Calibration may be recommended for a new thermistor during assembly, to obtain the most accurate readings. For this, you may need multiple calibration points at recommended values. This calibration process may help to track the accuracy and stability of the sensor vs drift over time. Often, drifting takes place slowly throughout the sensor’s life. This phenomenon is more likely to be the case when thermistors are operating in harsh environments for extended periods of time.
For self-heating, if a thermistor begins to dissipate power (in the form of heat) while currents are flowing, this is considered self-heating, and is the process of a thermistor heating itself during normal operations. Engineers should factor in the self-heating effect because when left unchecked, it can inaccurately affect measurements and readings, as well as cause damage to the sensor.
Thermistors can deal with moderate levels of self-heating, but the amount changes from devices to devices. The acceptable limit of self-heating depends on several factors, which include:
Choosing the right thermistor for the application and properly calibrating it are the best ways to reduce self-heating and drifting effects.
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