Medium

Temperature-Triggered Fan Switch (Thermistor)

An NTC thermistor changes resistance with temperature — combined with a transistor, it automatically switches on a fan (or any load) once the temperature crosses a threshold.

Circuit Diagram

+9V NTC fixed R base R Q BC337 C → fan E → GND FAN 1N4007 NTC + fixed R divider — warming the NTC lowers its resistance, switching the fan on

How to Build It

  1. Place the NTC thermistor on the breadboard, in series with a fixed resistor, forming a voltage divider.
  2. Connect the divider's junction to a BC337 transistor's base, through a resistor.
  3. Connect the transistor's collector to one fan terminal (or fan relay), the other terminal to the positive rail.
  4. Connect a 1N4007 diode across the fan (protection).
  5. Connect the emitter to GND.
  6. Gently warm the thermistor (with your fingers) — the fan should switch on.

Bill of Materials

ProductCodeQty
Diode/bridge rectifier 1N4007-DIO 1
NTC thermistor NTC0603-10K-B1 1
Resistor DR47K-8/9 1
Transistor (incl. IGBT) 1
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