 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (February 2022) |
A thermistor is a semiconductor type of resistor whose resistance is strongly dependent on temperature, more so than in standard resistors. The word thermistor is a portmanteau of thermal and resistor.
Thermistors are categorized based on their conduction models. Negative-temperature-coefficient (NTC) thermistors have less resistance at higher temperatures, while positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) thermistors have more resistance at higher temperatures.[1]
NTC thermistors are widely used as inrush-current limiters and temperature sensors, while PTC thermistors are used as self-resetting overcurrent protectors and self-regulating heating elements. An operational temperature range of a thermistor is dependent on the probe type and is typically between −100 and 300 °C (−148 and 572 °F).
 Negative-temperature-coefficient (NTC) thermistor, bead type, insulated wires | |
| Type | Passive |
|---|---|
| Working principle | Electric resistance |
| Electronic symbol | |
 Thermistor or varistor symbol[2] | |
- ^ "PTC thermistor vs. NTC thermistor for measuring the temperature of a liquid". Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ "Standards for Resistor Symbols". EePower. EETech Media. Retrieved September 13, 2021.