A thermopile consists of a series of what?

A thermopile consists of a series of thermocouples. Thermocouples are devices that generate a voltage in response to a temperature difference between their two junctions. In a thermopile, multiple thermocouples are arranged in series or parallel to amplify the voltage signal produced by temperature changes, making them useful for applications such as measuring temperature or converting thermal energy into electrical energy.

The arrangement of thermocouples allows for greater sensitivity and accuracy in detecting temperature variations compared to a single thermocouple. This characteristic is pivotal in various applications, including heat sensing and infrared thermometry. Understanding the function and construction of a thermopile is essential, especially in fire investigations where temperature analysis can play a critical role in identifying fire causes and dynamics.