Temperature Sensors - PTC Thermistors

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
B59076B1120B153Z5

B59076B1120B153Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59546A135A20V60

B59546A135A20V60

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59101S1155B70Z5

B59101S1155B70Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59069B1080B151

B59069B1080B151

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC 25 OHM 20% DISC

0

B59550A135A20Z12

B59550A135A20Z12

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59314U1180B70

B59314U1180B70

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59556A135A20V2

B59556A135A20V2

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59087U1120B40

B59087U1120B40

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59901D60A40Z5

B59901D60A40Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59042B1120B151

B59042B1120B151

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC 10 OHM 15% DISC

0

B59313U1140B70Z

B59313U1140B70Z

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59124U1120B70Z15

B59124U1120B70Z15

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59115J140A20Z5

B59115J140A20Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59546A135A20V2

B59546A135A20V2

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59052D1120A040Z

B59052D1120A040Z

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59303M1110B70Z15

B59303M1110B70Z15

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59450T1120A62Z

B59450T1120A62Z

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59130U1170B70Z15

B59130U1170B70Z15

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59151U1110B70Z15

B59151U1110B70Z15

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59118C1080A70Z

B59118C1080A70Z

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

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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