Temperature Sensors

Temperature Sensor Selection Guide: Choose by Output

All four families use the same Pt100 sensing approach and the same M12 connection style. What changes is where the signal is conditioned and what reaches the PLC. Specs below are from Turck's temperature sensor catalog.

TS+ details that affect ordering

The TS700 comes with an integrated probe in 16 mm or 50 mm insertion length and a 1/2" NPT (code 16) or G1/2 (code 30) process connection, rated to 300 bar. The TS720 has an M12 input instead of a probe, so it takes a TP probe mounted remotely. Both use a 316L stainless housing rated IP6K6K/6K7/6K9K with a rotatable 4-digit display in red or green, and both offer inverse analog scaling (for example 20-4 mA).

Probe Styles and Process Connections

The three-digit probe code (103A, 203A, 206A, and so on) appears in TP, TPS, TTM, and TTMS part numbers and tells you the probe diameter and how it mounts. All are Pt100 Class A with 316L (1.4404) wetted parts and IP67 protection.

TP probes have an overmolded body; TPS probes have a stainless steel body. On every style, the M12 connector itself must stay at or below 80 °C, so on hot processes use a longer probe or thermowell to keep the connector away from the heat. Type K thermocouple probes (TP-206KK1, -40 to 1100 °C) are available on request.

How to Read a Turck Temperature Sensor Part Number

Example: TTM150C-203A-CF-LI6-H1140-L100 is an analog transmitter, 0 to 150 °C span, 3 mm probe for a compression fitting, 4-20 mA, M12 connector, 100 mm insertion length.

Mounting, Thermowells, and Ordering Mistakes to Avoid

• CF means no thread on the probe. 203A and 206A probes need a compression fitting or a thermowell, ordered separately. Match the fitting or thermowell bore to the probe OD: 3 mm with 3 mm, 6 mm with 6 mm.
• Size the probe 50 mm longer than the thermowell. Turck requires the probe to be at least 50 mm longer than the thermowell immersion length so the tip bottoms out. Equal lengths leave an air gap that slows response.
• Pick the compression ferrule by pressure. CF-M fittings (316L ferrule) are rated 100 bar. CF-P fittings (PTFE ferrule) are rated 20 bar.
• Use a thermowell on liquid vessels. It lets you pull and replace the probe without draining the vessel and shields the probe from abrasive media. Turck does not recommend inserting probes into rapidly flowing media because of wake frequency vibration.
• Bending is allowed, with limits. The mineral-insulated probes can be bent, but never within 30 mm of the tip or the connector, and not tighter than Turck's 3x OD radius limit. Slide the compression fitting on before bending.
• Cordsets are separate. These sensors ship without cable. Turck recommends a 4-pin M12 cordset (EKRT-ESRT-A4.400-GC2K series). Shop M12 cordsets and Turck thermowells and compression fittings.

Temperature Sensor FAQ

What is the difference between a Turck TP probe and a TTM transmitter?

A TP probe is a passive 4-wire Pt100 RTD that outputs only a resistance value, so it needs an RTD input card or a separate transmitter. A TTM has the electronics built into the housing and outputs 4-20 mA (or a switch and IO-Link on LIUPN versions). Use a TTM to wire directly to a standard analog input.

Can I change the temperature span on a Turck TTM?

Only on IO-Link versions, which have LIUPN in the part number. Their span and switch point are programmable over IO-Link, with a factory setting of 0 to 150 °C. Analog LI6 versions have a fixed factory span shown in the part number, such as 100C for 0 to 100 °C.

What is the difference between the TS700 and TS720?

The TS700 has an integrated probe (16 or 50 mm) with a 1/2" NPT or G1/2 process connection and measures -50 to 150 °C. The TS720 has an M12 socket for a remote probe, so the measuring range and response time depend on the probe you connect. Both have a display, IO-Link 1.1, and either two switch points (2UPN8) or analog plus switching (LI2UPN8).

How long should a temperature probe be for a thermowell?

Turck specifies a probe at least 50 mm longer than the thermowell's immersion length. For example, a 100 mm thermowell takes a probe of 150 mm or longer. The probe and thermowell diameters must also match.

Which Turck temperature sensors fit sanitary tri-clamp connections?

The TP-504A probe has an integrated 3/4" or 1.5" tri-clamp and a 4 mm Pt100 probe rated -50 to 120 °C. You can also mount a 3 mm or 6 mm CF probe in a Turck tri-clamp thermowell.

How hot can the process be?

TP-203A and TP-206A probes are rated -50 to 500 °C at lengths of 100 mm and over, but the M12 connector must stay at or below 80 °C. Short probes (under 100 mm) and the 103A, 104A, and 504A styles are limited to 120 °C.