How to measure temperature on pipes

You can estimate the temperature of fluid inside a pipe by measuring its surface temperature using DT sensors. This article covers the recommended equipment, installation best practices, and how to account for the temperature offset.

Who is this article for?

Anyone setting up pipe temperature monitoring using DT sensors.

What do you need?

Temperature offset

The difference between the measured pipe surface temperature and the actual fluid temperature is called the temperature offset. The offset is typically several degrees °C and must be factored in when analyzing readings.

The offset is influenced by ambient air temperature, pipe thermal resistance, ventilation, fluid velocity, and the properties of the Pipe Range Extender. In general, the pipe exterior temperature falls somewhere between the ambient air temperature and the fluid temperature inside.

Studio does not have a built-in feature to log offset values — this needs to be handled in a third-party application.

Configuration

Set each sensor to read at your preferred interval. For detecting temperature spikes, measuring every 30 seconds is recommended. See Is it possible to measure temperature more often? article for configuration details.

Installation

Follow the installation guidelines to ensure a robust thermal coupling between the sensor and the pipe:

To minimize temperature offsets and optimize accuracy:

✅ Do: ❌ Don't:
  • Tighten the straps and cover the sensor front with the provided thermal pad.
  • Reduce the distance between the sensor and the pipe surface.
  • Place the sensor on the metal parts of the pipe.
  • Minimize insulation (e.g. paint) at the attachment point to enhance thermal coupling.
  • Add insulating material around the sensor to reduce ambient temperature influence.
  • Follow the installation guidelines.
  • Conduct periodic checks to verify ongoing accuracy.
  • Avoid loose strapping — it reduces thermal coupling accuracy.
  • Avoid placing the sensor where pipe insulation is present.
  • Do not place the sensor directly on plastic pipes - use metal fittings for better heat conduction.