IEC 60584-1:20 13规定了字母指定热电偶（R、S、B、J、T、E、K、N、C和A型）的参考功能和公差。基于1990年国际温标ITS-90（符号t90），温度以摄氏度表示，EMF（符号E）以微伏表示。参考函数是多项式，其将EMF（以V为单位）E表示为温度t90（以℃为单位）的函数，其中热电偶参考结处于0℃。每隔1°C的EMF值列于附录A中。本第三版取消并取代1995年出版的第二版，构成技术修订。它包括以下变化: -IEC 60584-1:19 95和IEC 60584-2:20 82已经合并； -该标准现在明确地基于将热电偶电动势表示为温度函数的参考多项式。从多项式导出的表格在附录A中给出； -将温度表示为EMF函数的逆多项式在附录B中给出，但没有给出逆表； -与K型热电偶的EMF相关的多项式的范围被限制为1300℃； -塞贝克系数的值以10℃的间隔给出； -在ITS-90的固定点给出热电数据（电动势和塞贝克系数）； -附录C中给出了关于每种热电偶类型的温度上限和使用环境条件的一些指导。

IEC 60584-1:2013 specifies reference functions and tolerances for letter-designated thermocouples (Types R, S, B, J, T, E, K, N, C and A). Temperatures are expressed in degrees Celsius based on the International Temperature Scale of 1990, ITS-90 (symbol t90), and the EMF (symbol E) is in microvolts. The reference functions are polynomials which express the EMF, E in V, as a function of temperature t90 in °C with the thermocouple reference junctions at 0 °C. Values of EMF at intervals of 1 °C are tabulated in Annex A. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 1995 and constitutes a technical revision. It includes the following changes:
- IEC 60584-1:1995 and IEC 60584-2:1982 have been merged;
- the standard is now explicitly based on the reference polynomials which express thermocouple EMF as functions of temperature. The tables derived from the polynomials are given in Annex A;
- inverse polynomials expressing temperature as functions of EMF are given in Annex B, but inverse tables are not given;
- the range of the polynomial relating the EMF of Type K thermocouples is restricted to 1 300 °C;
- values of the Seebeck coefficients are given at intervals of 10 °C;
- thermoelectric data (EMF and Seebeck coefficients) are given at the fixed points of the ITS-90;
- some guidance is given in Annex C regarding the upper temperature limits and environmental conditions of use for each thermocouple type.