Temperature Sensors - PTC Thermistors

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
B59060A0040A010

B59060A0040A010

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC 9 OHM 30% DISC

1367

TFPT0603L2200JM

TFPT0603L2200JM

Vishay / Dale

THERMISTOR PTC 220 OHM 5% 0603

0

TFPT1206L2201JM

TFPT1206L2201JM

Vishay / Dale

THERMISTOR PTC 2.2K OHM 5% 1206

0

SETP0805-100-SE

SETP0805-100-SE

Wickmann / Littelfuse

SENSOR PTC 12 OHM 0805

18389

TMP6431QDYARQ1

TMP6431QDYARQ1

Texas Instruments

AUTOMOTIVE GRADE, SILICON-BASED

0

PRF18BG471QB5RB

PRF18BG471QB5RB

TOKO / Murata

THERMISTOR PTC 470 OHM 50% 0603

580

TMP6331DECT

TMP6331DECT

Texas Instruments

TMP6331DECT

0

TFPT0603L4700JM

TFPT0603L4700JM

Vishay / Dale

THERMISTOR PTC 470 OHM 5% 0603

0

B59641A0115A062

B59641A0115A062

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC 470 OHM 50% 0603

7849

B59100M1170A070

B59100M1170A070

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC 100 OHM

417

P-TCO-N400/12-2

P-TCO-N400/12-2

J.W. Miller / Bourns

POLYMERIC TCO, 1206, 12V/4.0A

0

TFPT0603L6800JV

TFPT0603L6800JV

Vishay / Dale

THERMISTOR PTC 680 OHM 5% 0603

0

KTY81/250,112

KTY81/250,112

NXP Semiconductors

THERMISTOR PTC 2K OHM PBCYT2

0

TFPT0805L2700JM

TFPT0805L2700JM

Vishay / Dale

THERMISTOR PTC 270 OHM 5% 0805

0

PRF15BB103RB6RC

PRF15BB103RB6RC

TOKO / Murata

THERMISTOR PTC 10K OHM 50% 0402

0

202PS1J

202PS1J

Wickmann / Littelfuse

THERMISTOR PTC 2K OHM 5% DO35

784750

TFPTL15L5001FH5B

TFPTL15L5001FH5B

Vishay / Dale

THERMISTOR PTC 5K OHM 1% RADIAL

0

B59965C160A51

B59965C160A51

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC

0

B59076B1120B151

B59076B1120B151

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC 10 OHM 20% DISC

0

B59725T1120A062

B59725T1120A062

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC 25 OHM 20% 4SMD

45

Temperature Sensors - PTC Thermistors

1. Overview

Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistors are resistors with a positive temperature coefficient, meaning their resistance increases significantly with temperature rise. Unlike NTC thermistors, PTC devices exhibit a sharp resistance transition at a critical temperature (Curie point). They are widely used in overtemperature protection, self-regulating heating elements, and temperature sensing applications. Their inherent safety features and reliability make them critical components in modern electronics, automotive systems, and industrial equipment.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

TypeFunctional CharacteristicsApplication Examples
Ceramic PTC ThermistorsHigh Curie temperature, abrupt resistance change, durableOverheat protection in motors, heaters, and power supplies
Polymer PTC ThermistorsLower switching temperature, resettable fuse functionalityUSB port protection, battery management systems
Switching PTCDigital on/off behavior at threshold temperatureThermal cutoff for appliances, HVAC systems
Linear PTCProportional resistance-temperature responsePrecision temperature measurement in industrial controllers

3. Structure and Composition

PTC thermistors typically consist of polycrystalline ceramic semiconductor materials (e.g., BaTiO3 doped with rare earth elements) with embedded silver or platinum electrodes. The core structure includes: - Semiconductor ceramic body with tailored Curie temperature - Metal electrodes for electrical connection - Protective epoxy or glass coating - Lead wires (axial/radial) or SMD terminations The PTC effect arises from the material's phase transition at Curie temperature, causing resistance spikes due to crystal lattice changes.

4. Key Technical Specifications

ParameterDescriptionImportance
R25 (Resistance at 25 C)Baseline resistance valueDetermines circuit compatibility
Tswitch (Switching Temperature)Critical temperature for resistance jumpApplication-specific threshold setting
Rmin/Rmax RatioResistance range spanIndicates sensitivity and switching capability
Dissipation Factor (mW/ C)Power dissipation per temperature unitAffects thermal response speed
Response Time (ms)Time to reach 90% resistance changeCritical for real-time protection systems

5. Application Fields

Major application sectors include: - Consumer Electronics: Smartphones (battery protection), 3D printers (hotend monitoring) - Automotive: EV battery thermal management, seat heater control - Industrial: Motor overload protection, pipeline freeze detection - Renewable Energy: Solar charge controllers, wind turbine gear monitoring - Medical: Patient warming systems, diagnostic equipment thermal regulation

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

ManufacturerKey ProductsFeatures
Vishay BeyschlagK2500-FinderAutomotive-grade PTC with 50-150 C range
TE ConnectivityPS224-202UL-certified resettable fuse for power supplies
Murata ElectronicsPXU11S150R0Miniature SMD PTC for IoT devices
EPCOS (TDK)B59904C0150A070High-current PTC for industrial motor protection

7. Selection Guidelines

Key selection criteria: - Required switching temperature vs operating temperature range - Resistance tolerance and stability over lifespan - Package type (through-hole, SMD, bolt-on) - Voltage/current ratings with safety margin - Compliance with standards (UL, RoHS, AEC-Q200 for automotive) - Environmental resistance (humidity, vibration, chemical exposure)

8. Industry Trends

Emerging trends include: - Development of nano-ceramic materials for faster response times (<10ms) - Integration with MEMS technology for IoT sensor nodes - Higher temperature stability beyond 200 C for e-mobility applications - Miniaturization to 0402 SMD package sizes - AI-based predictive thermal management systems using PTC arrays - Increased adoption in hydrogen fuel cell thermal monitoring systems

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