Thermo..........

[Pelly8910]

What's the difference between a thermocouple and a thermister?
And what are they?

[Clanad]

Called a thermistor here in the U.S., it's actually a current limiting device (among other tasks). It protects electrical devices in the case of overvoltage...

A thermocouple is used most often in pilot light ignition on fireplaces, ovens and the like. It consists of two dissimilar metals (wire) inside of a sheath. When it's heated it produces low voltage electricity. When it senses heat (or lack thereof) it can produce an electrical current to open a valve and let gas come through until it cools down sufficiently to then shut off the gas due to lack of electrical current...

[Count-A-Strong]

A thermocouple is a junction between two different metals that produces a voltage related to a temperature difference. They are a widely used type of temperature sensor for measurement and control

A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance varies significantly with temperature, They are widely used as inrush current limiters, temperature sensors, self-resetting overcurrent protectors, and self-regulating heating elements.

[stoofur]

The first one is Two warm things that are quite close (possibly intimate). Where as the second one is One warm male on it's own.

Hope that helps.