Many of the electronic devices we use daily contain some form of the temperature sensor. From devices designed to get hot and cold (freezer/microwave) to personal electronics (computers), temperature sensors are the unseen hero of the modern electronics world. In some cases, the devices make life more convenient, whereas when used in the medical and military industries, these devices are designed to save lives and complete successful missions. Considering the importance of temperature sensors in the modern world, picking the right sensor for your unique application is important. The two most commonly used options are thermistor and thermocouples. Although they are designed for similar ends, they are different, and as a result, they should not be used interchangeably.
In short, a thermistor is a thermally sensitive resistor that exhibits small, continuous, and incremental change in resistance that is directly correlated to variations in temperature. On the other hand, a thermocouple is designed to show proportional changes in temperature through voltage created between dissimilar metals electrically bonded together. As mentioned above, both are valid options for controls and temperature sensing, but the best options always depend on exact design specifications.
The key differences between the two devices can be broken down into three main categories, which include:
1) Thermistors are used as thermal resistors and thermocouples as temperature measuring devices.
2) Thermocouples often are used in large industries, whereas thermistors are most often used in home and consumer products
3) A thermistor’s accurate sensing range often is between -50°C to 250°C, and a thermocouple ranges between -200°C to 1250°C.
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