Thermistor Temperature Sensor

A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance varies significantly with temperature. It is commonly used as a temperature sensor due to its high sensitivity and accuracy. Thermistors are made of ceramic materials that exhibit a large change in resistance when the temperature changes. They are typically classified into two types based on the temperature coefficient:

Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) Thermistors: For NTC thermistors, the resistance decreases as the temperature increases. These are the most common type and are widely used in applications such as temperature measurement, temperature control, and circuit protection.

Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Thermistors: For PTC thermistors, the resistance increases as the temperature increases. These are often used in current limiting devices and as resettable fuses.

Accuracy and Sensitivity: Thermistors provide high accuracy and are more sensitive to temperature changes than other types of temperature sensors, such as thermocouples.

Non-linear Response: The relationship between temperature and resistance in a thermistor is non-linear, requiring calibration or the use of a temperature conversion equation to interpret the readings.