specific properties to adapt to different operating conditions and application requirements.
The selection of the connection head material is crucial for its performance and durability. Stainless steel heads (such as the KNE-SS and NAA-SS models) offer excellent resistance to corrosion and oxidation, making them ideal for aggressive, hygienic environments or where high mechanical strength is required. Bakelite heads (KB and KSB models) are known for their dielectric properties and high-temperature resistance, providing good electrical and thermal insulation. On the other hand, aluminum alloy heads (such as models A, B, CMI, DA, DAN, DANA, DANW, DAW, G12, KD-BA, KNE, KNEW, KNY, KSE, KSY, MAA, and NAA) are lightweight, economical, and offer good heat dissipation, being suitable for general applications and less demanding environments. Furthermore, there are explosion-proof heads (BT4 and BT6 models), specifically designed to operate safely in potentially explosive atmospheres, complying with rigorous safety regulations.
Connection heads for RTDs and thermocouples are versatile components used in a multitude of industries and applications where precise and reliable temperature measurement is fundamental. Some of the key applications include:
Petrochemical and Gas Industry: In refineries, oil platforms, and gas processing plants, where the presence of explosive atmospheres is common, explosion-proof heads are used to ensure safety and process integrity. The corrosion resistance of stainless steel is vital in these environments.
Food and Pharmaceutical Industry: In these industries, hygiene is paramount. Stainless steel heads (304 or 316) are preferred due to their ease of cleaning, resistance to chemical agents, and compliance with sanitary regulations, ensuring product non-contamination.
Power Generation: In power plants, whether thermal, nuclear, or renewable, the heads protect temperature sensors in boilers, turbines, and cooling systems, where conditions can be extreme in terms of temperature and vibration.
Manufacturing and Industrial Processing: In processes such as metallurgy, plastics manufacturing, glass production, and the automotive industry, the heads safeguard the sensors that monitor critical temperatures in furnaces, molds, extruders, and production lines.
HVAC and Refrigeration Systems: In heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and industrial refrigeration systems, the heads protect the sensors that control ambient or fluid temperature, contributing to energy efficiency and comfort.
Laboratories and Research Centers: For high-precision and control applications in laboratory environments, where stability and reliability in temperature measurements are required.
Main Features:
Diverse Materials: Available in stainless steel (304, 316), bakelite, and aluminum alloy, allowing selection based on the environment and application.
Robust Protection: Offer superior protection against mechanical impacts, vibrations, moisture, dust, and chemical agents.
Explosion-Proof Design: Specific models designed to comply with safety standards in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Versatile Connections: Compatible with a wide range of cable entries and bottom holes (M20x1.5, NPT1/2", G1/2", etc.) for easy integration.
Electrical and Thermal Insulation: Bakelite provides excellent insulating properties, while metals offer good thermal conductivity to dissipate heat when necessary.
Durability and Long Service Life: Manufactured with high-quality materials that guarantee prolonged resistance to adverse conditions.
Advantages:
Measurement Reliability: They protect the sensor connections, ensuring signal integrity and, consequently, the accuracy and stability of temperature measurements.
Operational Safety: Explosion-proof models minimize risks in hazardous environments, complying with strict safety regulations.
Adaptability: The variety of materials and designs allows selecting the optimal head for each specific application, maximizing sensor performance and service life.
Reduced Maintenance Costs: By effectively protecting the sensors and their connections, the frequency of failures and the need for replacements are reduced, lowering operating costs.
Ease of Installation and Maintenance: Designed for simple installation and convenient access for wiring and maintenance.
