The metals and alloys used have proven properties and are standardised at international level in terms of materials, transfer curves, symbols, tolerances and colour codes in accordance with standards:

  • IEC 584-1 (formerly NF C 42-321) Reference tables – e = f(Θ)
  • IEC 584-2 (formerly NF C 42-322) Tolerances
  • IEC 584-3 (formerly NF C 42-323) Identification of thermocouples and compensating cables
  • IEC 584-4 (formerly NF C 42-324) Extension and compensating cables for thermocouples
  • IEC 584-5 (formerly NF C 42-325) “Coated” cables and thermocouples
TypeColours
IEC 584-3
(+ / -)		Colours
NF C 42-323
1985
(+ / -)		Usage
range		Tolerances NF EN 60-584
Class 1		Tolerances NF EN 60-584
Class 2
BGrey / WhiteYellow / Grey+600 to +1700°C–±0.0025.Θ from 600 to +1700°C
EPurple / WhiteYellow / Orange-40 at +900°C±1.5°C from -40 to +375°C
±0.0004.Θ from 375 to800°C		±2.5°C from -40 to +333°C
±0.0075.Θ from 333 to 900°C
JBlack / WhiteYellow / Black-40 to +750°C±1.5°C from -40 to +375°C
±0.004.Θ from 375 to 750°C		±2.5°C from -40 to +333°C
±0.0075.Θ from 333 to 750°C
KGreen / WhiteYellow / Purple-40 to +1200°C±1.5°C from -40 to +375°C
±0.004.Θ from 375 to 1000°C		±2.5°C from -40 to +333°C
±0.0075.Θ from 333 to 1200°C
NPink / White–-40 to +1200°C±1.5°C from -40 to +375°C
±0.004.Θ from 375 to 1000°C		±2.5°C from -40 to +333°C
±0.0075.Θ from 333 to 1000°C
ROrange / WhiteYellow / Green0 to +1600°C±1.0°C from 0 to +1100°C
±1+0.003.(Θ-1100) from 1100 to 1600°C		±1.5°C from 0 to +600°C
±0.0025.Θ from 600 to 1600°C
SOrange / WhiteYellow / Green0 to +1600°C±1.0°C from 0 to +1100°C
±1+0.003.(Θ-1100) from 1100 to 1600°C		±1.5°C from 0 to +600°C
±0.0025.Θ from 600 to 1600°C
TBrown / WhiteYellow / Blue-40 to +350°C±0.5°C from -40 to +125°C
±0.004.Θ from 125 to 350°C		±1.0°C from -40 to +133°C
±0.0075.Θ from 133 to 350°C