Thermistors

The history of thermistors is a journey marked by discoveries in

temperature-dependent resistance that paved the way for their extensive
applications today. Initially observed in the early 19th century, the phenomenon of
negative temperature coefficient (NTC) led to the development of thermistors,
particularly NTC thermistors, which are instrumental in various technological
advancements across industries.

NTC Thermistors for Temperature Sensing and Control:

Among the most prevalent uses of NTC thermistors is their role in temperature
sensing and control systems. These thermistors, typically composed of metal oxides
such as manganese, nickel, or cobalt, exhibit a decrease in resistance with
increasing temperature. This characteristic makes them invaluable in applications
like thermostats, thermometers, and temperature sensors, where precise and rapid
temperature monitoring is essential for maintaining optimal operating conditions.
From household appliances to automotive engines, NTC thermistors ensure efficient
performance and energy management by accurately responding to temperature
changes.

PTC Thermistors for Overcurrent Protection and Self-Regulating Heating:

Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors, though less common than their
NTC counterparts, serve critical functions in electronics and heating systems. Unlike
NTC thermistors, PTC thermistors experience an increase in resistance with rising
temperature. This unique behavior finds application in overcurrent protection circuits,
where PTC thermistors act as self-resetting fuses. When subjected to excessive
current, the resistance of the PTC thermistor rises sharply, limiting the current flow
and protecting the circuit from damage. Additionally, PTC thermistors are employed
in self-regulating heating elements, such as those found in automotive seat heaters
and household appliances like coffee makers. By adjusting their resistance in
response to temperature changes, PTC thermistors ensure safe and efficient heating
without the need for external control mechanisms.

RTDs for Precise Temperature Measurement in Scientific and Industrial Settings:

Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) offer unparalleled accuracy and stability in

temperature measurement, particularly in scientific and industrial environments
where precision is paramount. Unlike thermistors, which exhibit non-linear
resistance-temperature characteristics, RTDs provide a linear output over a wide
temperature range. Typically constructed from pure metals like platinum, nickel, or
copper, RTDs offer a standardized response curve, enabling precise calibration and
measurement. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and aerospace
rely on RTDs for tasks ranging from temperature monitoring in laboratory
experiments to controlling industrial processes. While RTDs may be costlier and less
sensitive than thermistors, their ability to provide consistent and accurate
temperature readings makes them indispensable in applications where reliability is
non-negotiable.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, thermistors, including Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) and

Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) variants, along with resistance temperature
detectors (RTDs), play diverse and critical roles in temperature management across
various industries. From ensuring the comfort of everyday appliances to
safeguarding sophisticated electronic circuits and facilitating precise scientific
measurements, thermistors have become indispensable tools in modern technology.

Sources:

1.​ Thermistors - Types, Working Principle & Its Applications-

https://www.electrical4u.com/thermistors-types-working-principle-its-applicatio
ns/
2.​ Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Thermistors. (2021, October 11).
https://www.ametherm.com/thermistor/ptc-thermistors
3.​ Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) Principle of Operation. (n.d.).
https://instrumentationtools.com/resistance-temperature-detector-rtd/
4.​ http://www.exsense.cn/1/show/409.html
5.​ https://www.sensorsci.com/thermistors ALL Date accessed ~ 17/04/24
Pracical Equipment:

• NTC thermistor with leads

• Digtal multmeter x2 (one for current, one for voltage) - Allows you to accurately
measure current and voltage.

•Deta Loggers - provides high precision temperature measurements 15V cells

•Kettes - allows you to be able to easily increase water temperature

•Ceramic mats

•Glass beakers

•Connecting leads

• Ice Allows you to easily and effectively be able to decrease water temperature
METHOD:

This is the method to investigate the relationship between temperature and

resistance. Initially, a circuit will be constructed, featuring a 6-volt battery, designed to
power the experiment. The circuit will incorporate an NTC Thermistor immersed in a
beaker filled with water whose temperature will be varied systematically. Alongside
the NTC Thermistor, an ammeter and a voltmeter will be integrated, both connected
to a data logger to ensure precise measurements.

In addition to the experimental setup, a temperature sensor within the data logger
will replace traditional thermometers, providing enhanced accuracy and ease of
reading. Placing the temperature sensor adjacent to the NTC Thermistor within the
beaker will ensure that temperature fluctuations are accurately captured,
acknowledging potential temperature discrepancies within the water.

Given the characteristics of the NTC Thermistor, it is anticipated that its resistance
will exhibit an inverse relationship with temperature. The experiment will commence
by introducing hot water into the beaker containing the NTC Thermistor and
temperature sensor. At predetermined intervals, temperature readings, as well as
current and voltage measurements, will be meticulously recorded. Notably, voltage
readings will be taken to accommodate potential deviations from the expected 6-volt
battery output.

The experimentation process will begin with an initial temperature recording of 85°C.
Subsequently, measurements will be taken as the temperature decreases in 5°C
increments until reaching 45°C, at which point a sufficient dataset will have been
acquired for analysis. This systematic approach aims to provide comprehensive
insights into the dynamic relationship between temperature and resistance.
Results

Temp/° Temp 1 Temp 2 Mean Voltage Current Current Resista

C Temp /V /mA /A nce/Ω

0.4 0.2 0.3 0.3 7.73 4.13 0.00413 1870

9.4 9.3 9.4 9.4 7.70 5.64 0.00564 1370

19.6 19.5 19.6 19.6 7.64 7.83 0.00783 976

29.0 29.0 29.0 29.0 7.64 10.15 0.01015 753

41.3 41.3 41.3 41.3 7.55 13.75 0.01375 549

49.2 49.1 49.3 49.2 7.49 15.60 0.01560 480

58.7 58.5 58.9 58.7 7.49 16.47 0.01647 455

69.5 69.1 69.9 69.5 7.38 18.45 0.01845 400

80.5 80.3 80.6 80.5 7.69 23.80 0.02380 323

89.7 89.6 89.7 89.7 7.69 28.80 0.02880 267

Temperature °C Resistance / Ohm lnResistance/Ohms

0.3 1870 7.534

9.4 1370 7.223

19.6 976 6.883

29 753 6.624

41.3 549 6.308

49.2 480 6.174

58.7 455 6.120

69.5 400 5.991

80.5 323 5.776

This is the graph for the temperature against the ln of resistance

This is the graph for temperature against resistance

temperature coefficient: -0.0205

Graph 1: Temperature vs. Natural Logarithm of Resistance

In this graph, we see a somewhat linear relationship between temperature and the
natural logarithm of resistance, which is what we expected. However, there's one
point that doesn't quite fit the pattern. This anomaly could be due to some random
variation or error in the measurement process. Possible movement of the equipment
or the temperature sensor malfunctioned briefly could be the reason

Graph 2: Temperature vs. Resistance

The second graph shows a curved relationship between temperature and resistance,
which makes sense for an NTC Thermistor. However, there's a weird bend in the
curve at one 50.250. This anomaly might be caused by a glitch in the equipment or
some environmental factor that temporarily affected the thermistor's performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion the experiment confirmed the expected inverse relationship between

temperature and resistance in the NTC Thermistor, consistent with theoretical
predictions. As temperature increased, the resistance of the thermistor decreased,
indicating its characteristic behavior as a negative temperature coefficient device.