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Thermistor and RTDs Review
Thermistor and RTDs Review
→ Because PTC Thermistors possess positive Inrush Current → is the instantaneous high input
temperature coefficient resistance, they show a current drawn by a power supply or electrical
trace amount of negative temperature coefficient equipment at turn-on. This arises due to the high
until they reach a critical temperature point known initial currents required to charge the capacitors and
as a “curie” or transition state. inductors or transformers. The inrush current is also
known as switch–on surge, or the input surge
→ When this happens, the device will begin to exhibit current.
a positive temperature coefficient and a significant
increase in resistance.
NTC thermistors NTC Thermistor Beta
At ambient temperature the NTC device exhibits a
high resistance, when the power is turned-on, the
high resistance limits the amount of inrush current
flowing into the circuit.
Exceptions
→ Ambient temperature is greater than room A thermistor’s “b” value, or beta value, is an
temperature: indication of the shape of the curve representing the
relationship between resistance and temperature of
→ Ambient temperature is less than room an NTC thermistor.
temperature
William Thomson – He invented the “Kelvin Scale”
→ Reset time needs to be near-zero: Certain types of Aka Kelvin in the 1800’s and it is still used in today’s
equipment, such as welding gear or a plasma cutter, temperature sensing calculations in conjunction with
switch on and off frequently as part of their normal Fahrenheit and Celsius.
operation.
Short circuit: - most important
→A short circuit drops the internal resistance of a
system to near zero, quickly raising the current the
system draws from the power supply.
→As the NTC thermistor limits this current, it quickly
increases in temperature, thus lowering its
resistance. This allows more of the current to flow
through until it can damage the system. High current
NTC Thermistor Calculating the Temperature
from a short can also destroy the NTC thermistor.
Coefficient of a Thermistor
Applications
1. Air conditioning and refrigeration servicing
2. Food Processing
3.Stoves and grills
4.Textile production
5. Plastics processing
6. Petrochemical processing
7. Micro electronics
8. Air, gas and liquid temperature measurement
9. Exhaust gas temperature measurement