PTC Thermistors As Limit Temperature Sensors: Motor Protection, Single Sensors
PTC Thermistors As Limit Temperature Sensors: Motor Protection, Single Sensors
PTC Thermistors As Limit Temperature Sensors: Motor Protection, Single Sensors
Series/Type: B59100
Date: January 2016
© EPCOS AG 2016. Reproduction, publication and dissemination of this publication, enclosures hereto and the
information contained therein without EPCOS' prior express consent is prohibited.
Tsense Color
°C
60 white/grey
70 white/brown
80 white/white
90 green/green
100 red/red
110 brown/brown
120 grey/grey
130 blue/blue
140 white/blue
145 white/black
150 black/black
155 blue/black
160 blue/red
170 white/green
180 white/red
Reliability data
Characteristics (typical)
PTC resistance RPTC versus PTC temperature TPTC
(measured at low signal voltage)
Characteristics (typical)
PTC resistance RPTC versus PTC temperature TPTC
(measured at low signal voltage)
General
EPCOS thermistors are designed for specific applications and should not be used for purposes
not identified in our specifications, application notes and data books unless otherwise agreed
with EPCOS during the design-in-phase.
Ensure suitability of thermistor through reliability testing during the design-in phase. The ther-
mistors should be evaluated taking into consideration worst-case conditions.
Storage
Store thermistors only in original packaging. Do not open the package prior to processing.
Storage conditions in original packaging: storage temperature 25 °C ... +45 °C, relative hu-
midity ≤75% annual mean, maximum 95%, dew precipitation is inadmissible.
Avoid contamination of thermistors surface during storage, handling and processing.
Avoid storage of thermistor in harmful environment with effect on function on long-term opera-
tion (examples given under operation precautions).
Use thermistor within the following period after delivery:
Through-hole devices (housed and leaded PTCs): 24 months
Motor protection sensors, glass-encapsulated sensors and probe assemblies: 24 months
Telecom pair and quattro protectors (TPP, TQP): 24 months
Leadless PTC thermistors for pressure contacting: 12 months
Leadless PTC thermistors for soldering: 6 months
SMDs in EIA sizes 3225 and 4032, and for PTCs with metal tags: 24 months
SMDs in EIA sizes 1210 and smaller: 12 months
Handling
PTCs must not be dropped. Chip-offs must not be caused during handling of PTCs.
The ceramic and metallization of the components must not be touched with bare hands. Gloves
are recommended.
Avoid contamination of thermistor surface during handling.
Mounting
Electrode must not be scratched before/during/after the mounting process.
Contacts and housing used for assembly with thermistor have to be clean before mounting. Es-
pecially grease or oil must be removed.
When PTC thermistors are encapsulated with sealing material, the precautions given in chapter
"Mounting instructions", "Sealing and potting" must be observed.
When the thermistor is mounted, there must not be any foreign body between the electrode of
the thermistor and the clamping contact.
The minimum force and pressure of the clamping contacts pressing against the PTC must be
10 N and 50 kPa, respectively. In case the assembly is exposed to mechanical shock and/ or
vibration this force should be higher in order to avoid movement of the PTC during operation.
During operation, the thermistor’s surface temperature can be very high. Ensure that adjacent
components are placed at a sufficient distance from the thermistor to allow for proper cooling at
the thermistors.
Ensure that adjacent materials are designed for operation at temperatures comparable to the
surface temperature of thermistor. Be sure that surrounding parts and materials can withstand
this temperature.
Avoid contamination of thermistor surface during processing.
Operation
Use thermistors only within the specified temperature operating range.
Use thermistors only within the specified voltage and current ranges.
Environmental conditions must not harm the thermistors. Use thermistors only in normal at-
mospheric conditions. Avoid use in deoxidizing gases (chlorine gas, hydrogen sulfide gas, am-
monia gas, sulfuric acid gas etc), corrosive agents, humid or salty conditions. Contact with any
liquids and solvents should be prevented.
Be sure to provide an appropriate fail-safe function to prevent secondary product damage
caused by abnormal function (e.g. use VDR for limitation of overvoltage condition).
This listing does not claim to be complete, but merely reflects the experience of EPCOS AG.
The ordering code for one and the same EPCOS product can be represented differently in data
sheets, data books, other publications, on the EPCOS website, or in order-related documents
such as shipping notes, order confirmations and product labels. The varying representations of
the ordering codes are due to different processes employed and do not affect the
specifications of the respective products. Detailed information can be found on the Internet
under www.epcos.com/orderingcodes
Symbol Term
A Area
C Capacitance
Cth Heat capacity
f Frequency
I Current
Imax Maximum current
IR Rated current
Ires Residual current
IPTC PTC current
Ir Residual currrent
Ir,oil Residual currrent in oil (for level sensors)
Ir,air Residual currrent in air (for level sensors)
IRMS Root-mean-square value of current
IS Switching current
ISmax Maximum switching current
LCT Lower category temperature
N Number (integer)
Nc Operating cycles at Vmax, charging of capacitor
Nf Switching cycles at Vmax, failure mode
P Power
P25 Maximum power at 25 °C
Pel Electrical power
Pdiss Dissipation power
RG Generator internal resistance
Rmin Minimum resistance
RR Rated resistance @ rated temperature TR
∆RR Tolerance of RR
RP Parallel resistance
RPTC PTC resistance
Rref Reference resistance
RS Series resistance
R25 Resistance at 25 °C
R25,match Resistance matching per reel/ packing unit at 25 °C
∆R25 Tolerance of R25
T Temperature
t Time
TA Ambient temperature
ta Thermal threshold time
TC Ferroelectric Curie temperature
tE Settling time (for level sensors)
TR Rated temperature @ 25 °C or otherwise specified in the data sheet
Tsense Sensing temperature
Top Operating temperature
TPTC PTC temperature
tR Response time
Tref Reference temperature
TRmin Temperature at minimum resistance
tS Switching time
Tsurf Surface temperature
UCT Upper category temperature
V or Vel Voltage (with subscript only for distinction from volume)
Vc(max) Maximum DC charge voltage of the surge generator
VF,max Maximum voltage applied at fault conditions in protection mode
VRMS Root-mean-square value of voltage
VBD Breakdown voltage
Vins Insulation test voltage
Vlink,max Maximum link voltage
Vmax Maximum operating voltage
Vmax,dyn Maximum dynamic (short-time) operating voltage
Vmeas Measuring voltage
Vmeas,max Maximum measuring voltage
VR Rated voltage
VPTC Voltage drop across a PTC thermistor
α Temperature coefficient
∆ Tolerance, change
δth Dissipation factor
τth Thermal cooling time constant
λ Failure rate
Lead spacing (in mm)
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Important notes
7. The trade names EPCOS, Alu-X, CeraDiode, CeraLink, CeraPad, CeraPlas, CSMP, CSSP,
CTVS, DeltaCap, DigiSiMic, DSSP, ExoCore, FilterCap, FormFit, LeaXield, MiniBlue,
MiniCell, MKD, MKK, MotorCap, PCC, PhaseCap, PhaseCube, PhaseMod, PhiCap, PQSine,
SIFERRIT, SIFI, SIKOREL, SilverCap, SIMDAD, SiMic, SIMID, SineFormer, SIOV, SIP5D,
SIP5K, TFAP, ThermoFuse, WindCap are trademarks registered or pending in Europe and
in other countries. Further information will be found on the Internet at
www.epcos.com/trademarks.
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