Technical specifications vary depending on the connection head model and material. The following table presents common characteristics and typical ranges:
|
Technical Characteristic |
Stainless Steel (304/316) |
Bakelite |
Aluminum Alloy (ADC12) |
Explosion-Proof (BT4/BT6) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Material |
Stainless Steel 304/316 |
Bakelite |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 / Stainless Steel 304 |
|
Spraying Method |
Electroplated |
- |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray / Electroplated |
|
Color |
Silver |
Black |
Gray-Silver |
Gray-Silver |
|
Cable Entry |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″, etc. |
G1/2″, G3/8″ |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″, PG16, etc. |
M20×1.5 |
|
Bottom Hole |
M24×1.5, M33×1, NPT1/2″, G1/2″, etc. |
G1/2″, G1/4″ |
M12×1, M16×1, M20×1, M22×1.5, M24×1.5, M33×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″, etc. |
M22×1.5 |
|
Hole Spacing |
33mm, 40mm |
33mm, 40mm, 27mm |
19mm, 27mm, 33mm, 36mm, 40mm, 44mm |
59mm |
|
Corrosion Resistance |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
Excellent (BT6) / Good (BT4) |
|
Temperature Resistance |
High |
Very High |
Moderate |
High |
|
Electrical Insulation |
Good |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
|
Certifications |
- |
- |
- |
ATEX, IECEx (depending on model) |
The following table details some of the available connection head models, classifying them by their main material and highlighting their key features:
|
Model |
Main Material |
Spraying Method |
Color |
Cable Entry |
Bottom Hole |
Hole Spacing |
Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Stainless Steel |
|||||||
|
KNE-SS |
Stainless Steel 304/316 |
Electroplated |
Silver |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
M24×1.5, M33×1, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm, 40mm |
High corrosion resistance. |
|
NAA-SS |
Stainless Steel 304/316 |
Electroplated |
Silver |
M20×1.5 |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm |
Ideal for hygienic environments. |
|
KC-SS |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5 |
M12×1, M16×1, M20×1 |
36mm |
Stainless steel connection. |
|
|
Bakelite |
|||||||
|
KB |
Bakelite |
- |
Black |
G1/2″ |
G1/2″ |
33mm, 40mm |
Excellent electrical insulation. |
|
KSB |
Bakelite |
- |
Black |
G3/8″ |
G1/4″ |
27mm |
Compact, good insulation. |
|
Aluminum Alloy |
|||||||
|
A |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5 |
M24×1.5, φ22.8/21, φ32.5/28, G1/2″, G3/4″ |
46mm |
General use. |
|
B |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″, PG16 |
M16×1, M24×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm |
Lightweight and versatile. |
|
CMI |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
M24×1.5, M33×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
40mm, 44mm |
Multiple bottom hole options. |
|
DA |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5 |
M20×1, M22×1.5, M24×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″, φ32.5 |
40mm |
Robust design. |
|
DAN |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
M24×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm |
Standard connections. |
|
DANA |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
M16×1, M24×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm, 36mm |
Variety of holes. |
|
DANW |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
M24×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
- |
Wide compatibility. |
|
DAW |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5 |
M20×1, M22×1.5, M24×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
40mm |
Durability. |
|
G12 |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5 |
M24×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm |
Industrial standard. |
|
KD-BA |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5, PG16 |
M12×1, M16×1, M24×1.5, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm |
Versatile. |
|
KNE |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, NPT3/4″, G1/2″, G3/4″ |
M24×1.5, M33×1, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm, 40mm |
Multiple thread options. |
|
KNEW |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5 |
M12×1, M16×1, M20×1, M22×1, M24×1.5, M33×1, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm, 40mm |
Wide range of holes. |
|
KNY |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5, NPT1/2″, NPT3/4″, G1/2″, G3/4″ |
M24×1.5, M33×1, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
33mm, 40mm |
Flexibility in connections. |
|
KSE |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M16×1.5, NPT3/8″, G3/8″ |
M12×1, M16×1, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
27mm |
Compact. |
|
KSY |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M16×1.5, NPT3/8″, G3/8″ |
M12×1, M16×1, NPT1/2″, G1/2″ |
27mm |
Small size. |
|
MAA |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M16×1.5 |
M10×1, M12×1, G1/8″ |
19mm |
Miniature. |
|
NAA |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5, G1/2″, PG16 |
M10×1, M12×1, M16×1, M20×1.5, M24×1.5, NPT1/2″ |
33mm |
Standard. |
|
Explosion-Proof |
|||||||
|
BT4 |
Aluminum Alloy ADC12 |
Spray Paint / Plastic Spray |
Gray-Silver |
M20×1.5 |
M22×1.5 |
59mm |
Explosion-proof certification. |
|
BT6 |
Stainless Steel 304 |
Electroplated |
Silver |
M20×1.5 |
M22×1.5 |
59mm |
Explosion-proof certification, high corrosion resistance. |
A connection head, also known as a header or cable box, is a fundamental component in industrial temperature measurement systems. Its main function is to act as a protective enclosure for the delicate electrical connections of temperature sensors, such as RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors) and thermocouples.
This device safeguards the wiring terminals from adverse environmental factors such as moisture, dust, dirt, corrosion, and mechanical damage. By ensuring the integrity of these connections, the connection head guarantees that the sensor signal is transmitted accurately and reliably to the control system, which is critical for exact and stable industrial temperature measurement. Common materials include stainless steel, bakelite, and aluminum alloy, each offering specific levels of protection and resistance for different environments.
