What are thermocouple colour codes?

So that thermocouple types and conductor polarity can be easily determined, various colour codes have been established. In the UK and across Europe we mostly use IEC 60584-3 and or products, as standard, use this colour code.

Occasionally, you might come across ANSI colour codes which are used in the USA and Australia and typically you will come across Type K which has a yellow sheath and red and yellow cores, or a connector to ANSI colours (Type K = yellow).

The table below lists the colour codes for the most popular thermocouples in the UK according to IEC 60584-3.

Thermocouple colour codes to IEC 60584-3

Thermocouple Type Colours Diagram
K Positive Leg = Green,
Negative Leg = White,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Green,
Thermocouple Connector Colour = Green		 Type K thermocouple colours
T Positive Leg = Brown,
Negative Leg = White,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Brown,
Thermocouple Connector Colour = Brown		 Type T thermocouple colours
J Positive Leg = Black,
Negative Leg = White,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Black,
Thermocouple Connector Colour = Black		 Type J thermocouple colours
N Positive Leg = Pink,
Negative Leg = White,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Pink,
Thermocouple Connector Colour = Pink		 Type N thermocouple colours
R / S Positive Leg = Orange,
Negative Leg = White,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Orange,
Thermocouple Connector Colour = Orange		 Type R thermocouple colours
How does a thermocouple work? What is the temperature range of a thermocouple? How accurate is a thermocouple? Which type of junction should I choose?
       
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