The Principle, Detection Methods, and Applications of Thermistors 1

A thermistor is a temperature-sensitive component whose resistance changes with temperature. Thermistors can generally be divided into two types: positive temperature coefficient thermistors (PTC) and negative temperature coefficient thermistors (NTC). The resistance of a PTC thermistor increases with rising temperature, while that of an NTC thermistor decreases as temperature rises. These characteristics enable thermistors to be widely used in temperature detection, temperature control, and overheating protection, among other applications.diode

The principle of thermistors

The working principle of a thermistor is based on the sensitivity of its material to temperature changes. When the temperature changes, the number or mobility of charge carriers within the thermistor material alters, resulting in a change in its resistance. For NTC thermistors, typically made from semiconductor materials (such as oxides), an increase in temperature leads to a higher number of charge carriers, causing the resistance to decrease. In contrast, PTC thermistors are often composed of polymers or ferroelectric materials, where a rise in temperature induces structural changes within them, thereby increasing the resistance.diode