How do I identify one thermistor from another?
The best way is to use an ohmmeter at room temperature and in an ice bath (if possible) to chart the resistance values. ACI uses different wire colors to identify the thermistor. For example, 10K-AN uses white/white wires, and 10K-CP uses green/white. Please contact your Sales Engineer or Tech Support for help with identifying any sensor.
Which thermistor curve is best?
Typically, thermistor selection is not a matter of one being better than another, but of system compatibility. Most controllers have a standard or default thermistor curve to allow for fast setup without additional programming. Your ACI Sales Engineer can help identify which thermistor curve is needed.
Are there applications for which thermistors are not suitable?
Yes, thermistors may not work well in extremely high and low temperatures. ACI has other alternatives for your high and low-temperature applications. Contact us to learn more.
Can a thermistor be NIST-certified?
Yes, with very few exceptions, ACI can provide NIST certificates for thermistors. The only limitation is the physical size of the sensor. Some very long probes, like 48”, may not fit into the NIST chambers.
What are the most common configurations for thermistor sensors?
Duct, outside air, pipe immersion, room/space, and duct averaging are the most common thermistor configurations. Due to their small size, thermistors can be built into probes of nearly any length and a near-infinite number of configurations.
What distinguishes ACI thermistors from others?
All ACI probe-style configurations are double-encapsulated to prevent moisture infiltration. ACI also crimps the etched-Teflon lead wires to the raw thermistors. Crimping is a more secure connection than soldering and also protects the raw thermistor element from damage. In addition, ACI individually tests each sensor multiple times during the manufacturing process to eliminate product failures.
This concludes the Thermsitors 101 class. Thanks for reading and if you have additional questions, please contact us to learn more.
