Measurement Testing

Mjr · Site Admin Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 294

Here are industries and applications where thermistors (thermally sensitive resistors) are used:

Automotive (typically NTC thermistor-based temperature sensors):

* Under Hood: Engine Temperature
* Under Hood: Transmission Temperature
* Aftermarket: Fan Control
* Intake Sensors
* Mobile Refrigeration Systems
* LCD Temperature Compensation

Communications (NTC surface mount thermistors are ideal for monitoring the temperature at the board level. PTC surface mount thermistors are a better choice for applications requiring in-circuit temperature compensation for the silicon-based semiconductors found in most telecommunications equipment.):

* Temperature Compensation of Crystal Oscillators (TCXO,OCXO)
* Amplifier Gain Stabilization
* Cellular (including phone and base stations)
* Battery Pack Over-Temperature Protection

Consumer (Temperature monitoring becomes important when charging and recharging batteries in certain electronic devices. An NTC thermistor is a good solution for accurate temperature measurement in confined spaces.):

* MP3 Players
* Cellular Telephones
* Personal Digital Assistants
* Laptop Computers
* Coffee Makers

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) (Airflow temperature may be determined by using NTC thermistors in a self-heating mode.):

* Central Air Systems
* Thermostats
* Control / Automation Systems
* Remote Temperature Sensing Indoors / Outdoors

Industrial (Temperature is one of the most-important environmental conditions measured and monitored in industrial applications. Air temperature, liquid temperature and other process-material temperature monitoring is critical to industrial processes as tight temperature control helps industry’s manufacturing efficiencies.):

* Fire/Heat Detectors
* Industrial Hot Beverage Machines
* Pool/Spa Control Systems
* White Goods / Appliances
* Water Temperature Control Systems

Medical (NTC thermistors are ideal solutions for monitoring temperature at 37°C (normal human body temperature). NTC thermistors can provide superb accuracy and sensitivity in the body temperature range. Additionally, NTC thermistors, due to their low cost at high volumes, are the perfect temperature sensor choice for disposable medical applications.):

* Blood temperature monitoring
* Respiratory air temperature monitoring
* Humidified oxygen heater temperature monitoring and control
* NICU patient temperature
* Digital Thermometers
* Organ transplant system temperature monitor and control

Military/Aerospace (high-reliability thermistors are built to meet or exceed the MIL-R-23648 military specification. Group A, B, and C requirements of MIL-PRF-23648 need to be tested to ensure product quality under hostile environments.):

* Low Temp Storage
* High Temp Storage
* Terminal Strength
* Thermal Shock
* Resistance to Soldering Heat
* Moisture Resistance
* Vibration, high frequency
* Shock, specified pulse
* Life Testing

Information gleaned from Quality Thermistor, Inc. Visit their web site for more information and product ordering.