Thermowells

General Specifications
Material - Insertion Length -
The Longevity Factor The Accuracy Factor
In general, the thermowell material chosen for The distance from the end of the well to the
the installation is governed mainly by the underside of the thread, or other connection means,
corrosion conditions the well will face. (designated as "U") is the insertion length. For best
Recommended material for various services are accuracy, this length should be long enough to
given in the Corrosive Service Guide. The high permit the entire temperature sensitive part of the
polish given to all stainless and monel wells sensor to project into the temperature medium being
provides maximum corrosion resistance and measured.
strength. A properly installed RTD or thermocouple will project
Occasionally, the material consideration is one of into liquid an amount equal to its sensitive length
strength rather than corrosion. For example, a plus at least one-inch. In air or gas, the bulb should
stainless steel well may be required for high be immersed to its sensitive length plus at least three
pressure water service where otherwise a brass inches. Thermocouples and thermistors have short
well would be satisfactory from a corrosion sensitive lengths, therefore they can use the smallest
standpoint. Consult the pressure-temperature insertion lengths. Bi-metal thermometers, resistance
ratings given for each well type. thermometers and liquid-in-glass thermometers have
bulbs with sensitive portions from one to several
The standard materials listed for each well series inches in length. Determine the sensitive length of
will cover most requirements. Optional materials the bulb before choosing an insertion length. Above
include special grades of Stainless Steel, all - be sure that dead length, i.e. - that are required
Chrome-molybdenum, Naval Brass, Hastelloy to pass through walls, pipe fittings, etc., is taken into
B&C, Nickel and Titanium. account when choosing the necessary well insertion
length.
Connection -
The Installation Factor Bore Size -
The Interchangeability Factor
In these pages you will find standardized wells of
threaded, flanged (A.N.S.I. and Van Stone) and Almost any installation uses several types of
socket weld types with standard bore sizes. temperature measuring instruments. The selection
Threaded wells are all made in readily welded or of a standard bore diameter can produce maximum
brazed materials. This is important for installa- flexibility within the plant. The same well can
tions requiring seal welding or brazing. The pipe accommodate either thermocouple, RTD, bi-metal
thread provides the mechanical strength, the thermometer, or test thermometer. The bore size of
weld merely seals. Flanged wells (other than wells shown in this catalog cover the most commonly
Van Stone type) consist of a bar stock well, used temperature sensing elements as follows:
which is solidly welded to a top quality flange. .260” Diameter Bore .385” Diameter Bore
Standard construction uses a primary "J" groove Tapered or Straight Shank -
weld and a bevel groove secondary weld. Both The Velocity Rating Factor
welds are machined to produce a clean fillet.
This double welded construction eliminates the Tapered shank wells provide greater stiffness for the
possibility of crevice corrosion and stress same sensitivity. The higher strength-to-weight ratio
problems since no open joints are exposed from gives these wells a higher natural resonant
either inside or outside the installation. Socket frequency than for an equivalent length straight
welding types are simple to install by merely shank well, permitting operation at higher fluid
welding into place. These wells fit A.N.S.I. velocities. Refer to "Velocity Ratings of Wells" in
standard socket weld couplings or flanges. The Thermowell General Specifications.
resulting installation is clean and tight.
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Tapered or Straight Shank - Following are some of the special tests or procedures
The Velocity Rating Factor (cont.) that we offer. Please contact your sales
representative for additional cost and delivery.
Well failures, in most cases, are not due to the
effect of pressure and temperature. The Tests and Services:
calculations necessary to provide adequate
Hydrostatic test
strength, under given conditions, are familiar
Internally for screwed wells
enough to permit proper choice of wall thickness
(specify pressure rating)
and material.
Externally for flanged and Van Stone
(normally 1.5 times flange rating)
Less familiar, and more dangerous, are the
vibrational effects to which wells are subjected. Dye Penetrant test
Fluid, flowing by the well, forms a turbulent wake
(called the Von Karman Trail) which has a definite Ultrasonic test
frequency based on the diameter of the well and
X-ray
velocity of the fluid. It is important that the well
Per ASME (code UW51)
have sufficient stiffness so that the wake frequency
will never equal the natural frequency of the well Stress Calculations
itself. If the natural frequency of the well were to Per ASME PTC 19.3
coincide with the wake frequency, the well would
vibrate to destruction and break off in the piping. Procedures:
Stress Relieving
On the following pages, a recommended maximum Solution Annealing
velocity rating can be found for every standard well
length and material cataloged. To reduce the Heat Treating
complexity of presenting this information, the rat- Meets N.A.C.E. MR-01-75 specification
ings given are based on operating temperatures of
1000°F for wells made of Carbon Steel (C-1018), Passivating
A.I.S.I. 304 & A.I.S.I. 316. Values for brass wells Electropolishing
are based on 350°F operation. Limits for Monel
wells are based on 900°F service. Slightly higher Full Penetration Weld
velocity is possible at lower temperatures.
Positive Material Identification (PMI)
Where single values appear in the velocity tables, Cleaning for Oxygen Service
these may be considered safe for water, steam, air
or gas. In the shorter insertion lengths, Stellite #6 and other wear-resistant coatings
consideration is given to the velocity pressure
Other:
effect of water flowing at higher velocities. The
values in parenthesis, therefore, represent safe Source Inspection
values for water flow while the unbracketed value
may be used for steam, air, gas and similar density Premium Delivery Service
fluids. Stamp or Vibro Etch Tag Number or Heat Number
It should be pointed out that the values given are Certified Mill Test Reports (MTR's)
extremely conservative and intended primarily as a
guide. Wells are also safe if the resonant Certified Reproducible drawings
frequency is below the wake frequency or if the
fluid velocity is constantly fluctuating through the
critical velocity point. If the installation is not
hampered by the use of a sufficiently stiff well, we
recommend the values given are not to be exceed-
ed. If you have operating conditions requiring
special well designs, our Engineering Staff is
available to assist you.
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 Standard Manufacturing Tolerances

