Every day we deal with different kinds of new elements or things, it happens when we handle a car or during some repairing at the home. When repairing appliances, you have to deal with a wide variety of parts and components. It is a usual thing that very often beginners or even no advanced specialists do not know what a thermal resistor is and what they are like. You might ask yourself-"do I know what is a thermal resistor and for which reason do you need to use a PTC heating element?" If you cannot answer, this article will be interesting and informative to you.
We should start with general knowledge, the thing is the thermal resistor is the semiconductor component, the resistance of which changes under the influence of temperature. With the help of these properties, they have found a wide range of applications, from thermometers to inrush current limiters.
There is a typology of thermal resistors, the type of resistance to temperature dependence is defined by temperature resistors with negative (NTC) and positive (PTC) temperature coefficient of resistance. For posistors with increasing temperature increases their temperature, in the case with NTC thermistors, increasing temperature lead to falling resistance. These thermistors are made of different materials, for example, the PTC made of solid solutions based on BaTiO3, which gives a positive TKS, but NTC made of a mixture of polycrystalline transition metal oxides, alloyed conductors, etc.
As this article is dedicated to the PTC heating element, now we are going to look into this issue in more detail. First thing, which we should mention that the operating mode depends on the selection of the positioner operating point on the current-voltage characteristic, for example, the linear section is used for temperature measurement. Whilst the downstream section is used in starting relays, time relays, microwave power measurements, fire alarms, etc.
After all sorts of information, in your head might appear a question "Where do they apply?" The answer is simple, the range of applications of the positioners is wide enough. Mostly, they are used in overheating or overload protection schemes for equipment and devices, less frequently for temperature measurement, and as auto stabilizing heating elements.
Just now let`s look through the list, where the PTC heating element is most commonly used in operations. First of all, one of the widespread variants is motor protection, they are installed in the frontal part of each motor winding ( for single-speed -3 phase, 2 speed - 6 phase, etc.), PTC- thermal resistor prevents the winding from burning out in case of jamming of the rotor or in case of failure of the forced cooling system. It may be difficult for you to understand, let`s deal with it more closely. The positioner is used as a sensor connected to the control device with executive relays, starters, and contactors. In the case of an emergency, its resistance increases and this signal is transmitted to the control device and the motor is switched off.
Secondly, the protection of the transformer windings against overheating and overload, the positioner is then installed in series with the primary winding.
Thirdly, the demagnetizing system of CRT TVs and monitors. By the way, this part often fails and with this case, it is necessary to face at repair, thus failure of a fuse is characteristic. Moreover, it is used as a heating element in glue guns.
In the household, you may use the PTC heating element for water heating. Some examples of using this kind of heater can be used for showers, foot baths, hand washes, boiler heaters, coffee makers or saunas. Moreover, they might be used to heat diesel fuel, gasoline or other liquids. One of the main advantages of PTC as a heating element - it can prevent the burning of oil, this is safer.
Things, that should be mentioned, this heater is suitable for high safety, long service life and what is more interesting, in some situations it is cheap and convenient. Commonly, this product is in a small size that is why it is so much in demand.
Finally, let`s sum up, the PTC heating element is very convenient in size and usage, you can exploit it in many situations and during unordinary conditions. Surely, this product is worth its money and should be available to everyone. Do not waste your time, just buy it!