Temperature Sensors - PTC Thermistors

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
B59536A135A20V60

B59536A135A20V60

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59128A130B10V60

B59128A130B10V60

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59109J130A20Z15

B59109J130A20Z15

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59008U1120B53

B59008U1120B53

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59313U1130B70

B59313U1130B70

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59098C1100B51Z1

B59098C1100B51Z1

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59300M1090A70Z5

B59300M1090A70Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59235U1120B51

B59235U1120B51

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59510T1120A62Z

B59510T1120A62Z

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59128A130B10

B59128A130B10

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59037A1120B110

B59037A1120B110

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC 10 OHM 15% COIN

0

B59132U1120B70Z5

B59132U1120B70Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59930C80A70

B59930C80A70

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC 1.6 OHM 25% RAD

0

B59094U1140B70Z15

B59094U1140B70Z15

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59314U1160B70Z5

B59314U1160B70Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59547A135A120Z15

B59547A135A120Z15

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC

0

B59522A135A120

B59522A135A120

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC

0

B59088U1055B40Z5

B59088U1055B40Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59151U1110B70

B59151U1110B70

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59141U1130B70Z15

B59141U1130B70Z15

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

RFQ BOM Call Skype Email
Top