What is the difference between a thermistor and a thermocouple?
Thermal sensors are generally either a thermistor or a thermocouple. A thermistor is a variable resistor that responds to temperature changes, while a thermocouple is made of dissimilar metals that generate a variable voltage in response to temperature fluctuations. Thermocouples are generally thought to produce a more stable signal and to react better to small changes in airflow. On the other hand, thermistors tend to react more quickly to a temperature change. Thermistors require a battery box to generate the current for the resistor. At the end of the day it is often a personal preference of the technologist that determines which sensor is used as they both provide adequate signals to detect breathing events.
