NTC Thermistors
The NTC Thermistors
NTC Thermistors is a negative temperature coefficient resistor that significantly reduces its resistance value as the heat/
ambient temperature rises. Thermistors is sintered in high-temperature (1200 °C to 1500 °C), and manufactured in
various shapes. It’s comprised of 2 to 4 kinds of metal oxides: iron, nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper.
Features
Recommended Applications
●
●
●
●
Temperature Coefficient of Resistance is negative,
and it’s extremely large (–2.8 to –5.1 [%/°C]).
Various shapes, especially compact size
components are available.
For temperature measurement or temperature
detection : Thermometer, temperature controller
For temperature compensation : Transistor, transistor
circuit, quarts oscillation circuit, and measuring
instruments
●
Selection of resistance vale is comparatively free, it’s
available from several tens Ω to several hundred kΩ.
Physical Characteristics of NTC Thermistors
Thermistor is a resistor sensitive to temperature that is
utilizing the characteristic of metal oxide semiconductor
having large temperature coefficient.
Fig. 1
1000
And its temperature dependency of resistance value is
indicated by the following equation :
100
10
1
T
1
.....................................
(1)
0
R=R exp
B
[ ( )]
0
T
T0 : Standard Temperature 298.15 K(25 °C)
R0 : Resistance at T0 [K]
1
B : Thermistor Constant [K]
Temperature coefficient (a) in general meaning is indicated
as follows :
0.1
B
....................................................................
0.01
0.001
a=
(2)
T2
Since the change by temperature is considerably large, a is
not appropriate as a constant. Therefore, B value (constant)
is generally used as a coefficient of thermistors.
–40 –20
0
20 40 60 80 100 120 140
T (˚C)
Major Characteristics of NTC Thermistors
The relation between resistance and temperature of a
thermistor is linear as shown in Fig. 2. The resistance
value is shown in vertical direction in a logarithmic scale
and reciprocal of absolute temperature (adding 273.15 to
centigrade) is shown in horizontal direction.
The B value (constant) determines the gradient of these
straight lines. The B value (constant) is calculated by using
following equation.
Fig. 2
10000000
1000000
100000
10000
1000
100
1
2
nR – nR
k
k
.......................................................
B =
(3)
1
1
1
T
2
T
R1: Resistance at T1 K
R2: Resistance at T2 K
When you calculate this equation, you’ll find that B value
is not exactly constant. The resistance is expressed by
the following equation :
10
R = AT–C exp D/T
(4)
.............................................................
1
2.4
2.9
3.4
3.9
4.4
In (4), C is a small positive or negative constant and quite
negligible except for use in precision temperature-measuring
device, therefore, the B value can be considered as constant
number.
In Fig. 1, the relation between the resistance ratio
RT/R25 (R25 : Resistance at 25 °C, RT : Resistance at T °C)
and B Value is shown with T °C, in the horizontal direction.
1
T
(×10 –3K–1
)
125
85
50
25
T (˚C)
0
–20
–40
Design and specifications are each subject to change without notice. Ask factory for the current technical specifications before purchase and/or use.
Should a safety concern arise regarding this product, please be sure to contact us immediately.
02 May. 2015