A thermostat is a device the controls the heating and air-conditioning system in the house. A thermostat consists of two essential parts; the base and the cover. Other parts found in a thermostat are a thermistor, microcontroller, mode buttons, a built-in clock, and a screen (temperature indicator). A digital thermostat is used to control the heating and cooling system in one's house. The device allows an individual to program its settings in order to attain their desired room temperature. Below is a description of its parts, their functions, and how a digital thermostat works.
Detailed Description of the device
Base & cover
The base and cover offer protection to the thermostat's inner parts from lint, dust, or any other possible contaminant. The cover also contains the temperature setting buttons and indicator.
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(Image courtesy of air heaters. Info)
The Thermistors
A thermistor is a particular resistor located in a thermostat. A resistor is an electronic component that resists the electricity's flow, thus slowing it down. As the temperature changes, so do the electrical resistance (Nice et al., n.d). Therefore, the higher the temperature, the more resistance is created by a thermostat.
Microcontrollers
The microcontroller is found in a digital thermostat. Its primary use is measuring the resistance before converting that figure to an actual temperature reading. Indeed, a microcontroller is embedded inside the device to control the product's features and actions (Nice et al., n.d). This part is often attached to a dedicated input device containing a display output. It works by taking input from the input device and directing the signals to various components within the device.
Digital clock
A digital thermostat displays a digital clock on the top corner of the screen display. After connecting the thermostat to the air-conditioning system, an individual may set the clock using the set clock button to regulate the temperature changes automatically.
(image courtesy of jonesairconditioning.com)
Buttons
A thermostat has an ‘on and off button, mode button, and up or down button.’ The on and off button switches the thermostat on or off. The mode button allows one to change between cool or heat. The up and down button allows one to regulate or select the desired temperature (Nice et al., n.d). Also, the up and down button can be used to change the temperature.
A screen (temperature indicator)
The screen/ temperature indicator provides a visual display of the time and temperature readings.
Thermostat Functioning
A digital thermostat makes use of a simple device referred to as a thermistor. The thermistor measures temperature. At the same time, the thermistor permits electrical resistance changes concerning temperature. The microcontroller found within a digital thermostat is used to measure resistance before converting it to an actual temperature reading. The resistance is used to calculate the air temperature in a room (Nice et al., n.d). Subsequently, the temperature is compared to predetermined temperatures for the air conditioner and heater. If the temperature is high, the thermostat directs a signal to the air condition, turning it on. When the temperature drops, a signal is sent to the air conditioner, turning it off. The same applies to the heater.
Conclusion
A thermostat is a device the controls the heating and air-conditioning system in the house. A thermostat consists of two essential parts; the base and the cover. Other parts found in a thermostat are a thermistor, microcontroller, mode buttons, a built-in clock, and a screen (temperature indicator). When the temperature is high or cold, a signal is sent to the air conditioner, turning it on or off respectively.
References
jonesairconditioning.com. (n.d). What is a Digital Thermostat? Retrieved from http://www.jonesairconditioning.com/hvac-quick-tips/what-is-a-digital-thermostat#:~:text=Digital%20thermostats%20use%20a%20simple%20device%20called%20a%20thermistor%20to%20measure%20temperature.&text=The%20microcontroller%20in%20a%20digital,a%20regular%20mechanical%20thermostat%20cannot . (Accessed January 28 2021).
Nice, K., Brothers, P., & Sennebogen, E. (n.d). How Home Thermostats Work. Retrieved from https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-thermostat.htm (Accessed January 28 2021).
rtPanel. (n.d). Thermostat Components. Retrieved from http://www.airheaters.info/thermostats-and-humidistats/thermostat-components.html (Accessed January 28 2021).
