How does the NTC temperature sensor work

In the world of electronics, temperature often determines the stability and longevity of equipment. You may not know why the mobile phone automatically brightens when playing games, and why the electric vehicle battery pays special attention to heat dissipation in summer. Behind this, there is a "small role" playing silently-the NTC temperature sensor.



What is an NTC temperature sensor
NTC is the abbreviation of "Negative Temperature Coefficient", which literally translates to "Negative Temperature Coefficient". Its characteristics are simple: temperature rise, resistance value; Temperature, resistance values rise. This is like a "temperature resistance ruler". By measuring the change of resistance value, we can know the temperature.

Core Principle of NTC Temperature Sensor
Its core is a thermistor, usually made of transition metal oxides such as manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper through high-temperature sintering.

When the temperature rises, the number of carriers in the material and the resistance become smaller;

At the temperature, the carrier, the resistance becomes larger.
Through this "resistance varies with temperature" characteristic, the electronic system can quickly and accurately obtain the temperature value and make corresponding control.

Why it matters;
High sensitivity: It can quickly respond to temperature changes.
Small size: Suitable for embedding various devices.
High precision: The temperature measurement error can be very small.
Strong reliability: It can work stably at high temperature and low temperature.

Figures in daily life
Heat Dissipation Control of Mobile Phone and Computer
Temperature Monitoring of Electric Vehicle Battery
Overheat Protection of Printers and Copiers
Temperature regulation of household appliances such as air conditioners and water heaters
A seemingly inconspicuous small component affects almost every aspect of our lives.