Custom Thermocouples and RTDs, Built to Your Specification
K-Tec Systems manufactures custom thermocouples and RTDs in Ferndale, Michigan, for engine test, dynamometer, aerospace, defense, medical and industrial process measurement. Every sensor is built to your thermocouple type, wire gauge, sheath material, insulation and termination, from single prototypes to production quantities. Thermocouples are produced to ISO/IEC 17025 standards, manufactured to ANSI/ASTM, calibrated with NIST-traceable equipment, and shipped with a Certificate of Conformance.
Request a QuoteEvery thermocouple and RTD we produce is built to perform in demanding environments, using premium-grade thermocouple wire and Magnesium Oxide (MgO) insulation. From initial specification to final delivery, our engineering team works directly with you to ensure the solution is right for your application.
Quality & Certifications
Quality is built into every stage of manufacturing at our Ferndale, Michigan, facility. Rigorous testing is performed from wire preparation through final termination to verify weld integrity, insulation quality, and measurement accuracy.
- Our thermocouples are produced to ISO/IEC 17025 standards — The internationally recognized standard for testing and calibration laboratories. This is a critical qualification requirement for customers in aerospace, military and defense, medical, and automotive sectors.
- ANSI/ASTM Thermocouple Standards Compliance — All thermocouples are manufactured in compliance with ANSI/ASTM standards, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and interchangeability.
- NIST Traceable Calibration Equipment — Our calibration equipment maintains full traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
- Certificate of Conformance — Provided with every thermocouple and RTD order.
- WBENC & WOSB Certified — K-Tec Systems is a certified woman-owned business, recognized by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
- Government Registered — K-Tec Systems is registered to do business with the U.S. Government. CAGE Code: 4W0S0. We are a recognized Small Business under SBA standards.
Custom Thermocouples & RTDs Built to Your Specifications
No two applications are identical. K-Tec Systems engineers each thermocouple and RTD assembly to your specific requirements, including thermocouple type, wire diameter, sheath material, insulation, and termination configuration. Our engineering team will consult with you from the start to ensure your sensing solution performs accurately under your exact operating conditions.
Our thermocouples and RTDs are engineered to withstand:
Thermocouple vs. RTD: Which Should You Specify?
Specify a thermocouple when you need a wide range, fast response, or tolerance to vibration and high temperature. Specify an RTD when you need the best accuracy and repeatability below roughly 600 C and the sensor will sit in a stable installation. The table below is the short version; our engineers will confirm against your process. K-Tec Systems manufactures both in-house.
| Thermocouple | RTD (Pt100 / Pt1000) | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature range | Widest; cryogenic to above 1,700 C by type | Typically -200 to 600 C |
| Accuracy | Type and tolerance class dependent | Higher; Class A or B per IEC 60751 |
| Response time | Fast, especially fine-wire and beaded | Slower; larger sensing element |
| Vibration tolerance | High (MgO-insulated, sheathed) | Moderate; element is more fragile |
| Long-term drift | Higher at sustained high temperature | Low |
| Relative cost | Lower per sensor | Higher per sensor |
Not sure which is right for your process? Our engineering team will evaluate your requirements and make the right recommendation.
Thermocouple Types: J, K, T, E, N, R, S and B
K-Tec Systems manufactures thermocouples across all standard ANSI types. Each type offers distinct wire compositions, temperature ranges, and environmental suitability. Our engineers will assess your process parameters — including temperature range, chemical environment, response time, and measurement location — to identify the most appropriate thermocouple type for your application.
Constructions: Sheathed, Mineral Insulated, Beaded, Fine Wire and Surface
Sheathed and mineral insulated (MgO) thermocouples for pressure, vibration and corrosive media. Beaded and fine-wire thermocouples for fast response and low thermal mass on test articles. Surface, weld-pad, bolt-on and stick-on styles for brake, exhaust and battery skin temperatures. Bayonet, spring-loaded and threaded fittings for process installations.
High-Temperature Thermocouples
Inconel and other high-nickel sheaths for exhaust and turbine work up to 980 C; platinum-rhodium Types R, S and B for higher ranges.
