Definition
An electrical component whose resistance changes predictably with temperature, used as a temperature-sensing element in aircraft systems and instruments.
Plain English
A small part that changes how easily electricity flows through it as it gets hotter or colder. The system reads that change and converts it into a temperature reading.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance when checking temperature-sensing circuits, environmental control systems, battery systems, and other equipment that reacts to heat or cold.
Derivation
From 'thermal' (heat) + 'resistor' (an electrical component that resists current). The name tells you exactly what it does: a resistor whose value depends on heat.
Why Pilots Care
Provides reliable temperature data for engine monitoring and system health, supporting safe operation and maintenance decisions.
Intuition Check
A thermistor is not just a thermometer. A thermometer displays temperature; a thermistor is an electrical part inside a circuit that changes with temperature.
Example Sentence 1
The outside air temperature gauge gets its reading from a thermistor mounted in a small probe on the aircraft's skin.
Example Sentence 2
During the inspection, a bad thermistor was replaced so the oil temperature reading would stay accurate.