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Positive Temperature Coefficient

What is a Positive Temperature Coefficient?

A Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) is a property of materials where electrical resistance increases as temperature rises. PTC thermistors and devices are commonly used as resettable fuses, overcurrent protection, and temperature sensors in electronic circuits. When current flow causes heating, the increased resistance automatically limits further current flow, making PTC components self-regulating and useful for circuit protection applications.

Related Terms

Negative Temperature Coefficient

NTC

A Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) is a property of materials where electrical resistance decreases as temperature increases. NTC thermistors are the most common components utilizing this characteristic, typically made from ceramic semiconductors or metal oxides. They are widely used for temperature sensing, inrush current limiting, and temperature compensation in electronic circuits due to their predictable and repeatable resistance-temperature relationship.