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.