sci.electronics.basics

"confused2" wrote in message
news: @ ...
> Hello all,
>
> I am very new to electronics and need to build a simple 12V dc
> circuit, which will keep a heater mat at a fixed temperature... ie
> switch it on and off depending on tempterature. I guess I need a
> device that measures the temperature and opens a switch when that
> temperature is reached. Is there an electronic device that will do
> that?
>
> Thanks
> Alex
>

I have friend who makes a temperature-regulated silicone heater mat. It
used a simple IC and a power MOSFET. It was the LM56 low power thermostat.
You can contact him at .

A good primer on temp control is:
/technical_info/articles/temp_prm/

Also National's Temperature Sensor Handbook (which describes the LM56):
/appinfo/tempsensors/files/

Some other sensors are LM34, LM75, LM86 and LM134, or you can look at some
chips from Maxim:
/products/sensors/

Paul