Adafruit
Thermocouple Amplifier MAX31855 breakout board (MAX6675 upgrade)
The MAX31855 Thermocouple Amplifier Breakout converts K-type thermocouple readings into digital data via SPI, handling cold-junction compensation automatical...
The MAX31855 Thermocouple Amplifier Breakout converts K-type thermocouple readings into digital data via SPI, handling cold-junction compensation automatically. It measures temperatures from −200°C to +1350°C in 0.25°C increments, making it suitable for a wide range of temperature monitoring applications.
The breakout includes the MAX31855K chip, a 3.3 V regulator with 10 µF bypass capacitors, and level-shifting circuitry for 3.3–5 V compatibility. It comes with a 2-pin terminal block for the thermocouple connection and a pin header for breadboard use.
Key Features
- K-Type Thermocouple Interface – Digital SPI output with cold-junction compensation
- Wide Temperature Range – −200°C to +1350°C in 0.25°C increments
- 3.3–5 V Compatible – On-board regulator and level shifting for flexible logic levels
- SPI Interface – Requires only 3 digital I/O pins
- Internal Temperature Sensor – Built-in cold-junction temperature reading
- Fully Assembled – Tested and ready to use with included terminal block and header
Specifications
- IC – MAX31855K (replaces discontinued MAX6675)
- Thermocouple Type – K-type only
- Temperature Range – −200°C to +1350°C
- Resolution – 0.25°C
- Accuracy – ±2°C to ±6°C (typical for K-type thermocouples)
- Interface – SPI (3 digital pins)
- Supply Voltage – 3.3–5 V
Ideal For
- High-temperature monitoring (ovens, kilns, furnaces)
- Industrial process temperature measurement
- 3D printer hotend monitoring
- Arduino and microcontroller temperature logging
Package Contents
- 1× MAX31855 Thermocouple Amplifier Breakout (assembled and tested)
- 1× 2-pin terminal block
- 1× Pin header
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- breakout
- A breakout is a small circuit board that makes a tiny or hard-to-solder component easier to connect to with standard pins. It matters because this OLED module can be wired into a microcontroller project without needing to solder directly to the display’s fine 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.
- 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.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- 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 connector used to join wires together in a neat, removable, or serviceable way. For this product, it helps split one power input into several outputs without soldering.
- 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.
Find this product in
Brands
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
