negative temperature coefficient of resistance thermistor

electronics

Also known as: NTCR thermistor, negative TCR

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July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

A thermistor is an electrical component made from semiconducting materials, typically a mixture of manganese and nickel oxides. Its defining characteristic is that its electrical resistance changes significantly with temperature.

Thermistors with a negative temperature coefficient (NTCR) are particularly noteworthy because their resistance decreases as the temperature rises. This behavior occurs because increased thermal energy allows electrons to overcome energy barriers more easily, thus lowering resistivity.

These NTCR thermistors are valuable in electronics for several applications, including acting as temperature sensors and providing temperature compensation for other circuit components. They are also used in devices like cathode-ray tubes to counteract the temperature-dependent resistance of coils and in fuel-level sensors in vehicles.12

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conductive ceramics
Thermistors
Negative TCR, or NTCR, ceramics are materials whose electric resistance decreases as temperatures rise. These ceramics are usually spinels based on oxides of iron, cobalt, and manganese that exhibit small polaron conduction. Under normal temperatures there is an energy barrier to moving electrons from site…
Read More
Negative TCR, or NTCR, ceramics are materials whose electric resistance decreases as temperatures rise. These ceramics are usually spinels based on oxides of iron, cobalt, and manganese that exhibit small polaron conduction. Under normal temperatures there is an energy barrier to moving electrons from site…
Read More