What is an NTC Temperature Sensor？
NTC temperature sensors (Negative Temperature Coefficient) comprise NTC thermistors, probes (such as metal housings, plastic housings, epoxy encapsulation, glass encapsulation, etc.), electronic wires, and terminal connectors.
Structure of NTC Temperature Sensors:
1. Temperature-Sensing Element:
The core component of an NTC temperature sensor is the temperature-sensing element, made from semiconductor materials (such as nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, etc.) to form NTC chips. These materials exhibit a negative temperature coefficient characteristic, where the resistance decreases as the temperature increases.
NTC chips are available in two types: gold electrode and silver electrode. Gold electrode chips are coated with gold paste, while silver electrode chips are coated with silver paste. These coatings facilitate signal transmission and connection.
NTC chips can also be encapsulated using epoxy or glass to create various temperature-sensing components.
2. Form Factor Design:
NTC temperature sensors’ form factor and material can be customized according to different applications and requirements. Common shapes include bullet-type, straight-tube type, and ground-ring type. Materials such as 316L stainless steel, R8-5M nickel-plated brass ground ring, nickel, and brass are used, and the selection can be based on the specific application environment and operating conditions.
3. Leads:
Leads serve as the conductors connecting the sensor to the main control board, ensuring accurate transmission of temperature signals. Common lead materials include PVC, XLPE, and TEFLON, and they can be configured as double parallel wires, single wires, or jacketed wires. These materials have different temperature resistance properties and can be customized according to application requirements.
4.Terminals/Connectors:
Terminals/connectors connect control boards, PCBs, etc., ensuring a stable connection between the sensor and the control system. The material selection can be based on the connection method and application environment.
Working Principle
NTC Characteristics:The resistance of NTC thermistors decreases rapidly as the temperature increases. This characteristic makes them widely used in temperature monitoring applications.
NTC thermistors are semiconductor ceramic components made primarily from transition metal oxides (such as nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, etc.) and formed through high-temperature sintering. They exhibit a very large negative temperature coefficient, where the resistance changes with ambient temperature or self-heating due to current flow. Under a certain measurement power, the resistance decreases rapidly as the temperature rises. By measuring the resistance of the NTC thermistor, the corresponding temperature can be determined, thus enabling temperature detection and control.
Application Scenarios of NTC Temperature Sensors
Due to their high precision, reliability, and sensitivity, NTC temperature sensors are widely used in various fields such as new energy vehicles, high-end consumer electronics, automated office equipment, energy storage, and industrial control.
1.EV:
Typically use ground-ring series, which offer high reliability, stability, and precision. They are used to monitor various components of new energy vehicles, including automotive energy storage batteries, transformers, BMS, OBC, PUD, drive motors, automotive suspensions, charging piles, charging seats, and heated steering wheels/seats/rearview mirrors. They provide precise temperature monitoring, high-temperature warnings, and safety protection.
2. High-End Consumer Electronics:
Mainly used in coffee machines, vacuum cleaners, steam ovens, smart toilets, constant-temperature bathrooms, water dispensers, constant-temperature faucets, and heated towel racks. Consumer electronics NTC temperature sensors have a response time of up to 0.5 seconds, with fast temperature response and high waterproof performance, making them suitable for detecting water temperature.
3. Automated Office Equipment:
Commonly used in printers and copiers for temperature monitoring. By real-time monitoring of the print head or thermal paper temperature, they ensure the printer operates safely and efficiently, improving print quality, extending device life, and reducing energy consumption.
4. Energy Storage and Industrial Control:
In energy storage systems, battery packs are densely arranged and the environment is relatively enclosed, making it easy for heat to accumulate and cause temperature increases, which can affect battery life and performance. Therefore, NTC temperature sensor thermal management is crucial for the safe and reliable operation of energy storage and industrial control systems.
Exsense Sensor Technology Co., Ltd independently researches, develops, and manufactures NTC thermistor chips, thermistors, and temperature sensors. Due to their high precision, reliability, and sensitivity, they are widely used in office automation equipment, high-end consumer electronics, new energy vehicles, energy storage, and industrial control. Customization is available based on different applications and materials, and models can be consulted as needed.
