Thermistor

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.

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 °C and 300 °C (−148 °F and 572 °F).