GRUNDFos % fe > Learn > Research &insights > PTC thermistors RESEARCH AND INSIGHT PTC thermistors Thermistors are resistors that react to temperature changes. Two categories exist: thermally-sensitive silicon resistors and polycrystalline-ceramic materials.Commercial PTC thermistors fall into two major categories. The first category consists of thermally sensitive silicon resistors. These devices exhibit a fairly uniform positive temperature coefficient (about +0.77 %/"C) through most of their operational range. They can also exhibit a negative temperature co- efficient region at temperatures in excess of 150 °C. These devices are most often used for temperature compensation of silicon semi conducting devices in the range of -60 °C to +150 The other major category is polycrystalline ceramic materials. They are normally highly resistive but made semi-conductive by the addition of dopants. They are most often manufactured using compositions of barium, lead and strontium/titanites with additives such as yttrium, manganese, tantalum and silica. These devices have a resistance-temperature characteristic that exhibits a very small negative temperature co-efficient until the device reaches a critical temperature that is referred to as its ‘Curie’, meaning the switch or transition temperature. As this critical temperature is approached, the devices begin to exhibit a rising, positive temperature coefficient of resistance as well as a large increase in resistance. The resistance change can be as much as several orders of magnitude within a temperature span of a few degrees. The PTC thermistor has to be connected to a control circuit that can transform the resistance change toa control signal which is able to cut the mains current to the motor. Many Grundfos pumps have PTC thermistor motor protection built-in, where this is a requirement for the application. Related products Find products from Grundfos related to this subject. Accessories and spare parts Accessories C = )Access s, AMD, AMG, AFG, SRP, SMG, SFG, SRG Accessories C View Accessories, axial flow pumps Accessories designed for axial flow pumps C = Accessories, Drainage and Lifting Stations Accessories C View Accessories, MSS/M/MOG/MD/MLD/MDG/MD1/MDV AccessoriesAccesso! 8, SCALA Accessories for SCALAT and SCALA2 pumps. C Access , Sensors Accessories for sensor products View C Adapter connections DME/DMS Adaptor connections for DME & DMS ViewAdaptors (hose-hose or hose-pipe) -_ Adaptor connections to connect between hoses or hose and pipe C v= ) Related applications Find applications from Grundfos related to this subject.Commercial fire protection — Commercial heatingCommercial water pressure boosting Products & Services Sire rer Vranas) lee Tae ety LTO Le Coe Oe