Thermistor
Thermistor
A Thermistor (/θərˈmɪstər/) is a type of resistor whose resistance is dependent on temperature, more so than in standard resistors. The word is a portmanteau of thermal and resistor.
Etymology
The term "thermistor" is derived from the words "thermal" and "resistor". It was first used in the early 20th century as a combination of these two words to describe a resistor whose resistance changes with temperature.
Function
Thermistors are used as inrush current limiters, temperature sensors, self-resetting overcurrent protectors, and self-regulating heating elements. Thermistors differ from resistance temperature detectors (RTD) in that the material used in a thermistor is generally a ceramic or polymer, while RTDs use pure metals.
Types
There are two types of thermistors: Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistors and Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistors. NTC thermistors are thermistors whose resistance decreases as temperature increases, while PTC thermistors have a resistance that increases with increasing temperature.
Related Terms
- Resistor: An electrical component that limits or regulates the flow of electrical current in an electronic circuit.
- NTC thermistor: A type of thermistor that decreases its electrical resistance with increasing temperature.
- PTC thermistor: A type of thermistor that increases its electrical resistance with increasing temperature.
- Resistance temperature detectors (RTD): A type of temperature sensor that uses the predictable change in electrical resistance of some materials with changing temperature.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Thermistor
- Wikipedia's article - Thermistor
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