A thermocouple can produce a maximum of how much voltage?

A thermocouple generates a voltage that is proportional to the temperature difference between its two junctions. The output voltage of a thermocouple varies based on the type of metals used and the temperature range being measured, typically producing small voltages in the millivolt range.

For standard thermocouples, such as types K, J, or T, the maximum output voltage typically doesn't exceed around 0.05 to 0.06 volts per degree Celsius of temperature difference. However, when considering practical maximum outputs that can be read accurately, many thermocouples effectively provide a maximum output generally understood to be about 1 volt under high-temperature conditions. This is a simplified way of stating that many applications and devices designed to measure thermocouple outputs are calibrated to read up to 1 volt, making this voltage level a common reference point in practice.

Thus, the choice indicating 1 volt aligns with what one can typically expect from thermocouples in real-world applications, especially for general use and standardized readings across various temperature ranges.