Caterpillar Electronic’Systems: A‘Basic Course Unit 14. Electronic Components Part TwoContents Foreword The Thermistor Conclusion lustrations Thermistor Symbol Thermistor Resistance Change With Increasing Temperature Switch Schematic Testing A Diode Plus A Thermistor Demonstrations Thermistor © 1983 Caterpillar Inc. Produced By Caterpillar Service Training @ RV 5-6Unit 14 - Electronic Components, Part 2 Foreword This unit of the course is designed to The special equipment you will need to help you learn about one additional complete this unit of the course is as electronic component — the thermistor. follows. Complete this unit as follows: 1. A Caterpillar SEKV1700 Electrical Components Group. 2. Any Caterpillar Digital Multimeter. 3. 0.3 meter (1 foot) of solid 22 gage electrical wire. 4. A wire stripping tool. READ THIS UNIT. COMPLETE THE DEMONSTRATIONS OF THIS UNIT.The Thermistor A thermistor is a special resistor whose electrical resistance will change with change in the temperature of the thermistor. A symbol for the thermistor is shown in Figure 1 Thermistor Symbol Figure 1 Two types of thermistors exist. There is one type whose resistance will decrease as the temperature of the thermistor increases. There is a second type of thermistor whose resistance will suddenly increase when it reaches a specific hotter temperature. This second type is used in Caterpillar electronic control systems to protect other electronic components. For example, in unit 13 the possibility of related failures was given. It was noted that in the early Electronic Switching Systems the transmission switch diodes were not protected and that a short between a 24 Volt circuit and a 10 Volt input circuit can fail the diodes. A thermistor whose resistance suddenly increases as it becomes hot can be used (and is used in later Electronic Switching System transmission switches) to protect these diodes. Look at the diagram in Figure 2. To give the diodes the protection they need a thermistor is used that has a small resistance at normal operating temperatures, but suddenly changes to have a large resistance at a specific hotter than normal temperature. This specific temperature is called the “switch point” of the thermistor. When there is a thermistor like this in the transmission switches with the diodes (as shown in Figure 3) and if a short between a 24 Volt circuit and a 10 Volt input circuit exists, the thermistor will be heated in a very short amount of time by the larger than normal flow of electrical energy and increase in resistance — and in this way protect the diodes. (Remember resistance restricts the flow of electrical energy.) Lanse RESISTANCE | bs La ofie eel H TEMPERATURES: I a INCREASING RESISTANCE Qa SMALL RESISTANCE of TINGREASING TEMPERATURE Thermistor Resistance Change With Increasing Temperature Figure 2 65421 7 = t ‘Switch Schematic ‘igure 3It is important for you to know if the diodes of any component are protected in this way for two reasons — 1. It effects the possibility of a second and related failure in the system, and — 2. It effects the result you will get when you test a diode * ase cou Remember that the measurement made by the 6V3030 Digital Multimeter in the diode test position is a voltage drop caused by the resistance of the diode to a specific current flow (2 to 5 mA). When you test a diode and a thermistor together (which you must when testing the diodes of the transmission switches because the two can not be separated) the resistance of the thermistor adds to the resistance of the diode to cause a larger voltage drop for a good diode. A good diode and thermistor in the later transmission switches will cause a ADCV of approximately .800 to 1.200 Volt. See Figure 4. a GG « 1.200 .. ‘$000 OLODE > THERMISTOR. RESISTANCE 20 Testing A Diode Plus A Thermistor Figure 4 SHITCH POINT 248° (12000)_ To see the action of a thermistor, and the test results for a good diode and NOTICE thermistor together, complete the demonstrations that follow, Never connect a battery or any other outside Make ready the SEKV1700 Electrical Components Group as shown below. power source directly to any component on the face of the training aid. If this is done it can damage the system. ee ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS GROUP SEKV1700 —/ POSITION 115/230V SWITCH CORRECTLY WITH RESPECT TO OUTLET POWER O© ~ 115/230 ACV OUTLETDemonstration 1 {a) Measure the resistance of the thermistor on the Electrical Components Group in both the hot and cold condition as shown below, (b) Write the measurement you take for each condition of the thermistor in the spaces given below. g - conorrion | ResistaNce HoT - couDemonstration 2 (a) Use the 22 gage wire to connect diode D1 and the thermistor together as shown below. (b) Measure the voltage drop across diode D1 and the thermistor in both the hot and cold contition as. shown below. (c) Write the measurement you take for each condition in the spaces given below, (d) Compare your results here with the result you got for diode D1 in Demonstration 1 of Unit 6. Conclus n In testing any diode it is necessary to know if you are testing the diode alone, or with other components, before you can make a diagnosis according to the result Knowing if the diodes in the system you are working on are protected or not effects the possibility of a second and related failure in some systems — particularly the Electronic Switching System. This booklet.is one of fourteen. All fourteen booklets are available only as a set under FORM NO. SEBV0525. g (_o) conorrion | voLtA6e oROP wor ae coo CATERPILLAR” PRINTED IN U.S.A