Sensistor Explained

Sensistor is a resistor whose resistance changes with temperature.

The resistance increases exponentially with temperature,[1] that is the temperature coefficient is positive (e.g. 0.7% per degree Celsius).[2]

Sensistors are used in electronic circuits for compensation of temperature influence or as sensors of temperature for other circuits.[3]

Sensistors are made by using very heavily doped semiconductors so that their operation is similar to PTC-type thermistors. However, very heavily doped semiconductor behaves more like a metal[4] and the resistance change is more gradual than it is the case for other PTC thermistors.

See also

Notes and References

  1. U.A.Bakshi, A.P.Godse, Semiconductor Devices & Circuits, Technical Publications Pune, India, 2008,, page 295
  2. Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers, Volume 48, Issues 10-12, page 1889
  3. http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/slus281/slus281.pdf UC3704, Bridge Transducer Switch, Texas Instruments (accessed on 2010-01-14)
  4. Dharma Raj Cheruku, Battula Tirumala Krishna, Electronic Devices and Circuits, 2nd edition, 2008, Delhi, India,