Types of Resistors – Non-linear Resistor , Thermistors, LDR and Varistors - RS FinoTechs

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Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Types of Resistors – Non-linear Resistor , Thermistors, LDR and Varistors




Types of Resistors – Non-linear Resistor

In the last chapter, we have seen a type of linear resistor including fixed and Variable resistor. In this content, we will discuss Types of resistors Non-linear Resistors.

Types of Resistors or Classification of Resistors

As below shown basic classification of resistors based on construction 


A.                                                                1.Linear Resistors


       I.  Fixed Resistors


B.                                                                 A. Carbon Composition Resistor
C.                                                                B.  Wire wound resistors
D.                                                                C.   Metal Film type resistor
E.                                                                  

F.                                                                 II. Variable Resistors

G.                                                                 
H.                                                                A.      Potentiometers
I.                                                                   B.      Trimmers
J.                                                                   C.      Rheostats
K.                                                                 
L.                                                                 2.Non-linear Resistors
M.                                                                                                        
N.                                                                  I.            Thermistors
O.                                                                                                                      
P.                                                                  II.            LDR-Light dependent resistors
Q.                                                                 
R.                                                                 III.           Varistors

S.                                                    Read here about 1.Linear Resistors

In this content, we will learn about Non-linear Resistors.

2.Non-linear Resistors

A nonlinear resistor is one whose resistance depends on the voltage or the current for that particular matter. Non-linear resistor indicates the properties of non-linearity. If you want to look at the current-voltage relationship of a transistor, you can see that generally, a transistor can act as a non-linear resistor.

1. Thermistors


Concept: 

Thermistors are generally called as ‘Thermal Resistor’ which are temperature sensitive semiconductors. These are variable resistor resistance varies with respect to temperature.

Thermistors are available in various shapes and size.

These are available in a range of 0.5 Ω to 0.75 MΩ.

Following are the types of Thermistors

Types based on the operating principle

1.              NTC
2.             PTC

1.            Negative Temperature Coefficient ( NTC )

Resistance of NTC type thermisters decrease with increase in Temperature.
Resistance is inversely proportional to temperature.

R  α  1/T

 1.              Positive Temperature Coefficient ( PTC )

Resistance of PTC type thermistors increase with the increase in Temperature.
Resistance is directly proportional to temperature.
R  α T



Distinguish between NTC and PTC

NTC
PTC
Negative Temperature Coefficient

Positive Temperature Coefficient

The resistance of NTC type thermisters decrease with increase in Temperature.

R  α  1/T

The resistance of PTC type thermistors increase with the increase in Temperature.

R  α T


NTC Thermisters are composed with a sintered mixture of a semiconductor material such as metal oxides as manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, and uranium.



PTC thermistors are manufactured from barium titanate, titanium oxide, and powdered barium carbonate

















Types Based on the Size and Shape of Thermistors

1.              Disc Type
2.             Bead Type
3.             Rod Type
4.            Probe Type
5.             Washer Type

Operating Principle of Thermistors :

Some of the semiconductors exhibits the properties that, there is a change in resistance as there is a change in temperature.

Construction and Working :

Thermisters are composed with a sintered mixture of a semiconductor material such as metal oxides as manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, and uranium.
Thermistors have leads to form the connectivity with the circuits.
Bead Type thermisters are smallest in size having the diameter of 0.015 mm to 1.25 mm.
Generally Bead type thermisters are sealed in the tips of solid glass rods that to form probe type thermisters.
Glass the probe has a diameter about 2.5 mm and having the length that may form 6 mm to 50 mm.
Disc type thermisters are made by using pressing material under the high pressure in to cylindrical disc shape with the diameters that range from 2.5 mm to 25 mm.
As per requirement washer types thermisters also available.

Relation between Resistance and Temperature for the Thermisters



Where ,

R           =  Resistance of the thermister at T deg.K
R0            =   Resistance of the thermistor at T0 deg.K
β           =  Constant that depends on the material of thermister typical value of  β is between 3500 to 4500 deg.K

Temperature operating range : -150 deg.C to + 300 deg.C

Advantages of Thermisters :

1.     Small Size
2.   High Sensitivity for Change in Temperature
3.   These are available in various shape.
4.   There is no necessity of Cold junction compensation
5.    Fast response
6.   Low cost

Disadvantages of Thermisters :

1.     There is a non-linear relationship between resistance and temperature.
2.   These are not suitable for wide temperature range.
3.   At higher temperature approximately 316 deg.C working is unstable.
4.   Limited process applications
5.    To avoid self-heating low excitation current.

Applications of Thermisters:

1.     These are widely used in the application range of -60 deg.C to +15 deg.C
2.   Can be used as sensing device (Sensor) in liquid level, Pressure and in Flow measurement systems.
3.   Measurement of Power in high frequency
4.   Used for temperature control , Temperature compensation and in Time delay Circuits .

 2. LDR - Light Dependent Resistor



What is Light Dependent Resistor or a Photo Resistor?

A Light Dependent Resistor or a photoresistor is a device that their resistivity is a function of the incident electromagnetic radiation. Hence, We can be called they are light sensitive devices. These are also called as photoconductors, photoconductive cells and simply photocells.
Generally, these are made up of semiconductor materials having high resistance. There are many different symbols are used to indicate an LDR, one of the most commonly used symbol is shown below in which  The arrow indicates light falling on it.

Types of Light Dependent Resistors
Intrinsic photo resistors ( Undoped semiconductor): Generally these are made from pure semiconductor materials such as silicon or germanium. In these Electrons get excited from valance band to conduction band whenever photons of enough energy falls on it and the number of charge carriers is increased.
Extrinsic photoresistors: Generally these are semiconductor materials doped with impurities which are also called as dopants. Theses dopants create new energy bands on above the valence band which filled with electrons. Hence that these reduce the band gap and less energy is required in exciting them.

Applications of LDR

1.      These are used as light sensors.
2.    These are used whenever there is a need to detect absences or presences of light like in a camera light meter.
3.    Also can be used in street lamps, burglar alarm circuits, alarm clock, light intensity meters, for counting the packages moving on a conveyor belt, etc.


3. Varistor



What is a varistor?

VDR - A varistor is a voltage-dependent resistor . The resistance of a varistor is always variable and that depends on the voltage applied. The word ‘Varistor’  is composed of parts of the words “variable resistor”. Resistance decreases when the voltage increases. In case of excessive voltage increases, then their resistance drops. This behavior makes them suitable to protect circuits during the voltage surges.

Applications Of Varistors

Radio communication equipment transient suppression
Surge protector power strips
Cable TV system surge protectors
Telephone and another communication line protection
Power supply protection
Microprocessor protection
Electronics equipment protection
Low voltage board level protection
Transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS)
Car electronics protection
Industrial high energy AC protection





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