Abstract. The main temperature characteristics of a pressurized water reactor are distinguished, supporting its safety and reliable operation. The special role of the uranium fuel effective temperature is emphasized and the accuracy of the analytical determination of the power effect is increased. The calculation of the temperature distribution along the radius of the fuel rod was carried out taking into account the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity UO2. The design procedure was corrected for using the Finca-Ronchi dependence for the thermal conductivity of 95% density of the theoretical one.