TC-08 Data Logger

The Pico USB TC-08 Thermocouple Data Logger is designed for engineers, laboratories, industrial test teams and researchers who need reliable multi-channel temperature measurement and long-term data recording.

It provides 8 direct thermocouple input channels using miniature thermocouple connectors and supports all commonly used thermocouple types:

• Type B
• Type E
• Type J
• Type K
• Type N
• Type R
• Type S
• Type T

Depending on the thermocouple selected, the TC-08 can measure temperatures across an overall range from −270 °C to +1820 °C. This broad temperature coverage makes it suitable for applications ranging from cryogenic and environmental measurements to high-temperature process, furnace and materials testing.

8-Channel Temperature Measurement

A single TC-08 can monitor and record up to 8 thermocouple channels simultaneously.

This allows engineers to measure temperature at multiple points within:

• Electronic assemblies
• Battery packs
• Power electronics
• Motors and generators
• HVAC systems
• Furnaces and ovens
• Manufacturing equipment
• Environmental chambers
• Research experiments
• Prototype systems

For larger installations, PicoLog software supports up to 20 TC-08 units, providing a maximum of 160 thermocouple channels on one computer.

20-Bit Measurement Resolution

The TC-08 uses a 20-bit analog-to-digital converter with a published noise-free resolution of 16.25 bits.

The high-resolution measurement architecture allows the logger to detect small changes in thermocouple voltage and temperature, making it suitable for applications where stable and detailed temperature trends need to be recorded.

For example, Pico specifies temperature resolution better than 0.025 °C over much of the Type K operating range, depending on temperature.

Built-In Cold Junction Compensation

Accurate thermocouple measurement requires compensation for the temperature at the point where the thermocouple connects to the measurement instrument.

The TC-08 includes built-in cold junction compensation (CJC) to perform this correction automatically.

The internal CJC measurement can also be used as an additional ambient-temperature channel, effectively allowing the internal cold-junction temperature to be monitored alongside connected thermocouples.

Fast Temperature Acquisition

Pico specifies a conversion time of:

• 100 ms per thermocouple channel
• Plus 100 ms for cold junction compensation

The TC-08 can therefore perform up to 10 measurements per second in total, with the cold-junction measurement counting as an additional conversion.

The actual update rate for each thermocouple depends on the number of enabled channels and whether CJC is required.

This acquisition rate is suitable for applications such as:

• Thermal profiling
• Heating and cooling tests
• Equipment temperature monitoring
• Electronics thermal validation
• Environmental testing
• Process-temperature logging

High Temperature Measurement Accuracy

Pico specifies the TC-08 temperature accuracy as:

±0.2% of reading ±0.5 °C

The final system accuracy also depends on the thermocouple type, thermocouple accuracy, installation, electrical noise and measurement conditions.

For applications requiring documented measurement traceability, Pico offers an optional calibration service referenced to national standards.

Direct Voltage Measurement

The TC-08 can also be used as a low-level voltage data logger.

Its voltage input specifications include:

• Input range: ±70 mV
• Voltage accuracy: ±0.2% of reading ±10 µV
• Input impedance: 2 MΩ
• Overvoltage protection: ±30 V
• Maximum common-mode voltage: ±7.5 V

Voltage measurement capability is useful for compatible sensors and low-level signal sources that fall within the specified input range.

An optional single-channel terminal board can be connected to a TC-08 input to simplify connection to sensors with voltage or current outputs.

USB Powered Operation

The TC-08 connects to a computer through USB 2.0 and is powered directly from the USB port.

No separate external power adapter is required for normal operation.

This simplifies use in:

• Laboratory benches
• Portable test setups
• Engineering workstations
• Environmental tests
• Temporary measurement installations
• Educational laboratories

PicoLog Cloud Software

The TC-08 works with PicoLog Cloud, Pico Technology's data acquisition and logging software.

PicoLog provides tools for:

• Real-time temperature monitoring
• Multi-channel graphing
• Table views
• Channel configuration
• Mathematical channels
• Programmable alarms
• Notes and annotations
• Multiple Y axes
• Long-duration logging
• Data export
• Capture sharing
• Multiple Pico data loggers on one computer

Logged data can be exported in formats including CSV and PDF for further analysis, reporting and documentation.

Remote Data Access with PicoLog Cloud

PicoLog Cloud can upload compatible captures to Pico's cloud service.

This allows measurement data to be accessed or shared through a browser on compatible:

• Desktop computers
• Laptops
• Tablets
• Smartphones

This can be useful for remote monitoring, distributed engineering teams, long-running experiments and temperature tests that do not require an operator to remain beside the measurement system.

PicoSDK for Custom Applications

Pico provides PicoSDK for users who want to develop custom applications around the TC-08.

The SDK can support integration with custom test systems and third-party applications. Pico provides programming examples for environments including:

• C
• C++
• C#
• Visual Basic .NET
• Microsoft Excel
• LabVIEW
• MATLAB

This makes the TC-08 suitable for both standard PicoLog operation and custom automated measurement systems.

Typical Applications

The Pico TC-08 is suitable for:

• Multi-channel temperature data logging
• Electronics thermal testing
• Battery temperature monitoring
• EV and power-electronics development
• Motor and generator temperature testing
• Furnace and oven monitoring
• Environmental chamber testing
• HVAC temperature measurements
• Industrial equipment monitoring
• Manufacturing process validation
• Food and laboratory temperature monitoring
• Research experiments
• Product design verification
• Thermal profiling
• Long-duration temperature studies
• Educational laboratory experiments
• Automated test systems