THERMISTOR

Thermistors, derived from the term thermally sensitive resistors, are a very accurate and cost
effective sensor for measuring temperature. Thermistors are usually two-terminal semiconductor
devices made from semi-conductor materials that have an electrical resistance that varies non-
linearly with temperature

Principle of Working of Thermistors

The thermistors are resistors whose resistance changes with the temperature. While for most of
the metals the resistance increases with temperature, the thermistors respond negatively to the
temperature and their resistance decreases with the increase in temperature. Since the resistance
of thermistors is dependent on the temperature, they can be connected in the electrical circuit to
measure the temperature of the body The resistance of thermistor is given by:
R = Ro e k
K = β(1/T – 1/To)
Where R is the resistance of the thermistor at any temperature T in oK (degree Kelvin)
Ro is the resistance of the thermistors at particular reference temperature Toin oK
e is the base of the Naperian logarithms
β is a constant whose value ranges from 3400 to 3900 depending on the material used for the
thermistors and its composition.
Construction and different Forms of thermistor

The thermistors are made up of ceramic like semiconducting materials. They are mostly
composed of oxides of manganese, nickel and cobalt having the resistivities of about 100 to
450,000 ohm-cm. Since the resistivity of the thermistors is very high the resistance of the circuit
in which they are connected for measurement of temperature can be measured easily. This
resistance is calibrated against, the input quantity, which is the temperature, and its value can be
obtained easily.
Their resistances range from 0.4 ohms to 75 mega-ohms and they may be fabricated in wide
variety of shapes and sizes.
Bead type: These are the smallest thermistors and are in the form of heads with a diameter of
0.15mm to 1.5mm. This is the most familiar type of thermistor usually glass coated.
Probe type: Beads may be sealed in the tips of soild glass rods to form probes which are easier to
mount than bead. Glass probe have a diameter of about 2.5mm. the probes are used for
measuring temperature of liquids

Disc type: Alternatively thermistor may be in the form of disks and washers made by pressing
thermistor material under high pressure into flat cylindrical shapes with diameter from 3
millimeters to 25 millimeters.They are mainly used for temperature control.

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Washer type Thermistor: Washer type is usually long cylindrical units. Leads are attached to the
ends of the rods. The advantage of this type is, it produce high resistance under moderate power.
Washers may be stacked and placed in series or parallel to increase power disciplining capability
Characteristics of thermistor:
Operation:
The thermistor acts as the temperature sensor and it is placed on the body whose temperature is
to be measured. It is also connected in the electric circuit. When the temperature of the body
changes, the resistance of the thermistor also changes, which is indicated by the circuit directly
as the temperature since resistance is calibrated against the temperature. The thermistor can also
be used for some control which is dependent on the temperature.

Initially, Thermistor is placed in the environment whose temperature is to be measured. Then,

Thermistor is connected in a series simple circuit consisting of battery and micro-ammeter as
shown below. Any change in temperature causes a change in resistance of Thermistor. Hence,
corresponding change in circuit current. By directly calibrating micro ammeter interms of
temperature, we can measure temperature.

Advantages of Thermistors
1. Accurate and Repeatable R/T Characteristic
2. The NTC thermistor's relatively large change in resistance vs. temperature, typically on
the order of -3%/°C to -6%/°C, provides an order of magnitude greater sensitivity or
signal response than other temperature sensors such as thermocouples and RTDs
3. NTC thermistors are manufactured in a variety of sizes and congurations.
4. Thermistor element is usually coated with a phenolic or epoxy material that provides
protection from environmental conditions.
5. The small dimensions of most bead, disc, and chip thermistors used for resistance
thermometry make for a very rapid response to temperature changes. This feature is
particularly useful for temperature monitoring and control systems requiring quick
feedback.Remote temperature Sensing Capability.
6. Thermistors are well suited for sensing temperature at remote locations via long, two-
wire cable because the resistance of the long wires is insignicant compared to the
relatively high resistance of the thermistor
 7. As a result of improvements in technology, NTC bead, disc, and chip thermistor
configurations are typically more rugged and better able to handle mechanical and
thermal shock and vibration than other temperature sensor
8. The size of the thermistors is very small and they are very low in cost.
9. The high resistivity of thermistors is a significant advantage, since it leads to very small
errors, which could be even hundreds time smaller compared to measurement errors of
RTDs.
10. Two-wire resistant measurement
Disadvantages of Thermistors

1. Since their size is small they have to be operated at lower current levels.
2. It shows Non-linear characteristics between temperature verses resistance.
3. Not suitable for high temperature measurement i.e use of thermistors is generally limited
to a temperature range of few hundred degrees Celsius.
4. Requires external power supply.
5. In general, thermistors are more fragile than RTDs and thermocouples and therefore
require delicate handling and mounting
6. It has Self heating effect

Applications of thermistors

1. NTC thermistors are used for temperature measurements (usually in a narrow span and
low temperature ranges).
2. The device can be used to limit the sudden over current that flows in supply circuits. The
device is known to have a very high value of resistance in the beginning. The resistance
gradually decreases by the heating up of the device. As the resistance decreases, the usual
operation of the circuit is restored and the high current flows through it without damaging
other parts of the circuit.
3. They are used to know the temperature of oil and coolant used inside automotive engines.
This information is sent back to the driver through indirect ways.
4. We can also use NTC thermistors to monitor the temperature of an incubator.
5. Thermistors are also commonly used in modern digital thermostats and to monitor the
temperature of battery packs while charging.
6. NTC thermistors are used in the Food Handling and Processing industry, especially for
food storage systems and food preparation. Maintaining the correct temperature is critical
to prevent food borne illness.
7. NTC thermistors are used throughout the Consumer Appliance industry for measuring
temperature. Toasters, coffee makers, refrigerators, freezers, hair dryers, etc. all rely on
thermistors for proper temperature control.
8. We can regularly use the Thermistors in the hot ends of 3D printers; they monitor the
heat produced and allow the printer’s control circuitry to keep a constant temperature for
melting the plastic filament.
9. NTC thermistors are used as resistance thermometers in low-temperature measurements
of the order of 10 K.
10. NTC thermistors can be used as inrush-current limiting devices in power supply circuits.