Thermistor vs. Thermostat

Thermistornoun

a resistor whose resistance varies rapidly and predictably with temperature and as a result can be used to measure temperature.

Thermostatnoun

A device that automatically responds to changes in temperature by activating a heating or cooling system to maintain the temperature at a desired setting.

Thermistornoun

a semiconductor device made of materials whose resistance varies as a function of temperature; can be used to compensate for temperature variation in other components of a circuit

Thermostatnoun

A device which automatically regulates temperature, or provides a signal used by another device to regulate temperature. The temperature-sensitive signal may be electronic, as that produced by a thermocouple. The signal may also be caused mechanically, as by the unequal expansion of different metals, liquids, or gases by heat, which can then cause the opening or closing of the damper of a stove, or the like, as the heat becomes greater or less than is desired.

Thermistor

A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance is strongly dependent on temperature, more so than in standard resistors. The word is a combination of thermal and resistor.

Thermostatnoun

a regulator for automatically regulating temperature by starting or stopping the supply of heat

Thermostatverb

control the temperature with a thermostat

Thermostatnoun

a device that automatically regulates temperature, or that activates a device when the temperature reaches a certain point.

Thermostat

A thermostat is a regulating device component which senses the temperature of a physical system and performs actions so that the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint. Thermostats are used in any device or system that heats or cools to a setpoint temperature, examples include building heating, central heating, air conditioners, HVAC systems, water heaters, as well as kitchen equipment including ovens and refrigerators and medical and scientific incubators.