What Is Thermistor? How Does It Function And Its Application.

A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance varies significantly with temperature. The term "thermistor" is a combination of "thermal" and "resistor." There are two main types of thermistors:
Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) Thermistors: These have a resistance that decreases as the temperature increases. They are commonly used for temperature measurement and control.
Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Thermistors: These have a resistance that increases as the temperature increases. They are often used in applications like overcurrent protection.
How It Functions
NTC Thermistors: When the temperature increases, the number of charge carriers in the material increases, which decreases the resistance. This property makes them useful for precise temperature sensing and control.
PTC Thermistors: As the temperature increases, the resistance of the thermistor increases rapidly. This behavior is often utilized in safety devices and to limit current in circuits.
Applications
Temperature Sensing: Used in various devices to measure and monitor temperature, such as in digital thermometers, HVAC systems, and automotive temperature sensors.
Temperature Compensation: Used in electronic circuits to compensate for temperature variations that could affect performance, such as in clocks and oscillators.
Overcurrent Protection: PTC thermistors are used in fuses and circuit protectors to prevent damage from excessive current. When the current increases, the thermistor's resistance rises, limiting the current flow and protecting the circuit.
Consumer Electronics: Found in devices like battery chargers and power supplies to help regulate and manage temperature.
Overall, thermistors are versatile components that play crucial roles in various electronic and electrical systems.