Negative coefficient sensors read temperatures at?

Negative coefficient sensors, commonly known as Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistors, exhibit a characteristic where their resistance decreases as the temperature increases. Therefore, when the temperature is cold, the resistance is relatively high, and as the temperature rises, the resistance drops significantly.

This means that at lower temperatures (or when cold), the sensor will show higher resistance, while at elevated temperatures (or when hot), the sensor’s resistance will decrease to a lower value. As such, both conditions are true—they read higher resistance at lower temperatures and lower resistance at higher temperatures, which is the defining behavior of NTC sensors.

Understanding how these sensors function is important, particularly in automotive applications where accurate temperature readings are crucial for engine management systems, helping ensure optimal performance and emissions control.