Adafruit
Adafruit Universal Thermocouple Amplifier MAX31856 Breakout
The Adafruit Universal Thermocouple Amplifier MAX31856 Breakout reads temperature from virtually any thermocouple type — K, J, N, R, S, T, E, or B — with 0.0...
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The Adafruit Universal Thermocouple Amplifier MAX31856 Breakout reads temperature from virtually any thermocouple type — K, J, N, R, S, T, E, or B — with 0.0078125°C resolution and a measurement range of -210°C to +1800°C. It handles cold-junction compensation, linearisation, and fault detection all on-chip.
Communicating over 4-wire SPI, this breakout works with any microcontroller — no analog input required. It includes a 3.3V regulator and level-shifting circuitry for 3.3–5V compatibility, inline filter resistors, and a decoupling capacitor as recommended by Maxim for stable readings.
Key Features
- Universal Thermocouple Support – Works with K, J, N, R, S, T, E, and B type thermocouples
- Wide Temperature Range – -210°C to +1800°C with 0.0078125°C resolution
- 4-Wire SPI Interface – Requires only 4 digital I/O pins
- 3.3V to 5V Compatible – Built-in regulator and level shifting
- Cold-Junction Compensation – Internal temperature sensor for accurate readings
- Fault Detection – Alerts for out-of-range temperatures and thermocouple faults
- On-Board Filtering – Inline resistors and filter capacitor for stable operation
Ideal For
- High-temperature industrial monitoring
- Kiln, oven, and furnace temperature logging
- Multi-thermocouple-type projects
- Scientific and laboratory temperature measurement
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit MAX31856 Breakout (fully assembled and tested)
- 1× 2-pin terminal block (for thermocouple connection — colour may vary)
- 1× Pin header strip
Resources
- Adafruit MAX31856 Tutorial – Wiring diagrams, software libraries, and example code
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 3.3V regulator
- A 3.3V regulator is a power circuit that provides a steady 3.3 volts for parts that need that supply voltage. On a breakout board, it can let the sensor run safely even when the connected microcontroller or power source uses a higher voltage.
- breakout
- A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.
- Cold-junction compensation
- Cold-junction compensation corrects for the temperature at the point where a thermocouple connects to the electronics. It matters because thermocouples measure temperature differences, so this correction is needed for more accurate real-world temperature readings.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- SPI
- A fast serial communication bus often used for displays, memory cards, and sensors. It matters because SPI devices need specific pins for clock and data, plus a separate chip-select line for each device.
- Terminal block
- A terminal block is a connector that joins wires together in a neat, removable, or serviceable way, usually clamping each wire under a screw or spring instead of soldering. It makes it easier to connect, change, or service wiring without permanent joints.
- Thermocouple
- A temperature sensor made from two different metals that produces a very small voltage depending on temperature. Because the signal is tiny, it usually needs careful amplification and accurate measurement hardware.
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