Nate Electrical Practice Exam

What is the millivolt reading of a functioning thermocouple?

1. 5 mv

2. 15 mv

3. 30 mf

4. 120 mv

The correct answer is: 15 mv

A functioning thermocouple produces a millivolt output that is directly related to the temperature difference it measures. The millivolt output varies based on the type of thermocouple and the specific temperature range being measured. In general, common thermocouples such as Type K can generate approximately 40 to 50 mV at temperatures around 1000°F. More typically, the output can be seen in the range of 10 to 20 mV for lower temperatures, depending on the exact conditions and materials used. While the other choices may present plausible options, a typical operational reading of around 15 mV is within the expected range for a functioning thermocouple in many practical applications. This value reflects typical outputs that might be observed under certain conditions without the thermocouple exceeding its operational capacity or measurement limitations. The importance of this specific reading lies in its representation of temperature measurement accuracy and reliability in typical working environments. Thus, the choice of 15 mV represents a reasonable expectation for a functioning thermocouple under standard measurement scenarios.