constantan

1 9.5

A metal made from copper and nickel used for wires that keep their electrical resistance stable

noun
/ˈkɒnstəntæn/

Specialized

: constantán

Because of its properties, constantan is preferred for electrical resistance applications.

Examples

To ensure accurate measurements, laboratories often use constantan in thermocouples.
The heating element is made of constantan wire for its stability.
The constantan wire is essential for accurate temperature measurements.
Many thermocouples use constantan for its stable resistance.
The electrician used constantan wire to create a durable and efficient resistance for the circuit.
Because of its high electrical resistance, constantan is often chosen for use in temperature sensors.
To measure the voltage changes accurately, the engineer decided to work with constantan in the experimental setup.

Synonyms

Eureka

vsconstantan

Specialized

1 9.9

A metal made from copper and nickel used to make wire with steady electrical resistance

is the same alloy but named differently in some contexts

Surface Forms

constantan singular

constantans plural

Etymology

Constantan contains the familiar part constant 'steady' plus the ending -an, so a helpful way to remember it is as a metal alloy whose electrical resistance stays very steady as temperature changes. That's why constantan is used for resistance wires and in thermocouples.