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An NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance decreases as its temperature increases. Made from semiconductor materials, NTC thermistors are highly sensitive to temperature changes, making them ideal for precise temperature measurement, control, and compensation in electronic circuits. They are commonly used in applications like thermostats, temperature sensors, and overcurrent protection systems.
We use them in a Wheatstone bridge configuration with an accurate analog to digital converter to obtain remote temperature readings.
NTC Thermistor Calculator
How the Formula Works
The resistance of an NTC thermistor at a given temperature is calculated using the formula:
R(T) = R0 × exp(β × (1/T – 1/T0))
Where:
- R(T): Resistance at the target temperature (in ohms).
- R0: Resistance at the reference temperature (commonly 25°C).
- T: Target temperature (in kelvins).
- T0: Reference temperature (commonly 298.15 K for 25°C).
- β: Beta constant, which defines the thermistor’s sensitivity to temperature changes.
- exp: Exponential function (base e).
This formula works by comparing the inverse of the absolute (kelvin) temperatures of the target and reference points. The beta constant amplifies this difference to adjust the resistance calculation. It accurately models the thermistor’s behavior, allowing precise temperature measurements.