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Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC)

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A material property where resistance increases with rising temperature.

expanded

Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) refers to materials or devices designed to exhibit an increase in resistance as temperature rises. This property is particularly useful for applications such as self-regulating heaters and circuit protection devices, where a PTC resistor can prevent overheating by increasing resistance with a rise in temperature.

examples

PTC thermistors serve as overcurrent protection devices with operational limits of approximately 0.1A to 5A.

Commonly used in consumer electronics to prevent damage by limiting excessive current.

PTC heating elements, with specific power densities ranging from 10 W/cm² to 20 W/cm².

Utilized in floor heating applications and vehicle seat heaters for their self-regulating capabilities, eliminating the need for complex controls.

related terms

Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC)
A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) is a property of certain materials where resistance decreases as temperature increases.
Thermistor
A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance varies significantly with temperature.
Temperature
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance, indicating its thermal energy.
Potentiometer
A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with a rotating or sliding contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider.
Thermal paste
A thermally conductive compound used to enhance the thermal interface between heat-generating components and heat sinks.