Electronics - Voltage and Current - Discussion

A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance varies significantly with temperature, more so than in standard resistors. The word is a portmanteau of thermal and resistor. Thermistors are widely used as inrush current limiters, temperature sensors, self-resetting overcurrent protectors, and self-regulating heating elements.

Rheostat-Current controling device with resistance coil
Potentiometer-Votage varing and measuring circuit
Photoconductive cell- Produces current when light incident on it

All the above have less temperature coefficents.

Thermistors differ from resistance temperature detectors (RTD) in that the material used in a thermistor is generally a ceramic or polymer, while RTDs use pure metals. The temperature response is also different; RTDs are useful over larger temperature ranges, while thermistors typically achieve a higher precision within a limited temperature range, typically −90 °C to 130 °C.

Thermister is PTC or not?

Thermistor is a resistive component so that is used to temperature.

Thermistor is available in both the category. It is depending on it application. Whether its NTC PTC.

Temperature+Resistor = Thermistor.

Here sensitive means the degree or certainity of o/p for a change in input, temperature change is high so, thermistor is the right answer.

Thermistor has two types,

1) PTC - Positive temperature co-efficient.

2) NTC - Negative temperature co-efficient.