Thermocouple Colour Codes

Thermocouple Cable Identification

Insulated Thermocouple Wire use guidelines according to ANSI colour coding. You will see in the table below, that commonly, negative wires are red, the outer sheath for thermocouple grades is brown and the positive lead is colour coded according to thermocouple type. For extension grade cables this positive leg colour is also carried over to the outer insulation colour. fibreglass insulated wires follow the same system but have a coloured tracer rather than a solid colour.

We have large stocks of Thermocouple Wire (Cable) in all thermocouple types (K, J, T, N, R/S, E etc.) in PVC, Fibreglass, PFA, Silicone Rubber, XLPE and Ceramic Fibre insulation. Our thermocouple wire is ANSI standard colour coded and to ANSI tolerances, although other colour codes are also available.

We also have an extensive range of data sheets available for all our Thermocouple Wire.

Thermocouple Cable colours, Ranges and Tolerances

Thermocouple Type	Colour Code to ANSI MC96.1	International colour Code to IEC 60584-3
K
T
J
N
E
S
R

Click here for a printable PDF version!

Thermocouple colours in Detail

What is the colour Code for a Type K Thermocouple?

In Australia, the most widely used colour code for Type K thermocouples is to the ANSI MC96.1-1982 standard which is as follows:

Positive Leg = Yellow,
Negative Leg = Red,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Yellow,
Thermocouple Connector colour = Yellow

IEC colours may also be found which have a green outer sheath with green and white conductors as shown above.

What is the colour Code for a Type T Thermocouple?

In Australia, the most widely used colour code for Type T thermocouples is to the ANSI MC96.1-1982 standard which is as follows:

Positive Leg = Blue,
Negative Leg = Red,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Blue,
Thermocouple Connector colour = Blue

IEC colours may also be found which have a brown outer sheath with brown and white conductors as shown above.

What is the colour Code for a Type J Thermocouple?

In Australia, the most widely used colour code for Type J thermocouples is to the ANSI MC96.1-1982 standard which is as follows:

Positive Leg = White,
Negative Leg = Red,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Black,
Thermocouple Connector colour = Black

IEC colours may also be found which have a black outer sheath with black and white conductors as shown above.

What is the colour Code for a Type N Thermocouple?

In Australia, the most widely used colour code for Type N thermocouples is to the ASTM E 230 standard which is as follows:

Positive Leg = Orange,
Negative Leg = Red,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Orange,
Thermocouple Connector colour = Orange

IEC colours may also be found which have a pink outer sheath with pink and white conductors as shown above.

What is the colour Code for a Type E Thermocouple?

In Australia, the most widely used colour code for Type E thermocouples is to the ANSI MC96.1-1982 standard which is as follows:

Positive Leg = Purple,
Negative Leg = Red,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Purple,
Thermocouple Connector colour = Purple

IEC colours may also be found which have a purple outer sheath with purple and white conductors as shown above.

What is the colour Code for a Type S Thermocouple?

In Australia, the most widely used colour code for Type S thermocouples is to the ANSI MC96.1-1982 standard which is as follows:

Positive Leg = Black,
Negative Leg = Red,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Green,
Thermocouple Connector colour = Green

IEC colours may also be found which have an orange outer sheath with orange and white conductors as shown above.

What is the colour Code for a Type R Thermocouple?

In Australia, the most widely used colour code for Type R thermocouples is to the ANSI MC96.1-1982 standard which is as follows:

Positive Leg = Black,
Negative Leg = Red,
Outer Sheath (Jacket) = Green,
Thermocouple Connector colour = Green

IEC colours may also be found which have a orange outer sheath with orange and white conductors as shown above.

Thermocouple Wire - Data Sheets

Heat Resistant PVC Insulated Thermocouple Extension Wire

Flame Retardant PVC Insulated Thermocouple Extension Wire

PFA Insulated Thermocouple Extension Wire

fibreglass Insulated PVC Insulated Thermocouple Extension Wire

XLPE / MICA / Silicon Rubber and Kapton Thermocouple Extension Wire