A Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor is a device which is able to suppress switch ON current surge due to its initial higher resistance at room temperature.
However, as the NTC suppresses the initial surge current, it warms up causing its resistance to drop to nominal levels and this in turns allows the current to flow through it at an acceptable rate, and the connected load is able to work normally.
In this post I have explained how to use an NTC thermistors in circuits for suppressing surge current during power switch ON. We also learn the datasheet and the electrical specifications of an NTC.
Today electronics is getting more and more compact and light weight, it's basically due to the involvement of compact converters which have completely eliminated the age old iron cored transformers.
However, this had to come at a cost, these units became too vulnerable to switch ON power surges.
But electronics always has appropriate answers, whatever may be the issues. NTC thermistors were created exactly for tacking this, that is in-rush surge currents during power switch ON.
What's an NTC
NTC (Negative temperature coefficient) thermistor is a semiconductor that contains metallic oxides.
It displays an electrical resistance which has an extremely foreseeable alteration with warmth.
The resistance differs substantially with heat, much more in comparison to
normal resistors.
These are incredibly perceptive to heat change, very precise and interchangeable.
They possess a broad temperature envelope which enable it to be hermetically packed to be used in damp conditions also.
Main Features:
* Durability of service, superior stability
* Compactness, robustness, sturdy surge current resistance
* Quick reaction time to surge current
* Extensive operating spectrum
* Significant element constant (B value), minimal stay resistance.
How does an NTC Functions
An NTC is attributed with a special property through which it is able to raise its resistance significantly during power switch ON.
When used in electronic circuits this property helps blocking the initial surge currents in to the connected circuit.
However in the process, the NTC becomes relatively warmer, which brings down its resistance to lower levels such that the normalized safe power subsequently is allowed to pass over to the adjacent circuits.
Practical application:
Thermistors are commonly used as
* Inrush current limiters
* As Temperature sensors
* In the form of self-resetting over current protectors
* In self regulating heating elements
* Power Converters, switch mode power supply SMPS, UPS power protection
* Energy efficient lights, electronic ballasts and chokes,
* Many vulnerable electronic circuits, power supply circuits etc.
The following image shows an example NTC component:
Identifying the NTC Thermistor from its Print Mark:
Before learning how to use an NTC thermistor, the users must first know to read the label and the rating of the device. The first digit "5" indicates the resistance of the part at normal conditions. Here it indicates 5 Ohms.
The subsequent alphabet and the digit indicate the diameter of the particular part, here it's 11mm.
How to Connect an NTC Thermistor in Practical Electronic Circuits
Normally in an electronic circuit an NTC is connected at one of the mains inputs, in series.
Alternatively, an NTC may be also used by connecting the device after the bridge rectifier, as shown in the following examples of surge controlled compact transformerless 1 watt LED driver circuits.
Filter Capacitors and NTC
The main issue related to current surges in switch-mode power supplies is a result of the large filter capacitors employed to filter the ripple in the rectified 60 Hz current before getting chopped at the high frequency.
The picture below shows a circuit generally found in switching power supplies.
In this schematic the highest current during power switch on is the peak line voltage divided by the value of the resistor R.
For mains supply of 120 V AC, this can be roughly 120 x √2/R.
In the best possible scenario, just when Power is switched ON, the value of the resistor R needs to be much bigger, and quickly after once the mains supply is in its normal state, the R value must drop to zero.
An NTC thermistor is designed to work quite in this way, and therefore is best suited for most power supply application.
The job of an NTC is to limit the initial switch ON surge current by working like a power resistor that drops from a high value cool resistor to a low value warm resistor, the warmth being created by the normal current flowing through it.
NTC Considerations
A few of the aspects that needs to be considered while using NTC thermistor as an inrush current limiter are:
- Highest allowable surge current during Power switch-on
- Finding the equivalent thermistor size with respect to the the filter capacitors
- Maximum value of the current during it staeady state and normal continuous operation
- Highest possible ambient temperature around the thermistor
- Maximum expected life of the power supply
Maximum Surge Current
The major intent behind restricting inrush current is always to protect the electronic components that are connected in series with the input line of the DC/DC converter.
Generally, inrush protection inhibits annoying blowing of fuses or tripping of circuit breakers and sometimes burning or fusing of the of switch contacts.
Since the majority of thermistor elements are extremely ohmic at any assigned temperature, the lowest no-load resistance of the thermistor is computed by dividing the peak input voltage by the maximum permissible surge current in the power supply
Normal NTC Resistance = Vpeak / Imax surge
Turn-ON Current Surge
As soon as the input AC of an SMPS is switch-ON, all the associated filter capacitors inside the SMPS act like temporary instantaneous short circuit points, which store a charge equivalent to 1/2CV2 .
