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Thermistors
Updated November
9, 2009
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Hey Mister, can I borrow a thermistor?
The word "thermistor" is a portmanteau
of the words "thermal" and "resistor".
Thermistors are resistors
(or perhaps semiconductors) that have predictable positive or
negative temperature coefficients. The temperature coefficients
are abbreviated NTC (negative) or PTC (positive). Thermistors are
typically made of some type of ceramic.
The resistance/temperature function
of thermistors are not as linear as an RTD,
but they are a whole lot cheaper. Note that when you choose a thermistor
or RTD, you need to take into account the self-heating of the device
due to current that you pass through it to obtain a voltage reading.
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