Question

What is a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR)?

Answer 1

The temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) is a measure of how much the electrical resistance of a material changes with changes in temperature. When the temperature of a material increases, its resistance typically increases as well, and the TCR quantifies this relationship.

Mathematically, the TCR is defined as:

TCR = (R₂ - R₁) / (R₁ * (T₂ - T₁))

Where:

TCR is the temperature coefficient of resistance (expressed in units of resistance per degree Celsius, usually ohms per degree Celsius - Ω/°C).
R₁ is the resistance of the material at temperature T₁ (measured in ohms - Ω).
R₂ is the resistance of the material at temperature T₂ (measured in ohms - Ω).
T₁ and T₂ are the initial and final temperatures, respectively (measured in degrees Celsius - °C).

A positive TCR indicates that the resistance of the material increases with temperature, while a negative TCR indicates that the resistance decreases with temperature.

Knowing the TCR of a material is crucial in various applications, especially in electronics and electrical engineering, where precise resistance values are required over a specific temperature range. Different materials exhibit different TCR values, and this property is considered when selecting materials for specific components to ensure stable and predictable performance under varying temperatures.