PTC Explanation of Terms

Vishay BCcomponents
PTC Thermistors
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
Switch temperature (Ts) R

The switch temperature is the highest temperature at which

the resistance Rs is equal to twice the minimum resistance
Rmin (see Fig.1), so at Ts > TRmin and Rs = 2 Rmin.
Temperature coefficient (α)
1 dR
The temperature coefficient: α = ---- × -------- gives an indication
R dT
R s = 2 x R min
of the relative resistance change per degree Celsius or
R min
kelvin.

For R/T curves plotted on a logarithmic R/T scale: T R min Ts T

d In R 1 d log R Fig.1 Switch temperature.
α = ---------------- = ------------------ × -------------------
dt 0.4343 dT
The maximum temperature coefficient (α) is measured at the
point of inflection of the log R/lin T characteristic, i.e. the
log R 2
point where d2 log R/dT2 = 0 (see Fig.2).
log R
When one resistance decade is taken (R2 = 10 R1), the
formula becomes: point of inflection
100 1
α = ------------------ × ------------------ % ⁄ K
0.4343 T 2 – T 1
Trip time
The trip, or response time is defined as the time taken for the inflectional tangent

PTC thermistor to reach its switching temperature at a log R 1

constant voltage. This time period is also equal to the time T1 T2 T

taken for the current to be reduced by a factor of 2. Fig.2 Temperature coefficient.
The approximate trip time (ts) can be calculated using the
formula: Dissipation factor (D)
h × v × ( T s – T amb ) The dissipation factor (measured in mW/K) is the ratio at a
t s = -------------------------------------------------------
-
I t2 × R – D ( T s – T amb ) specified ambient temperature of a change in power
where: dissipation in a thermistor, to the resultant body temperature
v = the volume of the ceramic in mm3 change. By convention, the dissipation factor can only be
R = (R25 + Rmin)/2 calculated at the peak of the I/V curve, also making use of the
corresponding point on the R/T characteristic.
It = the trip current
By definition:
h = the specific heat of the ceramic;
The electrical power injected in the PTC thermistor is:
h = (2.5 × 10−3 J/K/mm3) 2
P = I R
D = dissipation factor
where R is the resistance (before switching) at Tamb.
Ts = switching temperature The power dissipated by the ceramic is given by:
Tamb = PTC temperature at the beginning of the overload D ( T s – T amb )
current (in general the ambient temperature). where Ts is the switch temperature and Tamb is the ambient
The above formula is only valid for relatively short trip times temperature, then:
2
(< 1 minute). For longer trip times, R should be adapted to: I R = D ( T s – T amb )
3
R = --- × R min Remark: This equation is only valid for temperatures lower
2
than Ts.

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PTC Explanation of Terms
Vishay BCcomponents PTC Thermistors

Trip current (It) Non-trip current (Int) or hold current (IH)

The trip current (It) is defined as the minimum guaranteed The non-trip current (Int) is defined as the guaranteed
current which will cause the thermistor to switch, and can be maximum continuous current at which the thermistor will not
calculated using the formula: switch, and is given by:
= D [ T s – ( T amb + ω ) ]
I t2 R 2 R = D[T – (T
I nt s amb + ω ) ]
D [ T s – ( T amb + ω ) ] D [ T s – ( T amb + ω ) ]
Therefore: I t = ---------------------------------------------------
- Therefore: I nt = --------------------------------------------------
-
R R
where R is the PTC thermistor resistance at Ts. A security margin of −ω °C is maintained to ensure that the
Normally, a security margin of + ω °C is maintained in order thermistor will not switch.
to assure thermistor switching due to inaccuracies in the
values of Ts and Tamb. Since heat dissipated by the device is proportional to the
ambient temperature, the currents have to be derated for
ambients higher than 25 °C according to Fig. 3.

CURRENT DEVIATION AS A FUNCTION OF THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

250

200
It

150
I nt

100 I max

50

0
50 25 0 25 50 75 100
T amb ( oC)

Fig.3 Ambient Temperature

Maximum current (Imax)

The maximum current as stated in our datasheets, is the maximum overload current that may flow through the PTC when passing
from the low ohmic to high ohmic state at rated voltage.
When other voltages are present after tripping, the Imax value can be derived from Fig.4 Imax as a function of voltage graph.
Voltages below Vrated will allow higher overload currents to pass through the PTC.

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 PTC Explanation of Terms
PTC Thermistors Vishay BCcomponents

MAXIMUM CURRENT DEVIATION AS A FUNCTION OF THE VOLTAGE

200

Imax
(%)

150

100

80
0 40 50 70 100 120 150
Vrated (%)
Fig.4 Maximum Current

Thermal time constant (τ)

The thermal time constant is the time required for a thermistor to convert 63.2 % of the total difference between its initial and final
body temperature when subjected to a step function change in temperature under zero power conditions.

Voltage dependence (VDR effect)

PTC thermistors exhibit voltage dependence. The higher the T

final
voltage applied, the more the R/T curve deviates from the 100 %
step function

R/T characteristic at ‘zero voltage’ (measured at a negligibly

small voltage). This voltage dependency can be
temperature of the PTC
demonstrated by applying a pulse voltage to the thermistor 63 %

and then measuring the R/T characteristic.

This effect can be explained with the aid of a parallel

connection of an ‘ideal’ PTC thermistor, having no voltage
0
dependence, and an ‘ideal’ VDR. t
τ
Fig.5 Thermal time constant
Plotted on a log I/log V scale at an arbitrary constant
temperature, the ‘ideal’ PTC and the ‘ideal’ VDR
characteristics are straight lines (see Fig.7).
ideal VDR
These lines coincide with the PTC thermistors curve
(measured under pulse conditions to avoid internal heating)
at low voltages where the ohmic behaviour is the deciding
factor, and at high voltages where the VDR effect becomes
more significant.
θ
ideal PTC

Fig.6 VDR effect

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PTC Explanation of Terms
Vishay BCcomponents PTC Thermistors

V pulse
ideal PTC ideal VDR

V3

V2

PTC curve (no self heating)

V1

I1 I2 I3 I

Fig.7 Relationship between an ‘ideal’ PTC and an ‘ideal’ VDR

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