Adafruit
Thermocouple Amplifier with 1-Wire Breakout Board - MAX31850K
The MAX31850K breakout board is a 1-Wire thermocouple amplifier with cold-junction compensation for K-type thermocouples. Unlike SPI-based amplifiers, the 1-...
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The MAX31850K breakout board is a 1-Wire thermocouple amplifier with cold-junction compensation for K-type thermocouples. Unlike SPI-based amplifiers, the 1-Wire interface allows any number of thermocouple breakouts to share a single data line — ideal for multi-point temperature measurement.
The board includes the MAX31850K chip, a 3.3V regulator, and 10μF bypass capacitors, all assembled and tested. It supports both parasitic power (power on the data line) and local power via the Vin pin.
Key Features
- 1-Wire Interface – Multiple thermocouple amps on a single shared data line
- K-Type Thermocouple Only – Measures -270°C to +1370°C in 0.25°C increments
- Internal Temperature Reading – Built-in cold-junction compensation
- Parasitic or Local Power – Flexible power configuration
- 3.3V to 5V Supply – On-board 3.3V regulator (data line is 3V only)
- Breadboard Friendly – Included pin header for easy prototyping
Package Contents
- 1× MAX31850K breakout board (assembled and tested)
- 1× 2-pin terminal block (for thermocouple connection)
- 1× 4.7K data line pull-up resistor
- 1× Pin header
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 1-Wire
- 1-Wire is a communication method where devices share a single data line, often with each device having its own address. It matters because several temperature modules can be connected to one microcontroller pin instead of needing a separate pin for each probe.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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