Thermistor

THERMISTOR
THERMAL RESISTOR
OVERVIEW
• Introduction
• Definition of Thermistor
• Thermistor symbols
• Structure and Composition
• Types of Thermistor
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Thermistor
• Applications
INTRODUCTION
Temperature sensor
Temperature sensing is one of the most sensitive properties or parameters for
industries like petrochemical, automotive, aerospace and defense, consumer
electronics, and so on. These sensors are installed into devices with the purpose of
measuring the temperature of a medium accurately and efficiently in a given set
of requirements.
Temperature detection is the foundation for all advanced forms of temperature
control and compensation. The temperature detection circuit itself monitors
ambient temperature. It can then notify the system either of the actual
temperature or, if the detection circuit is more intelligent, when a temperature
control event occurs. When a specific high temperature threshold is exceeded
preventative action can be taken by the system to lower the temperature.
Temperature detection is the foundation for all advanced forms of temperature
control and compensation. The temperature detection circuit itself monitors
ambient temperature. It can then notify the system either of the actual
temperature or, if the detection circuit is more intelligent, when a temperature
control event occurs. When a specific high temperature threshold is exceeded
preventative action can be taken by the system to lower the temperature.
Similarly, a temperature detection circuit can serve as the core of a temperature
compensation function. Temperature, in this case, directly affects the volume
measured. By taking temperature into account, the system can compensate for
changing environment factors, enabling it to operate reliably and
consistently. There are four commonly used temperature sensor types: Resistance
Temperature Detector (RTD), Thermocouple, Semiconductor-based sensors, and
Thermistor.
THERMISTOR
• The term thermistor is a contraction of the words “thermal” and “resistor”.

• It is invented by Samuel Ruben in 1930.
• It is a resistor whose resistance changes significantly with a change in
temperature.
STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION
• Thermistors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are made from a
variety of materials dependent upon their intended application and the
temperature range over which they need to operate.
MATERIALS USED IN MANUFACTURING A
THERMISTOR
• Metallic oxide thermistors – are generally used for temperature in the range
200-700K.
• Semiconductor thermistors – are used for much lower temperature.
• Germanium thermistors – used for temperature below 100K.
• Silicon thermistors – can be used at temperature up to 250K.
TYPES OF THERMISTOR
• Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC)
• Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC)
POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT (PTC)
• a.k.a. POSISTOR, a temperature sensitive semiconductor which is made of

doped polycrystalline ceramic on the basis of barium titanate.
• The resistance increases when temperature increases.
• PTC's are often used as resettable fuses - an increase in temperature
increases the resistance which means that as more current passes thru them,
they heat up and 'choke back' the current, quite handy for protecting circuits.
POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT (PTC)
• The PTC type used when a sudden change in resistance at a certain

temperature is required. They exhibit a sudden increase in resistance above a
defined temperature, called the switch, transition of “Curie” temperature. The
most common switching temperatures are in the range of 60°C to 120°C.
GROUPS OF PTC
• SILISTOR
• It uses silicon as the semiconductive material. They are used as PTC temperature sensors
for their linear characteristic. It has temperature coefﬁcients of resistance of about 0.7 to
0.8% °C.
• Switching Type PTC

• has a highly nonlinear resistance-temperature curve. When the switching type PTC
thermistor is heated, the resistance starts to decrease at first, until a certain critical
temperature is reached. As the temperature is further increased above that critical value,
the resistance increases dramatically. is widely used in PTC heaters, sensors etc.
• Polymer PTC thermistors, made of a special plastic, are also in this second group, often
used as resettable fuses.
RESISTANCE VS TEMPERATURE OF PTC
NEGATIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT (NTC)
• An NTC thermistor is a thermally sensitive resistor whose resistance exhibits a

large, precise and predictable decrease as the core temperature of the
resistor increases over the operating temperature range. (The resistance
decreases with increasing temperature.)
• NTC sensors are typically used in a range from -55ºC to 200ºC.
• It has a quick response, reliability, robustness and low price.
NTC RESISTANCE-TEMPERATURE APPROXIMATIONS
• First-order approximation
• One approximation, and the simplest to use, is the first-order approximation which states that
• Where k is the negative temperature coefficient, ΔT is the temperature difference, and ΔR is

the resistance change resulting from the change in temperature. This first-order approximation
is only valid for a very narrow temperature range, and can only be used for such
temperatures where k is nearly constant throughout the whole temperature range.
• Beta formula
• Another equation gives satisfying results, being accurate to ±1°C over the range of 0°C
to +100°C. It is dependent on a single material constant β which can be obtained by
measurements. The equation can be written as:
• Where R(T) is the resistance at the temperature T in Kelvin, R(T0) is a reference point at
temperature T0. The Beta formula requires a two-point calibration, and it is typically not
more accurate than ±5°C over the complete useful range of the NTC thermistor.
• Steinhart-Hart equation
• The best approximation known to date is the Steinhart-Hart formula, published in 1968:
• Where ln R is the natural logarithm of the resistance at temperature T in Kelvin, and A, B

and C are coefficients derived from experimental measurements. These coefficients are
usually published by thermistor vendors as part of the datasheet. The Steinhart-Hart
formula is typically accurate to around ±0.15°C over the range of -50°C to +150°C,
which is plenty for most applications. If superior accuracy is required, the temperature
range must be reduced and accuracy of better than ±0.01°C over the range of 0°C to
+100°C is achievable.
RESISTANCE VS TEMPERATURE OF NTC
ADVANTAGES OF THERMISTORS
• The size of the thermistors is very small and they are very low in cost.
However, since their size is small they have to be operated at lower current
levels.
• They are also much easier to waterproof since its just a resistor.
• They are difficult to break or damage - they are simpler and more reliable
• Can use in measuring low temperatures
DISADVANTAGES OF THERMISTORS
• Can not measure high temperatures and needs recalibration if temperature

exceeded maximum operating limits and also cause the thermistor to drift out
of its specified tolerance.

Thermistor

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THERMISTOR

• The term thermistor is a contraction of the words “thermal” and “resistor”.

• a.k.a. POSISTOR, a temperature sensitive semiconductor which is made of

• The PTC type used when a sudden change in resistance at a certain

• Switching Type PTC

• An NTC thermistor is a thermally sensitive resistor whose resistance exhibits a

• Where k is the negative temperature coefficient, ΔT is the temperature difference, and ΔR is

• Where ln R is the natural logarithm of the resistance at temperature T in Kelvin, and A, B

• Can not measure high temperatures and needs recalibration if temperature

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