One important factor in using cable thermocouples to monitor temperature changes in a furnace and in the semifinished products being heated in the furnace is the stability of the thermo-emf of the thermocouples over the entire heating operation. Drift of the thermo-emf at the upper limit of the working range is unavoidable at temperatures of 1200-1300 degrees C. A study is made of the stability of the calibration curves of heat-resistant K-and N-type cable thermocouples 1.5 and 3.0 mm in diameter when they are annealed in air at 1200 degrees C. It is found that the thermo-emf undergoes significant drift and exceeds the range of values allowed by the standard GOST R 8.585-2001 for these types of thermocouples. It is also established that there is appreciable shunting of the thermocouple signal on the intermediate section of the cable above 1000 degrees C.