PTC Ceramic Heaters in Automotive Controls

Ceramic thermistors with a large positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTC) have seen increased usage as self-regulating heaters for automotive controls in the past ten years. This paper describes PTC ceramic, its properties and electrical characteristics. Recent automotive applications of PTC ceramic are reviewed, including choke controls, fuel heaters and throttle body heaters to demonstrate the advantages and flexibility of PTC ceramic heating elements in automotive controls.