Thermistor-Controlled Fan

Measurements and Instrumentation

Done By
Farhan Ahmed P-107120040
Jude Chakuria N-107120058
Melvin A Mathew-107120070
L .Vijayakrishnan-10712013
Introduction:

A thermistor-controlled fan is an electronic circuit that uses a thermistor to control

the speed of a fan based on the temperature of its surroundings. This technology is
often used in computer hardware to regulate the temperature of computer
components such as the CPU, graphics card, and motherboard.

Operation:

The thermistor is a type of temperature sensor that changes its resistance in

response to changes in temperature. The thermistor is connected in series with a
resistor and a transistor. The transistor is used to control the fan's speed by
regulating the amount of current that flows through it. The circuit is powered by a
DC power supply, which is typically 12V.

When the temperature in the vicinity of the thermistor increases, the thermistor's
resistance decreases. This causes an increase in the voltage across the transistor,
which in turn allows more current to flow through the fan. This results in the fan
spinning faster, which increases the amount of airflow over the computer
components and reduces their temperature.

On the other hand, when the temperature decreases, the thermistor's resistance
increases. This causes a decrease in the voltage across the transistor, which reduces
the amount of current that flows through the fan. As a result, the fan spins slower,
which decreases the amount of airflow over the computer components and increases
their temperature.

Advantages:

The thermistor-controlled fan is a simple and reliable technology that provides

effective temperature regulation for computer hardware. It is a cost-effective solution
that requires minimal maintenance and has a long lifespan. Additionally, it is easy to
install and can be used with a wide range of computer components.

Another advantage of thermistor-controlled fans is that they are quiet and energy-
efficient. The fan speed is only increased, when necessary, which reduces noise
pollution and saves energy.

Limitations:

One limitation of thermistor-controlled fans is that they have a limited temperature

range. The fan speed can only be regulated within a certain temperature range, and
outside of this range, the fan will not be effective in regulating the temperature.
Another limitation is that the fan speed is not adjustable. The fan speed is
determined by the thermistor and cannot be changed manually. This means that the
fan speed may not be optimal for certain computer components or situations.

The Simulink model presented demonstrates how basic electrical, mechanical, and
thermal components can be integrated to design a thermistor-controlled fan system.
The model is configured such that a heat-generating device begins producing 2
watts at the beginning, and then after 40 seconds, the power output increases to 20
watts. As the thermistor experiences an increase in temperature, its resistance
decreases, thereby raising the voltage across the PWM reference pins. This change in
voltage results in an increase in the PWM frequency, which then causes an increase in
the average motor current, causing the fan to speed up. Consequently, the fan
enhances the convective cooling of the device, effectively reducing its temperature.

This model represents a system-level simulation that can be utilized in selecting an

appropriate thermistor property. To estimate the convective heat transfer coefficient
for nominal cooling when the fan is inactive, experimental determination is typically
required. With knowledge of the temperature difference and an estimation of the
device area, it is possible to calculate the heat transfer coefficient. The fan-cooling
coefficient can then be approximated by running the motor at maximum RPM and
measuring the temperature difference again. The nominal cooling term must also be
considered when computing the fan-cooling coefficient.

The Controlled PWM Voltage and H-Bridge blocks utilized in the model have two
operational modes, namely Averaged and PWM. Because the model's thermal time
constants are measured in seconds, the Averaged mode of operation is selected over
the PWM mode, which replicates the PWM control signal typically operating at
several kilohertz.
The plot above shows the electrical, mechanical, and thermal behaviour of the
thermistor-controlled motor. As the temperature of the thermistor changes, the
voltage applied to the motor changes, which alters the speed of the motor and the
convective heat transfer from the case. The system reaches steady state after a short
period of time.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, thermistor-controlled fans are an effective and reliable solution for

regulating the temperature of computer components. They are a cost-effective and
energy-efficient solution that provides quiet and reliable cooling. However, they do
have limitations in terms of temperature range and fan speed adjustability. As with
any electronic component, it is important to ensure that the thermistor-controlled
fan is installed and maintained correctly to ensure optimal performance.