This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Temperature Sensors – PTC Thermistors category on DigiKey.com
Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistor temperature sensors are devices that exhibit an increase in resistance in response to an increase in temperature. Thermistors produce an output signal that is relatively large and easy to measure compared to many other temperature sensor types, though their characteristics tend to be less stable and less suitable for precise temperature measurements. PTC thermistors in particular are often adapted for over-temperature detection applications, and often exhibit a distinctly nonlinear temperature-resistance relationship that makes them useful for detection of an imprecise “high” temperature condition, though poor for making accurate measurements.
SelectionCharacteristics
Specifications to determine which PTC thermistor is right for your application.
Resistance @ 25°C: Nominal device resistance at the indicated device temperature; subject to manufacturing variation within the listed resistance tolerance value for a device.
Resistance Tolerance: Characterizes the extent of permitted variability of overall device resistance among samples of a given part number, resulting from variations in manufacturing.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Power - Max: Typically this represents the maximum power rating to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this power rating may damage the device and other system components.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Package/Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the suppliers device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
Supplier Device Package: This is what the manufacturer calls the package of this device. They are manufacturer specific. It is typically best to use the actual dimensions from the datasheets rather than to go by this terminology when designing your circuit.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | TFPTL15L5001FL2B |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 541-1425-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Vishay Dale |
| DESCRIPTION | PTC Thermistor 5 kOhms Radial |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | TMP6131DECT |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 296-53050-2-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Texas Instruments |
| DESCRIPTION | PTC Thermistor 10 kOhms 0402 (1006 Metric) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | B59701A0070A062 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 495-2415-2-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | EPCOS - TDK Electronics |
| DESCRIPTION | PTC Thermistor 680 Ohms 0805 (2012 Metric) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | STS110003L360500G918 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 317-1588-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Cantherm |
| DESCRIPTION | PTC Thermistor Radial |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | FIT0844 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 1738-FIT0844-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | DFRobot |
| DESCRIPTION | PTC Thermistor Module |
SchematicSymbol
Schematic symbol courtesy of Scheme-it. Please see their website for more information and symbols.
MediaLinks
Videos
Basics of NTC and PTC Thermistors - Another Teaching Moment
Limiting Inrush Current with NTC and PTC Themistors
Articles
Silicon PTCs Alleviate Thermistor Design Issues
Temperature Sensors: The Basics
Articles on PTC Thermistors
Product Training Modules
Product Training Modules on PTC Thermistors
Blogs
Basics of NTC and PTC Thermistors
Blogs on PTC Thermistors
TechForum
Characteristics of Thermistors - NTC and PTC
Thermistors
Common Temperature Sensing Technologies