How do thermistors work inside a controlled system? A thermistor's primary function is to measure the temperature of devices. Within a temperature-controlled system, a thermistor is a relatively small but essential piece of a more extensive system. Temperature controllers are needed to monitor the temperature of sensors.
A temperature sensor's primary purpose is to send temperature feedback to temperature controllers. Sensors have a small amount of current running through it, which is called bias current. The temperature controller sends the bias current. Controllers cannot read resistance, so you must convert changes to voltage. This conversion is done using a current source to apply a bias current across the entire thermistor, which produces a control voltage.
Temperature controllers are known as the brains of the operation. It does three interictal functions:
The thermistor's location within a system affects the accuracy and stability of the controlled system. To ensure that there is strong stability, a thermistor needs to be placed close to the resistive or thermoelectric heater. To ensure accuracy, put a thermistor near the device requiring temperature control. It is best to embed within the device, but thermistors can also be attached with thermally conductive glue or paste.
The rest of the system must be configured once the placement of the sensor is determined. You must consider the determining base of thermistor resistance, as well as the current bias of the sensor.
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