NTC Thermistors
Application Notes
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
High sensitivity and low cost make NTC thermistors the most
common device used for temperature measurement.
Thermistor
circuit
R
R
R
Non-linearity of the R -T curve generally leads to the use of
a resistor network to linearize the signal. An example is
given in Figure 6.
2
3
A/D
converter
More precise measurements and temperature display can
also be achieved with simple electronic equipment as
shown in Figure 7.
μ processor
with R/T
algorithm
The choice of the model will particularly take into account
the small size (better response time) and the resistance
tolerance. Mounting conditions (dissipation), and input volt-
age (self-heating) will also be carefully defined to avoid serious
errors in temperature measurement.
RNTC
1
Display T°C
Figure 6
Figure 7
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
AND ALARM
NTC thermistors can be used as a simple on-off control tem-
perature system or temperature alarm system. Figure 8 gives
an example of such a circuit.
R
3
R
1
When the temperature increases to a defined value, the
resistance of the thermistor decreases and the current
becomes sufficiently high to energize the relay and provide
temperature alarm or heating system turn-off.
R
2
RNTC
The high sensitivity of thermistors (about 4% resistance
change for 1°C) allows the temperature to be controlled very
precisely.
Figure 8
TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION
As many electronic components (integrated circuits, ampli-
fiers,...) have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance,
NTC thermistors represent a cheap and interesting solution
to compensate for this effect and provide an improved
temperature stability for electronic equipment.
Resistance
R
C
It is necessary to include the thermistor in a resistor network
(Figure 10) calculated in such a manner that the network
coefficient compensates exactly for the positive temperature
coefficient of the other component (Figure 9).
R
Total
R
C
R
Common leaded discs or chip thermistors are well suited for
this application.
R
R
R
NTC
NTC
Temperature
Figure 9
Figure 10
6