What Is a Thermostat? Thersmotat Types and Functions

by | Mar 30, 2022 | HVAC

Find the Best Component Explanation of the What is a Thermostat?

What is a thermostat? It is a device that functions to disconnect and connect an electric current in detecting changes in temperature in the surrounding environment based on a specified temperature setting. There are various types, namely mechanical and electronic thermostats. Mechanical thermostats are a type of contact temperature sensor that uses the Electro-Mechanical principle. 

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Meanwhile, electronic thermostats use electronic components to detect temperature changes. This type of thermostat has a different way of working.

Working Principle

1. Bimetallic Strips Thermostat

Mechanical thermostats consist of Bi-Metallic Strips, which are two different types of metal that are attached. The two strips function as a bridge to deliver or break the electric current into the heating or cooling system circuit. The following is the working principle of the Bimetallic Strips Thermostat:

· During normal conditions, the strip that functions as a bridge will be connected and will flow an electric current. The connected circuit will be turned ON. When the strip gets hot, one of the metals will expand and change its shape to a dent and will bend more according to the hot conditions of the strip. 

Until finally, it will separate the strip connection with the circuit so that the flow of electricity into the heating or cooling system circuit will also be cut off. The thermostat then changes to the OFF state or there is a disconnection of the electric current to the heating or cooling system, which is connected to the thermostat.

· When in the OFF condition, no electric current will flow in the Bimetal strip. Gradually, the Bimetal Strip will cool down again. The curved metal returns to its original shape, so it can reconnect, and an electric current begins to flow through the bimetal strip. When the thermostat becomes ON, and the heating or cooling system circuit turns ON again. That’s a simple explanation of the working principle of the bimetallic strip thermostat for those who want to know more about a thermostat.

2. Electronic Thermostat

The working principle of the electronic thermostat is different from the working principle of the Bimetallic Strip one, which applies the electro-mechanical concept. Electronic thermostats consist of electronic circuits consisting of electronic components. The main component is a Thermistor, which is a resistor whose resistance value is affected by the ambient temperature. Thus, the main purpose of this component is to detect temperature changes. The thermistor in this thermometer is divided into two types, namely the PTC Thermistor and the NTC Thermistor.

The NTC/PTC thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance value is influenced by the surrounding temperature. The function of the NTC/PTC Thermistor can be tested using a Digital Multi-meter or an Analog Multi-meter with the help of a heater. Besides being able to test the thermistor, you can also distinguish the type of thermistor, including the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) type or the Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) type. For those who want to learn about thermostat, here are the working principles of an electronic thermostat as follows:

· When the Thermistor detects a high-temperature condition, the resistance will also change so that the electronic circuit will cut the electric current into the heating or cooling system.

· When the thermistor cools down again, the resistance on the thermistor will change to normal, so that the electronic circuit that acts as a controller will reconnect the flow of electric current to the heating/cooling system so that the thermostat turns ON again.

The advantages of electronic thermostats are also called digital thermostats. This type of thermostat has the advantage of saving energy. There is also an electronic thermostat known as a programable one. Users can adjust the temperature according to the desired time on the type of programable thermostat.

Those of you who are still wondering about a this device. What are the advantages of an electronic thermostat? How to choose the best products? How much money is needed to create an automatic smart home? Get the best answers by contacting some trusted manufacturers and suppliers.