This sudden and instantaneous large inrush of current due to the the capacitors storing the charge has to make its way through the NTC.
Due to this the NTC temperature rises rapidly during this period, and as a result its resistance drops which ensures that subsequently when the capacitors are charged the NTC will stop restricting any further current and allow the current to reach the load normally.
The total time taken by the capacitors to charge optimally is dependent on the voltage.
The amount of current surge or power surge the NTC will be able to tolerate, fundamentally depends on the "mass" of the NTC.
The above logical view can be justified with the following expression and formula:
Input Energy = Energy Stored + Energy Dissipated
Pdt = HdT + (T – TA)dt
where:
- P = Amount of power developed inside the NTC, t = Time
- H = Capacity of the thermistor to heat up
- T = Thermistor body Temperature or the Dissipation constant
- TA = Ambient temperature
During the brief moment while the capacitors are charging (normally lower than 0.1 second), hardly any power is dissipated by the NTC.
Almost all of the input energy is adjusted as heat within the thermistor body.
In standard charts for inrush current limiters you can find outlined an advisable value of maximum capacitance at 120 V and 240 V.
This rating is not really meant to specify the overall capacities of the thermistors; rather, this indicates a practical value over and above which there can be some decrease in the life span of the limiter device.
Maximum Steady-State Current
The maximum steady-state current rating of a thermistor is mainly decided by the practical life of the power supply unit, for which the thermistor is being used and selected for protection.
In the steady-state situation, the balance of power in the differential equation explained earlier boils down to the below given heat balance formula:
Power = I2R = (T – TA)
As higher and higher current passes through the limiter device, its steady-state working temperature increases and its resistance decreases.
The highest current rating corresponds to the maximum permitted temperature.
In the standard inrush current limiters tables you will find a list of resistance values with respect to the load for each device, and also a recommended optimum steady-state current.
These ratings are dependent on standard PCB heat sinking, without considering the air ventilation, within a ambient temperature of 77° (25°C).
Having said that, the majority of power supplies include a reasonable air flow, which means a further increase in the the safety margin in addition to what is actually included in the maximum current rating.
In order to derate the maximum working steady state current with an increased ambient temperatures, you may make use of the below shown equation:
Iderated = √(1.1425–0.0057 x TA) x Imax @ 77°F (25°C)
Hi Mr. Swagatam;
I have 220AC 1600W analog oven. I also have some NTCs at home. Is it possible to test the current of the NTCs by using them with the oven?
Hi Suat,
You can test your NTC with that load, if your NTC starts getting hot, that would mean your NTC is not 5 amp or 10 amp rated.
Hi Mr. Swagatam;
I need a 10 Ohm 5A NTC. Is the item NTG05-010 at the farnell datasheet list proper for the purpose?
https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/3217126.pdf
You are correct Suat, it is NTG05-010…
Hi Mr. Swagatam;
How can we know / understand the current rate of the NTC? Or Is it possible to connecte them in serial or parallel?
Hi Suat,
It will printed on it as code. You can get all the information from the datasheet: You will have to connect it in series with the 150uF capacitor.
https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/3217126.pdf
Thanks Swagatam. I had meant by saying “connecting in serial / paralel”: If we have double NTC, is it possible to connect them like the resistors? (serial and parallel connection of the double or more NTCs)
Hi Suat,
You can connect NTCs in series and parallel, but make sure that the thermistors have similar characteristics (e.g., resistance vs. temperature curve).
Dear author
Hello author, I sincerely thank the author for the article I just read, I am a mechanical repair technician, so I also have a passion for learning about electricity and electronics, through this article I hope the author will share with me some basic, rudimentary knowledge about electronics in general and electronic circuits in particular so that I can read and understand the basic circuit diagram,
Sincerely thank the author
Thank you PT,
I appreciate your interest.
This blog has many circuit designs and concepts dedicated to newcomers like you, which you can try.
If you face any problems understanding the concepts, you can always feel free to comment under the post to get quick solutions from me.
Hi Swagatam, I am looking into a circuit simulator to the one above. Filter Capacitors and NTC. Would you or have you ever made a circuit that will allow me to input a 120v Ac voltage to a 2 volt dc, 20 milliamp led Optic coupler? Your circuit looks very close to what I would like to accomplish. So, I have saw this done, but no values shown. The circuit is setup, Ac in to a 3 watt resistor and then what looks like a MOV to neutral. Then after the resistor something that looks like a capacitor and then into a Bridge rectifier. The positive output of the bridge rectifier goes to the optic coupler LED. Then returns to the bridge rectifier. The other end of the bridge rectifier goes back to a LED indicator then to neutral. There is also a diode facing backwards with a resistor in parallel with the indicator LED. Sorry for the long explanation. Could you give me any information that may help? Thank you in advance.
