Duct Temperature Sensor

Table of Contents

Duct Temperature Sensor - The duct static temperature sensor measures air temperature in the ductwork. The solid-state temperature sensing devices are commonly used in HVAC applications that are controlled by direct digital control or a modern building automation system. At the base of the box is a probe that sticks into the air stream of the ductwork. As the air passes over it, the probe changes resistance.

A small current that passes through the thermistor either increases or decreases depending on how the temperature changes. The controller reads this change and registers this temperature change and compares it to a table in the DDC program. The table has a sliding scale that matches a temperature to the set amount of current returning from the thermistor. This is how a thermistor is a reliable temperature sensing device.

There are millions of these temperature sensors in use today and they reliably measure temperatures and cause DDC programs to react to the temperature these thermistors read. Thermistors are not only used in ductwork but also used in reading temperatures in pipes and mechanical equipment. Thermistors are not only used in HVAC application, computers use thermistors to read the temperature of your processor and turn the fan on to cool it when the temperature rises above a certain set point determined by the manufacturer. Chances are, there are several thermistors in your home and vehicle which read temperature to start an automatic process.