Temperature Sensors - PTC Thermistors

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
B59313U1160B70Z

B59313U1160B70Z

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59150U1140B40Z15

B59150U1140B40Z15

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59140U1155B70Z5

B59140U1155B70Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59121B1120A70Z

B59121B1120A70Z

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59758B110A71Z5

B59758B110A71Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59068U1120B55Z5

B59068U1120B55Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59074R120B10

B59074R120B10

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59133U1110B70

B59133U1110B70

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59078U1150B70Z5

B59078U1150B70Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59546A135A20V62

B59546A135A20V62

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59901D120A40Z15

B59901D120A40Z15

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59151U1110B70Z5

B59151U1110B70Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59380S1120B54Z5

B59380S1120B54Z5

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59010B1120A70

B59010B1120A70

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC DISC

0

B59001U1080B70

B59001U1080B70

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59313U1150B70Z

B59313U1150B70Z

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59082S1080B40

B59082S1080B40

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC

0

B59536A0135A020

B59536A0135A020

TDK EPCOS

THERMISTOR PTC DISC

0

B59312U1130B70Z15

B59312U1130B70Z15

TDK EPCOS

PTC THERMISTOR

0

B59225J140A20Z5

B59225J140A20Z5

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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