# Thermistor

Negative temperature coefficient thermistor using B-parameter equation

• Library:
• Simscape / Electrical / Sensors & Transducers

## Description

The Thermistor block represents an NTC thermistor using the B-parameter equation. The resistance at temperature T is

`$R={R}_{0}{e}^{B\left(1/T-1/{T}_{0}\right)}$`

where:

• R0 is the nominal resistance at the reference temperature T0.

• B is the characteristic temperature constant.

The following equation describes the thermal behavior of the block:

`$Q={K}_{d}{t}_{c}\frac{dT}{dt}$`

where:

• Q is the net heat flow into port A.

• Kd is the Dissipation factor parameter value.

• tc is the Thermal time constant parameter value.

• dT/dt is the rate of change of the temperature.

To model the thermistor in free space:

1. Connect the thermistor to the B port of a Simscape™ Convective Heat Transfer block.

2. Connect the A port of the Convective Heat Transfer block to a Simscape Ideal Temperature Source block whose temperature is set to the ambient temperature.

3. Set the Area parameter of the Convective Heat Transfer block to an approximate area Anom.

4. Set the Heat transfer coefficient parameter of the Convective Heat Transfer block to Kd/Anom.

### Variables

To set the priority and initial target values for the block variables prior to simulation, use the Initial Targets section in the block dialog box or Property Inspector. For more information, see Set Priority and Initial Target for Block Variables.

Nominal values provide a way to specify the expected magnitude of a variable in a model. Using system scaling based on nominal values increases the simulation robustness. Nominal values can come from different sources, one of which is the Nominal Values section in the block dialog box or Property Inspector. For more information, see System Scaling by Nominal Values.

## Ports

### Conserving

expand all

Thermal port.

Electrical conserving port associated with the thermistor positive port.

Electrical conserving port associated with the thermistor negative port.

## Parameters

expand all

### Electrical

Nominal resistance of the thermistor at the reference temperature. Many datasheets quote the nominal resistance at 25°C and list it as R25.

Coefficient B in the equation that describes resistance as a function of temperature.

Temperature at which the nominal resistance was measured.

### Thermal

Time it takes the sensor temperature to reach 63% of the final temperature change when a step change in ambient temperature occurs.

Thermal power required to raise the thermistor temperature by one K.

## Version History

Introduced in R2008a