TCS Series NTC Thermistors

AMS item number: SW10836

Thermistor 10, 20, 50, 100 kΩ; -45 to +114 °C; Bead/Cylindrical Head; ±1%; 76 mm Lead Wires... more

Product information "TCS Series NTC Thermistors"

Thermistor 10, 20, 50, 100 kΩ; -45 to +114 °C; Bead/Cylindrical Head; ±1%; 76 mm Lead Wires

Precision temperature control starts with a precision temperature sensor. Wavelength Electronics’ TCS series of thermistors allows for precise temperature measurements across a wide range of temperatures from -45 °C up to +114 °C. This series of 1% thermistors is available with 10, 20, 50 and 100 kΩ at +25 °C.

Most of the TCS series thermistors feature a small bead head (3 x 2 mm) and are conformally coated, two-lead thermistors for applications where embedding the thermistor in materials or small laser packages is required. The coating is baked on phenolic for durability and long-term stability. These thermistors have solid nickel wires with Teflon® insulation to provide isolation when assembled in metal housings. Thermal resistance or dissipation constant is 2 to 3 mW/°C, and the thermal time constant is 6 to 14 s.

The TCS10K5 model features a cylindrical size of 0.5 x 3 mm, encapsulated in a polyimide tube with 38 AWG nickel bifilar leads - ideal for tight mounting spaces, assemblies where surface mounting or embedding the thermistor is required, and applications like controlling optical surfaces, thin surfaces or small laser packages. Thermal resistance or dissipation constant for TCS10K5 is 0.2 mW/°C, and the thermal time constant is 200 ms.

A complete resistance vs. temperature chart is included in the datasheet. The TCS series thermistors are sold in packs of 10 (5 for TCS10K5).

For a given thermistor, to accurately measure the voltage (which is related to the temperature), a bias current must be provided. Since the resistance of a thermistor varies as temperature changes, the bias current must be stable and consistent. In general, there are two commercially available bias current ranges, 10 or 100 µA.

Choose the bias current and thermistor combination such that the sensor voltage remains above 0.3 V for the temperature range under consideration. When the sensor voltage falls below 0.3 V, the sensitivity of the measurement is decreased. For more information, see Application Note “Calibration Coefficients and Thermistor Selection”.

For optimum performance, system operating temperature should fall in the middle of the thermistor operating range, and within a single bias current range.

Key Features:

1% Tolerance
Bead or Cylindrical Head
3” Nickel Bifilar or Solid Nickel Wire Leads
Isolated Leads Provide Isolation From Metal Housing
Small Size - Conformally Coated
Wide Resistance Range
Available in Five Different R-T Curves

Applications: Sensing Temperature When Embedded in Materials or Small Laser Packages; Controlling Optical Surfaces or Thin Surfaces