Adafruit
Analog Output K-Type Thermocouple Amplifier - AD8495 Breakout
The AD8495 from Analog Devices is an analog-output K-type thermocouple amplifier on a compact breakout board. Simply power the board with 3–18V DC, connect a...
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The AD8495 from Analog Devices is an analog-output K-type thermocouple amplifier on a compact breakout board. Simply power the board with 3–18V DC, connect a K-type thermocouple to the terminal block, and read the temperature as a voltage on the OUT pin — no digital protocols or complex configuration needed.
Temperature conversion is straightforward: Temperature = (Vout - 1.25) / 0.005 V. For example, 1.5V output = 50°C. The board includes a TLVH431 1.25V precision voltage reference for accurate cold-junction compensation.
Key Features
- Simple Analog Output – Read temperature as a voltage on any ADC pin
- Wide Power Range – 3V to 18V DC input
- Cold-Junction Compensation – Built-in TLVH431 1.25V precision reference
- Terminal Block Included – Easy thermocouple connection, no soldering needed
- Breadboard Friendly – Pin header included for prototyping
Specifications
- Amplifier – Analog Devices AD8495
- Thermocouple Type – K-type only
- Supply Voltage – 3V to 18V DC
- Output – Analog voltage (5 mV/°C)
- Temperature Range (5V power) – -250°C to +750°C (0 to 5V output)
- Temperature Range (3.3V power) – -250°C to +410°C (0 to 3.3V output)
- Conversion Formula – Temperature = (Vout - 1.25) / 0.005
Package Contents
- 1× AD8495 Thermocouple Amplifier Breakout Board (fully assembled)
- 1× 2-pin terminal block (colour may vary)
- 1× Pin header
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- ADC
- An analogue-to-digital converter reads a changing voltage and turns it into a number the microcontroller can use. It matters when connecting analogue sensors such as light, sound, or variable-resistor sensors.
- 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.
- DC
- DC means direct current, where electricity flows in one constant direction, as supplied by batteries, USB ports and many plug-pack power supplies. When a product specifies DC, it runs from a DC supply rather than mains AC, so you need to provide the correct voltage and polarity.
- K-Type
- K-Type refers to a common thermocouple probe type made from specific metal alloys and suited to very high temperature measurement. It matters because the amplifier and the probe type must match; a K-Type amplifier is intended for K-Type thermocouples, not every thermocouple style.
- 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.
- voltage reference
- A voltage reference is a stable, accurate voltage that a converter uses as its comparison point: an ADC measures its inputs relative to it, while a DAC scales its output to it. A more stable reference gives more consistent results, which matters most in precision sensing and instrumentation.
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