Application - Thinking Electronics Industrial Co., Ltd.

Ceramic PTC Thermistor:
Application
 Motor Starter
1. Brief of product
In starter circuit for single-phase a.c. motor, CPTC thermistor is in series connection with starting winding of motor.
When motor starts, initial resistance of CPTC thermistor is low and provides sufficient current for auxiliary winding to
start the motor normally. The devices quickly heats up its body temperature and increases its resistance as the current
flows through it. The increase of resistance lowers the current and cuts off the auxiliary winding from the circuit.
2. Main parameter

Zero-power resistance at 25℃ (R25) and tolerance

Maximum voltage (Vmax)

Operating time (to)

Consumption power (P)

Recovery time (tr)
3. Circuit for typical application
Fig. 6
0:CSIR TYPE
Capacitor motor
Fig. 8
Fig. 7
Fig. 9 2:CSR TYPE
Capacitor-start-drive
2:RSCR TYPE
Capacitor-drive
THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
1:RSIR TYPE
Resistance-spilt start motor
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2014.05
Ceramic PTC Thermistor:
Application
 Inrush Current Limiter
1. Brief of product
A switching power supply has large inrush current when it turns on. If CPTC thermistor is used instead of a resistor or
NTC thermistor, it works as an inrush current limiter. In addition, if relay fails, thermistor resistance rises and shuts off
current when overload occurs.
2. Main parameter
 Maximum voltage (Vmax)
 Maximum link voltage (VLmax)
 Zero-power resistance at 25℃ (R25)
 Curie temperature (Tc)
 Heat capacity (Cth)
3. Circuit for typical application
Relay.
CPTC
Thermistor
s
Bulk
Load
Cap.
Fig. 10 Inrush current limiter
THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
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2014.05
Ceramic PTC Thermistor:
Application
 Telecom Protection
1. Brief of product
PTC thermistors are widely used in telecom infrastructure equipment as an over-current protection element . Usually
they operate together with overvoltage protection elements to form a resettable overload protection against all kinds of
external disturbances like surge, power contact and power induction.
2. Main parameter
 Structure (Dip or twin SMD)
 Zero-power resistance at 25℃ (R25)
 Maximum withstanding voltage (Vw)
 Non-tripping current (IN)
3. Application example
Subscriber
Line
Interface
Circuit
(SLIC)
Fig.11 CPTC thermistors offers over-current protection
to typical telephone line equipment
THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
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2014.05
Ceramic PTC Thermistor:
Application
 Overload Protection
1. Brief of product
CPTC thermistor is able to replace conventional fuse installed in applications of electronic devices and transformer, etc.
CPTC thermistor resistance increase when overload or abnormal heating occurs and reduces the current to a harmless
residual value. Furthermore, CPTC thermistor is suitable for over-current and over-temperature protections.
Conventional fuse is not able to reset after it blows; On the contrary, CPTC thermistor resumes its protection function
immediately after a short cooling-down time.
2. Main parameter
 Structure (disc,dip)
 Non-tripping current (IN)
 Tripping current (IT)
 Maximum current (Imax)
 Maximum voltage (Vmax)
 Maximum operating temperature
3. Curve of characteristics
The relationship of current and ambient temperature is described in Fig. 12.
%
Tamb (℃)
Fig. 12 Temperature V.S Current Curve
THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
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2014.05
Ceramic PTC Thermistor:
Application
4. Application example
Fig.14 Spark suppression circuit
Fig.13 Circuit protection of transformer
Fig.15 Current stabilization
THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
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2014.05
Ceramic PTC Thermistor:
Application
 Temperature Sensor
1. Brief of product
Change of ambient temperature affects resistance of CPTC thermistor, its R-T characteristic can use for circuit control
and protect the component from damage caused by over-heat.
2. Main parameter

Temperature of sensor (TS)

Temperature of resistor at TS+5℃ (RTS+5℃)

Temperature of resistor at TS-5℃ (RTS-5℃)

Zero-power resistance at 25℃ (R25)

Maximum operating voltage (Vmax)
3. Principle of temperature sensor
CPTC thermistor is connected to bridge arm of comparator circuit (see Fig. 16). At normal temperature, RP resistance of
CPTC thermistor, is lower than Rs, and comparator's output voltage is low. The component heats up quickly and
reaches its switch temperature when abnormal temperature occurs. Therefore, resistance is higher than Rs and causes
increase of Vo to activates a trip (see Fig.17).
Fig.16 Typical comparator circuit
THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
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Fig.17 Typical switch characteristic
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2014.05
Ceramic PTC Thermistor:
Application
4. Circuit for typical application
Fig.18 Temperature protection of electric motors
Fig.19 Liquid-level indication
Fig.21 Alarm installation
Fig.20 Temperature compensation of transistor
THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
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2014.05
Ceramic PTC Thermistor:
Application
 Heating
1. Brief of product
CPTC thermistor is widely used for heating in that it is able to maintain at a constant temperature under the specified
condition. The device can be applied to heat supply source of air conditioner, preheat of diesel engine, door lock,
thermal protector.and etc.
2. Main parameter
 Zero-power resistance at 25℃ (R25)
 Rated voltage (VR)
 Maximum voltage (Vmax)
 Switch temperature (TC)
 Surface temperature (Tsf)
 Maximum inrush current (Imax)
 Component structure
3. Circuit for typical application
Fig. 22 Thermostatically
Thermal protector
Thermal protector
PTC
PTC
Power
Power
M
Supply
M
Supply
Before protection
After protection
Fig. 23 Thermal protection
THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
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2014.05
Ceramic PTC Thermistor:
Application
 Electrical Ballast
1. Brief of product
When rectified mains voltage is first applied, CPTC thermistor is in low resistance condition. Therefore, lamp voltage is
below necessary ignition value. When current flows through cathode, resistance of CPTC thermistor rises rapidly and
allows lamp voltage to reach its ignition value and light the lamp. Once the lamp is lighted, the cathode needs
high-frequency power supply (20~40 KHz) and two power FET switches to avoid flickers. After the lamp is lighted, CPTC
thermistor only works when the lamp is switched off. Then, delay startup is offered for next ignition.
2. Main parameter

Resistance at 25℃ (R25)

Switch temperature (TC)

Maximum current (Imax)

Maximum voltage (Vmax)

Dimension
3. Circuit for typical application
Fig. 24 Typical electronic ballast
THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
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2014.05