NTC Thermistor Probes: Applications

Given the accuracy and stability of thermistor probes, they are used in numerous applications, of which there are at least three broad types:

probes to measure surface temperatures
probes to measure gas or air temperatures
probes to measure liquid temperatures

Thermistor probes are also versatile because they can be produced in a number of combinations:

element
housing
connector
ead configuration

Here are a few examples from each of the three broad applications in which thermistor probes can be very useful:

NTC Thermistor Probes to Measure Surface Temperatures
Manufacturers and suppliers offer these probes in as many possible combinations to cater to specific industrial and commercial needs.
Some suppliers' catalogs have anywhere between 10 and 15 types of thermistor probes for measuring surface temperatures. Under each type are related products with a variety of resistance temperatures.

There are thermistor probes for measuring surface temperatures in high humidity environments. These thermistors are shaped like a ring lug, are made of molded plastic and have a lead option of #22 AWG PVC, UL1015. Buyers can choose the tolerance, resistance, wiring and connector they need.

Another kind of thermistor probe in this category is the flat disk type of temperature sensor with multi-purpose uses. Some are made of stainless steel and have A, B lead options. Again, buyers can choose a tolerance and resistance, as well as specify a curve of M,V or Z, with Z being the most common curve.

NTC Thermistor Probes to Measure Gas/Air Temperatures
Under this category, you can use an open tip to measure gas or air temperatures. Some models are flanged and made of stainless steel and are available in A&B lead options. Again, as in NTC thermistor probes for surface measurement, buyers can specify the resistance, curve and tolerance required.
Thermistor probes made with dielectric strength are another option. They are usually made of polyimide tubes with A,B,C,D, & F options.

NTC Thermistor Probes to Measure Liquid Temperatures
One popular thermistor probe is the closed-end or bullet shaped type which has multiple purposes for measuring air, gas or liquid. This type comes in one option only - A - but you can order customized ones to accommodate tolerance, resistance and curve requirements. The more common closed-end thermistor probes are made of stainless steel.
Some suppliers sell what is called the thermal bridge NTC thermistor. Some of these products are already optimized for linearity with no need for hand calibrating. They do not require an external resistor either. These are available in several probe configurations and can operate in a wide voltage range of up to 48 VDC. It is almost error-free when the noise element is introduced.

NTC Thermistor Probes: Other Applications
We provided specific temperature applications above but NTC thermistor probes have other uses:

inrush current limiting devices and in power supply circuits. Their initial higher resistance keeps large currents from flowing during turn on

automotive and transportation, and military applications: controls for industrial, emission and temperature. They are also ideal for car and truck tire treatment and for regulating engine temperatures

plastic lamination/hot glue, fire safety

copy machines, industrial soldering irons

hot mold and chemical analysis equipment

medical, laboratory, and scientific instruments and testing

fiber and photographic processing, solar, meteorological, geological, and oceanographic research equipment, as well as consumer and household appliances.

more specific applications include: bathythermography, calorimetry, titration, spectrophotometry, osmometers, bolometry, and thermodilution

The majority of NTC thermistor probes can also be customized to accommodate other basic electrical applications. For example, current-time uses include time delay, surge suppression, and sequential switching. Among the voltage-current uses are vacuum manometers, anemometers, automatic gain, amplitude and level control, flow meter voltage regulation, liquid level control and fluid velocity, alarm volume, signal expansion and compression and thermal conductivity analysis as well switching devices and gas detection.

Ametherm's line of NTC thermistor probes is the perfect solution for projects covering through-hole applications, temperature detection and compensation, as well as circuit protection. They can be designed according to customer requirements. Ametherm's thermistor probes have a rugged design and have been tested for reliability to withstand a wider temperature range.