# Connecting the MAX31855 Thermocouple Amplifier breakout to an Electric Imp ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/010/894/medium800/microcontrollers_assembled_circuit.png?1378859272) If you are interested in Internet of Things projects, this tutorial is a simple and very practical way to get started. The Electric Imp platform was created specifically for Internet of Things devices, and measuring temperature is a great way to learn. In this tutorial, we will be connecting an Electric Imp to the Adafruit MAX31855 Thermocouple Amplifier breakout board using one of the Serial Peripheral Interface Buses (SPI) available on the Electric Imp. Then we will connect a K-type thermocouple, and send the data to Xively and Twitter. Our maker objectives: - Assemble the breakout boards. - Breadboard the circuit, and attach the thermocouple. - Load the Electric Imp device code, and log temperature data in the Web IDE. - Create a Xively.com developer account, and a Feed and Channel to push data to. - Load/Configure the Electric Imp agent code for Xively, and push temperature data. - Optionally, download the iPhone app "Pitchfork", and subscribe to our Xively Feed. - Create a Twitter developer application and configure it to tweet from the Imp. - Load/Configure the Electric Imp agent code for Twitter and tweet our temperature data. Our learning objectives: - Understand how to configure and use SPI on the Electric Imp. - Electric Imp pin configuration: [http://devwiki.electricimp.com/doku.php?id=imppinmux](http://devwiki.electricimp.com/doku.php?id=imppinmux) - Read up on SPI here: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial\_Peripheral\_Interface\_Bus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Peripheral_Interface_Bus) - Understand how to connect to and read from the MAX31855 thermocouple amplifier. - MAX31855 datasheet: [http://www.adafruit.com/datasheets/MAX31855.pdf](http://www.adafruit.com/datasheets/MAX31855.pdf) - Understand how thermocouples work. [http://learn.adafruit.com/thermocouple/overview](http://learn.adafruit.com/thermocouple/overview) - Learn how to create a Xively feed and push data to it. - Learn how to create a Twitter developer application and tweet from the Electric Imp. Thermocouples are really great for extreme temperatures! Here are some projects ideas. - BBQ/Grill/Smoker temperature monitor - Oven temperature monitor - Homebrewing temperature monitor (Mashing, chilling, boiling, fermenting, ect) - SMT reflow oven temperature monitor/control - Fridge/Freezer/Kegerator temperature monitor - Soldering Iron temperature monitor - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/connecting-the-max31855-thermocouple-amplifier-breakout-to-an-electric-imp/breadboarding-the-circuit.md) ## Featured Products ### Electric Imp [Electric Imp](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1129) What is the electric imp? In essence, the Imp provides an easy, integrated way to connect almost any hardware device both to other devices and to internet services. It's more than just a WiFi card, or even a WiFi module with processing built in - it's an integrated platform that deals... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1129) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1129/guides) ### Electric Imp April: Basic prototyping [Electric Imp April: Basic prototyping](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1130) The April is a handy companion for your Electric Imp card. This breakout board provides just the bare minimum for Imp life support - a socket, an ID chip, and a 3.3v buck power supply for high power efficiency. Small and cheap, it's easy to integrate into products for demos or even use in... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1130) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1130/guides) ### Thermocouple Amplifier MAX31855 breakout board (MAX6675 upgrade) [Thermocouple Amplifier MAX31855 breakout board (MAX6675 upgrade)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/269) Thermocouples are very sensitive, requiring a good amplifier with a cold-compensation reference. The MAX31855K does everything for you, and can be easily interfaced with any microcontroller, even one without an analog input. This breakout board has the chip itself, a 3.3V regulator with 10uF... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/269) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/269/guides) ### Thermocouple Type-K Glass Braid Insulated [Thermocouple Type-K Glass Braid Insulated](https://www.adafruit.com/product/270) Thermocouples are best used for measuring temperatures that can go above 100 °C. This is a bare wires bead-probe which can measure air or surface temperatures. Most inexpensive thermocouples have a vinyl covering which can melt at around 200 °C, this one uses a fiberglass braid so it... 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In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/153) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/153/guides) ## Related Guides - [Calibrating Sensors](https://learn.adafruit.com/calibrating-sensors.md) - [MicroPython Hardware: SPI Devices](https://learn.adafruit.com/micropython-hardware-spi-devices.md) - [MAX31855 Thermocouple](https://learn.adafruit.com/thermocouple.md) - [Adding a Single Board Computer to Blinka](https://learn.adafruit.com/adding-a-single-board-computer-to-blinka.md) - [Google Docs Sensor Logging From Your PC](https://learn.adafruit.com/gdocs-sensor-logging-from-your-pc.md) - [ Analog IC Insights On-the-Go by Maxim Integrated](https://learn.adafruit.com/maxim-app.md) - [Adafruit FT232H With SPI & I2C Devices](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-ft232h-with-spi-and-i2c-libraries.md) - [MAX31855 Thermocouple Sensor Python Library](https://learn.adafruit.com/max31855-thermocouple-python-library.md) - [Adafruit 1-Wire Thermocouple Amplifier - MAX31850K](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-1-wire-thermocouple-amplifier-max31850k.md) - [CircuitPython I2C and SPI Under the Hood](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-basics-i2c-and-spi.md) - [CircuitPython Libraries on Linux and the 96Boards DragonBoard 410c](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-libraries-on-linux-and-the-96boards-dragonboard-410c.md) - [Skill Badge Requirements: Microcontrollers](https://learn.adafruit.com/skill-badge-requirements-microcontrollers.md) - [ Understanding microSD and SD cards: speeds, markings and more](https://learn.adafruit.com/understanding-microsd-and-sd-cards-speeds-markings-and-more.md) - [Circuit Playground Sound-Controlled Robot](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-sound-controlled-robot.md) - [Modern Replacements for DHT11 and DHT22 Sensors](https://learn.adafruit.com/modern-replacements-for-dht11-dht22-sensors.md)