Confirm the dimensions of the selected construction.
GUILCOR · Temperature at the surface
Surface contact
temperature probes
Measure on the outside of pipes, tanks and equipment. Define a secure mounting point when immersion or opening the process is not the right option.
- External measurement
- Mounting options
- Sensor choice
01 / Family capabilities
Keep the process closed. Define the measurement.
Match the sensor, attachment and cable to the operating conditions.
Confirm the complete assembly and the specified exposure conditions.
Choose the element, wiring and readout together.
These values describe the family, not every reference. The smallest diameter, full temperature interval and highest ingress protection are not automatically available together.
Selection guide
Is this the right probe for your application?
Start with this family when…
The accessible measurement point is a pipe wall or component surface. Define the contact area and how the probe will stay attached.
Prepare your specification →Also consider
Threaded probes
You need an internal process measurement and have a suitable port. Review a threaded assembly and its sealing requirements.
Threaded probes →Also consider
Ambient probes
Your target is the surrounding air. Choose the location around airflow and nearby heat sources rather than attaching the sensor to the equipment surface.
Ambient probes →These families describe different parts of an assembly and can overlap. Confirm the complete construction for your application.
02 / Interactive mounting guide
Build the brief around the contact point.
Start with the surface and attachment. The checklist changes with your selections so the installation details travel with the sensor specification.
Your installation brief
This guide records requirements. It does not select a product reference or calculate fluid temperature, accuracy or response time.
Preview your installation brief
03 / Understand surface measurement
A useful reading starts with the installation.
Surface temperature comes first.
A contact probe senses its mounting surface. Treat an estimate of the fluid temperature as a separate application requirement and validate it under real operating conditions.
Give the sensing face a stable seat.
Match the contact geometry to the surface and follow the mounting instructions. Poor contact and environmental heat exchange can influence the reading.
Review the complete mounting point.
Include surface condition, fixing, ambient exposure and insulation in the installation review. Confirm the temperature limits of each part.
Technical reading: surface sensor mounting and thermal contact
04 / Mounting choices
Choose the attachment for the job.
Strap or collar
For a curved support, specify the outside diameter, contact profile, mounting space and retention requirements.
Magnetic attachment
Confirm that the support is ferromagnetic. Review retention, surface coating, vibration and the temperature limits of the selected assembly.
Adhesive attachment
Specify surface preparation and an approved adhesive for the temperature, environment and maintenance plan.
Screw or fixing point
Define the fixing geometry and contact area. Confirm the mounting arrangement without unintentionally penetrating the process wall.
Mounting options depend on the selected construction. Confirm retention and service access before installation.
05 / GUILCOR assembly examples
Different contact faces. A defined mounting point.
Explore the original assembly examples. Use a photo to describe the construction you need, then confirm the complete specification with GUILCOR.
06 / Application areas
Measure where access makes the difference.
Lines without immersion access
Review external measurement for hot water networks, heating circuits and chilled water equipment.
Maintenance and diagnostics
Plan repeatable positioning for temporary measurements, commissioning and on-site checks.
HVAC installations
Monitor the surfaces of heating pipes, domestic hot water circuits and chiller installations.
Process equipment
Specify the contact point on tanks, heat exchangers, engines or other equipment.
Heated pipe monitoring
Measure the pipe surface while keeping the sensing element outside the fluid circuit.
Industrial refrigeration
Review cold surfaces, condensation, cable routing and insulation where process access is limited.
07 / Sensing element
Match the contact assembly to your readout.
RTD
Define the resistance element, tolerance and wiring.
Explore the family →Thermistors
Match the characteristic to the controller.
Explore the family →Thermocouples
Specify the alloy type and operating interval.
Explore the family →Other sensing options
Review the interface and assembly requirements.
Explore the family →Available combinations depend on the dimensions, temperature interval and complete construction.
08 / Prepare your specification
Send the installation as well as the sensor.
Send a photo or drawing of the surface, its material and any coating, with the pipe outside diameter or flat contact area. State whether you need the surface temperature or an estimate of the fluid temperature, and how you will validate that measurement.
| Surface | Shape, material, outside diameter or flat dimensions, coating and available access. |
|---|---|
| Attachment | Fixing method, mounting geometry, retention, removability and vibration. |
| Measurement | Surface or fluid-temperature objective, operating interval, accuracy target and response needs. |
| Environment | Ambient temperature, airflow, moisture, cleaning, insulation and cable protection. |
| Electrical | Sensing element, readout, wiring, cable length and termination. |
| Production | Quantity, sample validation, calibration, traceability and delivery target. |
09 / Frequently asked questions
Before you specify the contact probe.
Does a contact probe measure the fluid directly?
It measures at the external surface. Whether that reading is suitable for estimating fluid temperature must be checked for the actual installation and operating conditions.
Can magnetic mounting be used on any metal?
No. A magnetic attachment requires a suitable ferromagnetic support. Material, coating, geometry and operating conditions must be confirmed.
Can the process stay closed?
An external contact arrangement can avoid a sensing element entering the fluid. Confirm the fixing method and installation procedure for the equipment.
Is contact measurement useful for hygiene-sensitive processes?
Keeping the sensing element outside the fluid can avoid introducing a wetted sensor. It does not, by itself, certify the complete installation for food, pharmaceutical or healthcare use.
Is sensor accuracy enough to specify the result?
The element specification is only part of the measurement. Define how the complete installed assembly will be evaluated against the required temperature and response targets.
Does every construction cover −50 to +350 °C and IP68?
These are family capabilities. Confirm the actual sensor, mounting, cable and sealing limits together for the chosen reference.
What are the order and delivery conditions?
The original offer lists a €200 minimum order, around 5 weeks indicative lead time and pricing on request. Confirm current terms for your configuration and quantity.
Your application
Let us define the contact point together.
Send the surface details, mounting requirements, sensor choice and quantities. GUILCOR can review a construction around your equipment.
Discuss your surface contact probe →Minimum order€200
Indicative lead time≈ 5 weeks
PricingOn request
Commercial terms are indicative and subject to confirmation for the selected configuration and quantity.
More than 1,000,000 probes delivered in 2025.