Faulty Thermistor Symptoms
Thermistors serve a variety of purposes and you’ll find them in just about everything. Refrigerators, hair dryers, vehicles, and more all feature these temperature sensors. However, that’s not all they’re used for; they can also be used as current protection. What happens if a thermistor fails and displays an incorrect reading? Learn more about faulty thermistor symptoms with the team at The Gateway Cable Company!
Unleashing the Power of Thermistors with TGC Company
As a way of sensing temperature, thermistors are a very popular method that many industries like to use. From HVAC systems to the automotive sector, these powerful components are critical to ensuring your safety and convenience. Here at TGC, we’re proud of providing top-quality thermistors which will give you the accuracy and reliability you’re looking for. We’ve got many great offerings available for you, including surface-mounted thermistors, bolt-mounted thermistors, and the eternally popular HSTH thermistors.
Understanding Thermistors
Thermistors are also called thermal resistors. They’re resistors whose resistance changes significantly with temperature. This unique characteristic makes them perfect for precise temperature measurement, control, and compensation.
Surface-mounted thermistors are often used in PCB applications, while bolt-mounted thermistors are typically used for jobs that need secure mounting. HSTH (Hermetically Sealed Thermistor) sensors, meanwhile, are known for their resilience in harsh environments because of their special sealing.
Why Choose TGC Thermistors?
At TGC, we offer a wide range of thermistors for a wide variety of surface needs. Our surface-mounted thermistors are priced from $70.51, with volume discounts available if you’re buying in bulk. Likewise, our bolt-mounted thermistors start at $71.11. If you’re looking for resilience first and foremost, try our HSTH thermistors which start at $79.77! And included in the purchase price is the expertise that TGC offers, with the peace of mind of knowing the answer to “what happens if a thermistor fails?” and so much more.
Our thermistors are designed and manufactured with the Gateway Cable Company, ensuring high-quality performance. With TGC, you’re not just purchasing a product; you’re investing in your enterprise and adding value every step of the way.
Don’t Let a Faulty Thermistor Slow You Down
What happens if a thermistor fails? Faulty thermistors can lead to inaccurate readings, which can have a negative impact on your operations. If you think that a faulty thermistor is the culprit, the team at TGC is here for you to provide the replacement you’re looking for. Visit our website for more information.
To conclude, whether you’re dealing with your HVAC system, have an automotive enterprise, or some other type of industrial operation, you need to know the answer to “what happens if a thermistor fails?” For the answer to all those questions and more, the team at TGC has you covered. Our range of thermistors will keep your operations going strong. Our website has the thermistor solutions that are perfect for your needs.
How Do I Know if a Thermistor is Bad?
For the most part, you can easily tell when it’s time to replace a thermistor. When a thermistor is failing, it’ll display incorrect temperatures, or you’ll see temperature fluctuations that clearly aren’t right. As an example, you might see a reading of 210 degrees, only to see the temperature drop to 189 degrees and jump back up again. Even though other issues might be at play, this is a pretty decent answer to “what happens if a thermistor fails?”
Thermistors in car AC systems operate very similarly to the ones you’ll find in electronics, except on a larger scale. They measure temperatures and send resistance signals to the AC control module, giving the system the ability to automatically adjust the cabin temperature to what you set. If you have a faulty thermistor system in your car, your AC will blow cold air for a short time or the blower will stop functioning the way it should.
A bad thermistor can cause a number of problems, including:
- Inaccurate temperature readings
- Erratic or inconsistent temperature control
- Failure of the device that the thermistor is used in
Here are some of the symptoms of a bad thermistor:
- The device that the thermistor is used in is not working properly.
- The temperature reading is inaccurate.
- The temperature control is erratic or inconsistent.
- The thermistor is damaged.
How to Test a Thermistor
Thermistors are important to regulating electronic device temperature. Therefore, it’s important to ensure they’re working properly. It’s easy to figure out what happens if a thermistor fails. Check your thermistor by performing a test, but first, follow these troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure that the thermistor is connected properly.
- Check the power supply to the thermistor.
- Test the thermistor for continuity.
- Replace the thermistor if it is bad.
If you suspect thermistor failure, review our “how to test a thermistor” guide for more information!
Meanwhile, here’s a broad overview of the process:
- Gather materials, including a multimeter, heating device, and of course, thermistor.
- Read the current on your thermistor.
- Set the resistance reading to the rated value; if you can’t, then you will definitely need a new thermistor. If you can, move to step four.
- Heat the thermistor, and be sure to take note of any changes, which should be near-immediate. If they’re not, your thermistor is most likely in need of replacing.
No matter if you’re testing an A/C thermistor or you want to know how to check the thermistor on a dryer, this process is pretty simple.
How to Tell Before a Thermistor Goes Faulty
Want to prevent thermistor failure before it happens? You will often see the symptoms of a faulty thermistor present themselves before the thermistor goes completely bad. Usually, they are the same or similar issues as faulty thermistor symptoms. How do you prevent yourself from seeing what happens if a thermistor fails? Here’s what to look for:
- Temperature fluctuations
- Incorrect temperature readings
- Blower motor broken or cold air for only a short time (in car A/C systems with thermistors)
These are the warning signs of a failing thermistor, but you should confirm for sure by testing your thermistor. That’s the most surefire way of knowing if a thermistor is faulty.
What Causes Thermistor Failure?
Usually, a faulty thermistor happens from mechanical separation between the resistor element and lead material. This can happen as a result of improper handling, thermal mismatch, or heat damage. Over time, the thermistor circuit becomes less accurate and displays temperatures that aren’t right. In this case, it’s easiest to get a replacement.
How to Choose a Replacement For Your Faulty Thermistor
There are two major varieties of thermistors. The first is negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors. NTC thermistors decrease resistance when temperatures increase. The second is positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors. They increase their resistance when the temperature increases. If you need a replacement thermistor, here are the questions to ask:
- What’s the base resistance of the thermistor you’re replacing?
- What base resistance does your application need?
- How do resistance and temperature relate to this application? Should resistance decrease or increase as the temperature rises?
- What’s the ideal thermistor size and style for your application?
Shop for Replacement Electrical Parts at Gateway Cable Company!
If you have a business need for military-grade thermistors, cable assemblies, plugs, and more, Gateway Cable Company is your trusted source. We’re ISO 9001:2015 certified and DFARS compliant, which means you’ll get the highest level of reliability as a customer. Contact us today to learn more about faulty thermistor symptoms, how to test or check an A/C thermistor, or to request a quote on a new thermistor!