Lengths: End of Wells:

Break corners - no burrs.
± 1/16" on length 12" or less
± 1/8" on length 12" or less
Threaded Wells:
Wells 30" overall length and longer will be drilled through Round stock with wrench flats will be used if hex stock
end, plugged and heliarc welded, if solid bored is speci- is not available. Lagging extension may be left as hex
fied. Built up design must be specified. Built up design or as machined diameter.
must be specified beyond 42 1/4" overall length.

Stamping:
O. D. Tolerances: Material code identification and type of material
stamped on Hex or round facing open end of well.
Fractional: ± .015
Decimal: ± .005 on .000 place
± .010 on .000 place
Flanged Wells:
Bore I.D. Tolerances: Made in accordance with ANSI B16.5. Raised Face is
serrated. 125 RMS Smooth Face must be specified
+.005 on order if needed.
-.003

Front "J":
End Thickness: Groove welds are 1/4" wide by 1/4" deep. Welds are
Gun drill Bottom, 1/4" to bottom ± 1/16", 3/16" min. end. machined, leaving 1/8" radius. Rear welds are 1/8”
wide by 1/8" deep "V". Welds are machined, leaving
1/4” radius. Full penetration welds are available upon
Concentricity of Bore to O.D.: request. Must be specified on order if needed.
± 10% of min. wall thickness

Surface Finish:
16-32 Ra standard
4-12 Ra available at an extra charge. Must be
specified on order.

Wetted surface finish of 80 Ra is available at a savings

on some wells.
Must be specified on order.

Radius under Threads and Flanges:

1/8" is standard, ± 1/16"
1/16" on Van Stones

Male Threads: (NPT)

± 1" on thread gage

Female Threads:
(1/2" NPSM) standard, 1/2" NPT available upon request.
Go gage to 5/8" depth of thread.
No go gage 2 turns max.

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