Experiment with Thermal Switches: Blog # 1

Who AM I?

I have completed my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. Currently, I am working as an Assistant Professor at the University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (http://eee.uap-bd.edu/faculty.html). I am also doing my Ph.D. at the Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology.

I have around 15 years of practical experience in electronic and embedded systems. In my free time I make electronics projects and share those in the internet. I have published more than 100 open-source projects in https://instructables.com/member/taifur and https://hackster.io/taifur. I also won lots of prizes for my projects. Currently, I am very active in element14 and working with several design challenges.

What is Thermal Switch?

A thermal switch is an electromechanical device that opens and closes contacts to control the flow of electrical current in response to temperature change. They differ from thermal fuses as they are reusable, and suited to protecting against temporary situations that are common and user-correctable. The switch is activated by a temperature differential, at which point there is a change in state either from normally open to closed or from normally closed to open.

The applications of, and need for electromechanical thermal switch devices are broad and cover a huge diversity of industry applications. They are often used as thermal protection devices to prevent damage from overheating of electrical circuits, although they can also be used as a temperature control device. They prevent overheating in a variety of consumer, industrial, and commercial products by controlling power to circuitry in power supplies, electric motors, transformers, lighting fixtures, ballasts, and battery packs. Temperature control applications include the operation of heat pumps, electronic cooling fans, low voltage relays that actuate a motor starter and igniter for an oil burner, a heavy-duty switch for electrical units, or a solenoid-operated valve on a gas furnace.

KEMET’s Thermorite^® Thermal Switches

KEMET’s Thermorite^® are new generation of thermal switches (temperature sensors) that deliver greater accuracy, faster response times, and better stability with respect to ageing and environmental conditions such as humidity. Thermorite reed switch turns ON/OFF at a trigger temperature based on the thermo-ferrite material used in the switch. 

How I will test the KEMET's thermal switches

I will use and test the switches with home appliances in following three use cases.

1. I will use one thermal switch with a hot air gun. I will test the switch's responses and accuracy with the air temperature.  

2. I will use and test the thermal switch to protect induction motor from overheating. 

3. I will use and test thermal switches to presise temperature control of cooking pot.