Thank you Bill,
Sorry, I tried searching, but i could not find out the circuit diagram you are referring to. If you want to operate an opto coupler from 120V source, you can build the following circuit:
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/connecting-opto-coupler-with-120V-AC.jpg
My Small LED take 0.01A at 230V AC 50Hz. I want to connect NTC for more protection and long life. let me know what value recommend. Currently I am using 100 ohms resistance to protect the inrush current.
You can use the NTC which is shown in the above article.
Thanks noted well
I need to simulate an inrush thermistor (like 5D-9) in Spice — any clue where to get a model?
Sorry, no ideas about it.
LOW voltage ceiling fan Bldc fan In surge test NTC burnt. Could please give the solution to pass the 4KVA surge test .
If the surge is for a few milliseconds then a stronger and bigger NTC will work. If the surge is longer a few milliseconds then nothing can work to stop it.
Pls what could be the problem 220v to 24v smps,no output?
Your SMPS MOSFET might have burned. That could be the main cause!
Thanks for your reply Sir. Actually the amperage is 16 . the circuit connects one fridge and one TV ( Not LED TV old sony TV). Instead can I use TVS diode P6KE180A??
Hi Micheal, you can use TVS, but EVS diodes will control high voltage spikes, it will not control switch ON current surge
Dear Swagatham,
I used NTC thermister as per your circuit that after fuse towards the load. It works for a week or so after that it was totally burnt,.Tthis has happned twice the total watts of that circuit is 800 watts/220 ac. What would be the cause or shiuld I use higher capacity NTC??
Dear Michael, The NTC is in series with the supply line and therefore at 800 watts, the device may be subjected to a current of more than 3 amps (800/220). Therefore you will have to make sure that your NTC is rated to handle around 5 amp current so that it is able to withstand 3 amp current surge easily. Please check and verify the current rating of your NTC or replace it with an appropriate one.
A Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor is a device which suppresses switch ON current surge by resisting current through a temporary increase in its body temperature. “This increase in temperature occurs due to the sudden inrush switch ON current which in turn helps to increase the NTC temperature and cause an increase in its resistance value.”
The statement in “ “ is contrary to the nature of NTC which decreases in resistance value with temperature increase.
A statement in WiKi better explains the function of NTC.
• “As an inrush current limiter device in power supply circuits, they present a higher resistance initially, which prevents large currents from flowing at turn-on, and then heat up and become much lower resistance to allow higher current flow during normal operation. These thermistors are usually much larger than measuring type thermistors, and are purposely designed for this application.[22]
Thank you for the information. You are correct. I will make the necessary changes soon.
Dear Sir,
I saw the NTC circuit .you have shown AC input which one would be AC out put or to the load.
Sir,
Can I have a circuit diagram for surge spike controller. I am going to fix it inside the extension box working in regular 220V.
this circuit diagram must more than one MOV plus one NTC.
Also can I have circuit for 220v with TVS diode/
I am novice in electronics.
Thanks and kind regards
Michael, you can refer to the following article:
AC 220V/120V Mains Surge Protector Circuits
Yes sir thanks
but can you give me the values or types or code nos for the MOV and NTC?
please send a circuit using TVS diode for a 220V useage
Michael, you will have to visit the relevant datasheets and refer to the table/chart provided in the datasheet and compare the available data with your required specs and select the right one appropriately…..
Presently I do not have a TVS based suppressor…will try to find and update it soon
Dear Sir,
data sheet is too much for me cos i do not know much about electronics though I am interested.
Today I used MOV and NTC ans per your diagram. i think it works cos it did not blow up
Hello Michael, I understand, you can learn more only if you keep trying…I am glad the MOV circuit is working for you.
Thanks for the reference Swagatam.
And one more clarification. In AC can I use both MOV and TVS for better safety ?? And how to convert two TVS unidirectional into bidirectional??
You are welcome Michael,
you can read the following article for the required info:
https://www.mouser.com/pdfdocs/Semtech_Application_Note_TVS_Diode.pdf
thanks Swagatam.
and I want to send you one circuit diagram for your valuable opinion. Advice how to send it.
Secondly how to replace neon bulb to LED in a electric tester and what modification have I to do?
The easiest way is to upload the schematic on any free online image host, and then provide the link here, if possibly will try to solve it.
Are we sure that an NTC is the correct component? I think it should be a PTC, as an NTC will start at a high resistance and will reduce resistance as it heats up. This is exactly what you don’t want in this situation. A PTC does the exact opposite, it starts out with a low resistance and will increase as the temperature rises due to a current surge…
The risk of a surge current is maximum when power is first switched ON. An NTC provides a high resistance initially and helps blocking the power switch ON current surge. In the process its own temperature rises which reduces its resistance for enabling normal flow of current to the load subsequently.