RTDs: Pt100 and Pt1000
Class A and Class B per IEC 60751, in 2-, 3- and 4-wire configurations, for battery, avionics bay and process measurements where repeatability at moderate temperature matters more than range.
Thermocouple & RTD Applications
Our custom thermocouples and RTDs are engineered for a broad range of applications, including:
- Engine testing and dynamometers
- Gas exhaust and emissions monitoring
- Brake testing and thermal analysis
- Wind tunnel testing
- Battery testing and thermal management
- Chemical and high-caustic environments
- High-pressure systems
- Plastics processing and extrusion
- Laboratory and research environments
- Chillers and refrigeration systems
- Bottling, brewing, and beverage processing
- Mixing and batch processing
- Greenhouse and agricultural monitoring
- Water and soil temperature measurement
How a Custom Thermocouple Order Works
- Specification review. Send drawings, a sample, or a description of the measurement point. We confirm type, diameter, sheath, insulation, lead length and termination.
- Prototype. A first article is built to the agreed specification for your approval before production.
- Production and testing. Weld integrity, insulation resistance and output are checked from wire preparation through final termination.
- Documentation and delivery. A Certificate of Conformance and NIST-traceable calibration record ship with every order.
Industries We Serve
K-Tec Systems thermocouples and RTDs are trusted by engineers, manufacturers, and test professionals across the following industries:
| Automotive | Aerospace |
| Military & Defense | Medical & Life Sciences |
| Drone & Unmanned Systems | Energy & Battery Technology |
| Chemical Processing | Food & Beverage |
| Plastics & Manufacturing | Laboratory & Research |
| HVAC & Refrigeration | Environmental Monitoring |
| Industrial Processing |
Contact K-Tec Systems
Ready to discuss your thermocouple or RTD requirements? Our engineering team is available to help — from initial specification through final delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
K-Tec Systems manufactures thermocouples across all standard ANSI types, including Types B, E, J, K, N, R, S, and T. Each type offers distinct wire compositions, temperature ranges, and environmental suitability. Our engineering team will assess your process parameters — including temperature range, chemical environment, and response time — to identify the most appropriate type for your application.
Yes. Every thermocouple and RTD we manufacture is custom-built to your specifications. Our engineering team works with you from initial consultation through final delivery to define thermocouple type, wire diameter, sheath material, insulation, and termination configuration for your exact operating conditions.
Thermocouples are produced to ISO/IEC 17025 standards, the internationally recognized standard for testing and calibration laboratories, and a qualification requirement for customers in aerospace, defense, medical, and automotive sectors. All thermocouples are manufactured in compliance with ANSI/ASTM standards, and our calibration equipment maintains full NIST traceability. A Certificate of Conformance is provided with every order.
A thermocouple covers a wider temperature range, responds faster and tolerates vibration and high temperature better. An RTD is more accurate and repeatable at moderate temperatures, typically below 600 C. K-Tec Systems manufactures both and will recommend one for your process.
Yes. A Certificate of Conformance is included with every thermocouple and RTD order.
Yes. K-Tec Systems is a registered U.S. government supplier with CAGE Code 4W0S0 and an SBA-recognized Small Business. We are WBENC and WOSB certified. Our thermocouples are produced to ISO/IEC 17025 standards and manufactured in compliance with ANSI/ASTM standards — meeting the qualification requirements of aerospace, defense, and medical procurement programs.
Yes. K-Tec Systems is headquartered in Ferndale, Michigan and ships thermocouples and RTDs throughout the United States and internationally.
Contact our engineering team to discuss your application requirements and request a quote. Call 248-414-4100, or reach us at contact@k-tecsystems.com.
Learning Center
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Type J vs. Type K Thermocouple: How to Choose
Type J and Type K thermocouples are similar in accuracy and cost but they perform differently across temperature range, atmosphere, and application. Here’s how to choose.
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Custom Thermocouple Types adapted to your Testing Process
Choosing the right thermocouple for your testing or manufacturing process is essential to collecting accurate data and ensuring product quality and consistency.
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Which Thermocouple for the Most Accurate Measurement and Test
Thermocouples are designed for different operating conditions and choosing the right thermocouple is vital to collecting accurate temperature data.
