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A complete guide to professional temperature sensors and switches: sensor types, accuracy, selection criteria, South African supply options, brands, and application tips.
Understand thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, and switches for your specific environment.
Real-world usage in industrial, laboratory, and tertiary education settings in South Africa.
Find local stock, fast quotes, and VAT invoicing through Communica branches.
Temperature monitoring is essential across South African industries, laboratories, automation, and education. From process control in food & beverage plants to environmental monitoring, the correct professional temperature sensors and switches ensure safety, compliance, and reliable operation. At Communica, thousands of temperature components are available - from precision sensors to rugged thermal limit switches for embedded, panel, and industrial applications.
Temperature sensors convert thermal energy into readable signals - typically voltage or resistance. Switches, on the other hand, act as simple on/off thermal triggers. Here's a basic wiring example for a two-wire RTD:
SENSOR (RTD, 2 wire)
RTD --A---B Instrument
A: Signal+ B: Signal-
For digital IC sensors, standard protocols like I2C or 1-Wire are used (Raspberry Pi, or industrial PLCs).
| Sensor Type | Typical Range ( degreesC) | Accuracy | Applications | Brands @ Communica |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermocouples (K/J) | -200 to +1250 | 1 to 3 degreesC | Industrial, kilns, engines | Adafruit, Amphenol, generic bulk |
| RTD (Pt100, Pt1000) | -50 to +600 | 0.1 to 0.5 degreesC | Lab, process, HVAC | Amphenol, ABB, OMEGA |
| Thermistor (NTC/PTC) | -40 to +150 | 0.2 to 2 degreesC | Appliances, prototyping | EPCOS, Vishay, Adafruit |
| Semiconductor IC | -55 to +125 | 0.5 to 2 degreesC | IoT, embedded, labs | Texas Instruments, Maxim (DS18B20), Adafruit |
| Thermal Switch | Preset +30 to +250 | Setpoint 3 degreesC | Overtemp, compressors | Sensata, generic OEM |
Stock, lead times, and brand variety may vary based on supply chains in South Africa. For commonly used formats like NTC thermistors or DS18B20 sensors, same-day collection is often possible at Communica's Samrand, Pretoria, or Cape Town branches.
To convert a thermistor's resistance to a voltage that can be read by an ADC:
Vout = Vcc x [RT / (RT + Rfixed)]
Where RT = thermistor resistance at measured temperature. Use the Steinhart-Hart equation to convert resistance to temperature.
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He's polite, good with people and made me feel free to talk.. all in all he's helpful
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The service was excellent, Nicole and Rehaan were very helpful and professional in their work.
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Quick quality customer service.
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Very good service and a happy welcoming smile from the cashier Nicole
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Verified customerNicolene
Verified customerGreat place to purchase electronic components at a fair price. They have a wide range of products and a well functioning ticketing system that ensures...
After being supplied the incorrect track for my garage motor, despite me asking twice if it was the correct track, I had to return to the store to exc...
They have most every electronics component you might need. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. I was looking for a bespoke miniature item for a lapt...
Great service as always from Nicole and Sydney especially Mpho at the sales desk
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I visit Communica once in a blue moon. Always wish i have more time to look at everything. Good & friendly service. Nothing wrong with a queuing syste...
Currently have only purchased items from their on-line store. Received what I ordered plus quick delivery. No complaints to date.
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I needed a heat-sensitive diode as one of my Philips appliances had had a failure. Philips wants you to throw the entire thing away, but I tried look...
I got the most pleasant service from Sydney and Windie
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Wide range of electronic components. Very likely to find what you are looking for. Arthur was very helpful. Don't bother trying to call for informatio...
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Great pricing and a wide variety of products to choose from. A must visit if you've ever been to the Pretoria branch.
Verified customerNicole was very helpfull and friendly.
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Verified customerFriendly service and a vast range of electronic components, devices etc.
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Verified customerFor Sonoff ewelink WiFi switch.
Verified customerThank you for your patience ma'am Mpho
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Verified customerNicole and Sydney were very helpful
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Verified customerA good electrical/electronic sales store packed with almost every component you require
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Verified customerExcellent, ask for Sydney. Solved immediately
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Verified customerBig electronic component shop. Counter can be very busy. Lots of parking.
Verified customerClose to closing time so i was in and out quickly
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Verified customerExcellent service Nicole
Verified customerLarge selection, low on staff during lunch time when they are busy.
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Verified customerDefinitely will have what you're looking for.
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Verified customergood selection of electronic supplies accessible
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Verified customerBig variety and good prices
Verified customerAll your electronics requirements under one roof, and more!
Verified customerThe place to go whatever your electrical and electronics needs.
Verified customerExcellent range of electronic products
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Verified customerLove everything here...
Verified customerGood range of products
Verified customerWhatever you need they have
Verified customerLarge number of electronic components
Verified customerCan spend hours in there
Verified customerRather a slow process
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Verified customerGet electronic kits
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Verified customerCool electronics
Verified customerFascinating
Verified customerWaiting time can be annoing.
Verified customerCommunica supplies semiconductors and electronic components to industries such as automotive, electrical, automation, mining, and education.
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