What is a thermistor and its function in temperature measurement.
1 Answer
A thermistor is a type of temperature sensor that operates based on the principle of change in electrical resistance with temperature. The word "thermistor" is a combination of "thermal" and "resistor." It is designed to have a resistance that varies significantly with temperature variations. Thermistors are often made from ceramic materials that exhibit this property.
Thermistors are commonly used for temperature measurement and temperature compensation in various applications due to their advantages such as high sensitivity, small size, and low cost. They are widely used in industries, consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive applications.
The primary function of a thermistor in temperature measurement is to convert changes in temperature into changes in electrical resistance. There are two main types of thermistors based on their resistance-temperature characteristics:
Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) Thermistor: NTC thermistors have a resistance that decreases as the temperature increases. In other words, their resistance is inversely proportional to temperature. This property makes NTC thermistors suitable for temperature measurement in a wide range of applications, such as climate control systems, temperature monitoring in electronic devices, and industrial processes.
Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Thermistor: PTC thermistors have a resistance that increases as the temperature increases. They exhibit a sharp change in resistance over a narrow temperature range, making them useful for applications like over-temperature protection and self-regulation in devices like electric heaters and motor protection circuits.
To measure temperature using a thermistor, the basic principle involves passing a known current through the thermistor and measuring the voltage drop across it. Since the resistance of the thermistor changes with temperature, the voltage drop will also change accordingly. By calibrating the thermistor's resistance-temperature relationship, you can accurately determine the temperature based on the measured resistance or voltage.
In summary, a thermistor is a temperature-sensitive resistor that changes its electrical resistance with temperature variations. Its function in temperature measurement is to convert temperature changes into measurable changes in electrical resistance, allowing for accurate temperature monitoring and control in various applications.
Thermistors are commonly used for temperature measurement and temperature compensation in various applications due to their advantages such as high sensitivity, small size, and low cost. They are widely used in industries, consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive applications.
The primary function of a thermistor in temperature measurement is to convert changes in temperature into changes in electrical resistance. There are two main types of thermistors based on their resistance-temperature characteristics:
Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) Thermistor: NTC thermistors have a resistance that decreases as the temperature increases. In other words, their resistance is inversely proportional to temperature. This property makes NTC thermistors suitable for temperature measurement in a wide range of applications, such as climate control systems, temperature monitoring in electronic devices, and industrial processes.
Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Thermistor: PTC thermistors have a resistance that increases as the temperature increases. They exhibit a sharp change in resistance over a narrow temperature range, making them useful for applications like over-temperature protection and self-regulation in devices like electric heaters and motor protection circuits.
To measure temperature using a thermistor, the basic principle involves passing a known current through the thermistor and measuring the voltage drop across it. Since the resistance of the thermistor changes with temperature, the voltage drop will also change accordingly. By calibrating the thermistor's resistance-temperature relationship, you can accurately determine the temperature based on the measured resistance or voltage.
In summary, a thermistor is a temperature-sensitive resistor that changes its electrical resistance with temperature variations. Its function in temperature measurement is to convert temperature changes into measurable changes in electrical resistance, allowing for accurate temperature monitoring and control in various applications.