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Thermistor

This document describes an experiment to determine the temperature coefficient of a thermistor. It provides the formula used to calculate the temperature coefficient and outlines the procedure which involves measuring the resistance of the thermistor at different temperatures using a Wheatstone bridge circuit. A graph of resistance vs. temperature is plotted to determine the temperature coefficient from the slope. The experiment also involves measuring the voltage-current characteristics by varying the current through the thermistor and recording the voltage, plotting a graph of voltage vs. current.

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abhishekjohn2021
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426 views

Thermistor

This document describes an experiment to determine the temperature coefficient of a thermistor. It provides the formula used to calculate the temperature coefficient and outlines the procedure which involves measuring the resistance of the thermistor at different temperatures using a Wheatstone bridge circuit. A graph of resistance vs. temperature is plotted to determine the temperature coefficient from the slope. The experiment also involves measuring the voltage-current characteristics by varying the current through the thermistor and recording the voltage, plotting a graph of voltage vs. current.

Uploaded by

abhishekjohn2021
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Temperature coefficient of thermistor

Aim :- To determine temperature coefficient of resistance of the given thermistor and


also to draw the V - I characteristic curve.

Apparatus :- Post office box, thermistor, galvanometer, battery, plug-key, rheostat,


thermometer, hot water bath, voltmeter, milli - ammeter and connecting terminals.

Formula :- The temperature coefficient of resistance of the given thermistor

S − S
α = 2 1
/ 0c
S 1 t 2 − S 2 t1

Where S1 and S2 are the resistances of the thermistor at temperatures t1oC and t2oC
respectively.

Description :- Thermistor is a heat sensitive resister usually made up of a semi-


conducting material, such that its resistance varies appreciably with change in
temperature. Thus the thermistor has a large temperature coefficient of resistance. They
may have negative or positive temperature coefficient. The high sensitivity to
temperature changes makes the thermistor extremely well-suited for the precise
temperature measurement, control and compensation. Hence, they are widely used for
such purposes, particularly in the lower temperature range of –100 oC to +350 oC.

Thermistors are made by sintering mixtures of metallic oxides such as Mananese,


Cobalt and Copper etc. Their resistance varies from 0.5 Ω to 100 MΩ. These are
chemically stable. These can be connected in series or parallel, depending up on the
purpose.
Page 2 of 4

The V- I curve is not a straight line. So it is a non-linear or non- ohmic resister. As


the current increases, first the voltage increases and then decreases.

Procedure :- a) Temperature characteristic curve :


The circuit is connected as shown in the figure-1 using Post office box. In P and Q
arms 100Ω and 10Ω resistances are taken(in general) and in S arm the thermistor is
connected. If the connections are correct, the galvanometer shows opposite deflections
for the resistance (R) values of zero and infinite respectively. Initially at room
temperature the bridge is balanced by adjusting R and the resistance ( S ) of the
thermistor is calculated using the formula

P R
=
Q S

Now the thermistor is kept in a water bath and the temperature is increased from
30oC to 90o C, in steps of 50 C. At every temperature the bridge is balanced by
adjusting the R-value and the S value is calculated. The experiment is repeated while
decreasing the temperature also.

Graph :- A graph is drawn by taking temperature on X- axis and resistance of the


thermistor on Y- axis ( figure-2 ). For two close and different values of t1 and t2, the
corresponding resistances S1 and S2 are taken. The values are substituted in the formula
given below and obtain the temperature coefficient of resistance of the thermistor.

S − S
α = 2 1
/ 0c which is negative
S 1 t 2 − S 2 t1

b) Voltage- current characteristic :- The circuit is connected as shown in the figure-3.


The current is varied in the circuit by adjusting the jockey position of the rheostat and
the potential across the thermistor is measured for each value of current. The current
Page 3 of 4

and potential difference values are noted in the table-2. The voltage first raises and
then falls with increase of current.

Graph :- A graph is drawn by taking current on X- axis and voltage on Y-axis, as shown
in the figure- 4 and studied how the voltage varies with increase of current.

Precautions:- 1. The resistances P and Q should be maintained at constant values.


2. Much current should not be sent through the thermistor.
3. First we have to observe whether the galvanometer shows opposite deflections or not
for the resistance (R) values of zero and infinite respectively.
Results :-

Table-1

P = 100 Ω Q = 10 Ω

S.No. Temperature 0c Resistance (R) Thermistor


Q
Ω Resistance ( S) = x R
P
Ω
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Table-2
S.No. Current (I) Voltage (V)
(mA) V
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

**** *

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