Thermistors are known to be the resistors that change their resistance significantly with changes in temperature. These are widely used for temperature measurement and control and are appreciated mostly for their accuracy and sensitivity. However, like each and every device, thermistors also have their advantages and disadvantages. This article discusses thermistor advantages and disadvantages and introduces JR Sensors, a major company in the temperature sensor industry.
What are Thermistors?
Thermistors are divided into two depending upon their characteristics of resistance-temperature:
- Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor: Resistance decreases while the temperature increases. Usually employed in temperature measurement and control.
- Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistor: Resistance increases as the temperature increases. It is usually used in circuit protection and for current limiting purposes.
Explore: Different types of thermistors
Advantages of Thermistors
High Sensitivity
They are very sensitive to even the slightest change in temperature, and therefore they are highly preferred in applications that require extremely accurate measurements.
Miniaturization
Since thermistors are tiny, they also suit applications with space constraints, such as wearables and compact electronic circuits.
Fast Response Time
They respond quickly to temperature changes; they are very effective for example for medical devices, HVAC systems, and others.
Low-Cost Economizer
Thermistors are quite low-cost compared to other temperature sensors but deliver optimal performance which makes them cost-efficient.
Broad Operating Range
They have a wide temperature operating range and hence can be effectively used in different industries, like automotive, health care, consumer electronics, etc.
Ruggedness
These thermistors can thrive in rough environments like high vibration and extreme temperature settings and will last a long time.
Disadvantages of Thermistors
Non-Linear Effects
The thermistor has a temperature resistance characteristic non-linearly related and, therefore, complicates the calibration process or requires added processing for movement to accurate results.
Limited Temperature Range
Though thermistors perform well at moderate temperature ranges, they are not very effective at the temperature extremes that can be handled by thermocouples.
Self-heating effects
Because heat is produced, by the flow of current through the thermistor, temperature-measuring errors occur if this is not corrected.
Brittleness
Thermistors are fragile and can break under mechanical stress or extreme environmental conditions.
More External Circuitry
So thermistors often need additional circuitry for linearization and signal conditioning. This makes their implementation more complicated.
Applications of Thermistors
They may be horrible, but they are still very popular in various applications. Some typical applications include:
- Automotive: Control of engine temperature and battery management systems.
- Consumer Electronics: Usually found in refrigerators, air conditioners, and thermostats.
- Medical Devices: Used in patient monitoring systems and diagnostic instruments.
- Industrial Automation: Temperature monitoring and control during processes.
About JR Sensors
JR Sensors is among the most known names in temperature sensing technology. The company is specifically involved in the design and manufacture of highly efficient NTC thermistors and thermosensors, RTDs in addition to several other advanced sensing systems. These thermistors developed by JR Sensors are precision-engineered, robust, and adaptable in application for the healthcare, automotive, and industrial automation sectors.
JR Sensors not only innovates but also offers customized solutions to address specific requirements. The thermistors are also designed to overcome certain limitations such as non-linearity and self-heating for the desired performance in different applications.
Conclusion
These temperature sensors are thermistors, which are very cost-effective in their work, most high-performing, and fast in operation. However, while selecting thermistors for a specific application, the non-linearity and temperature range limits of thermistors should be taken into consideration.
Such continuous upgradation has been a realm of activity with manufacturers like JR Sensors to break these thermistor barriers and also provide newer innovative features in performance. Be it the automotive, healthcare domain, or even the industrial sector, thermistors are indeed a very much trusted name for accurate temperature measurement.
