Quality Resistors

Resistors are used in the manufacture of virtually every piece of electrical or electronic equipment. Any device that is powered by an Alternating Current (AC) or a Direct Current (DC) source incorporates resistors in their use. Without them, there would be no stereos, computers, mobile phones, tablets, televisions, and a wealth of other electronic technologies upon which to depend.

Resistors are manufactured from wire coated with resistive materials and then sealed with an insulator. The type and corresponding properties of the resistive materials used determine its overall strength. There are different types of resistors, but the most common types are the carbon, metal film, which includes metal oxide and thick film, and wirewound. Selection of one type of resistor over another other depends on the application, cost, and technical specifications of the resistor itself.

A current shunt resistor is a low Ohm, high precision resistor which is used to measure the current flowing through a circuit. Current is calculated by dividing the voltage drop of the resistor by the resistance of the resistor (I=V/R). These resistors are sometime referred to as “ammeter shunts” because of their ability to measure amperes. They are used when the current to be measured is out of the range of the measuring device. Depending on their rating, shunt resistors are usually designed to drop voltage by 50mV, 75mV or 100mV.

Pulse resustors are specifically used in a circuit to literally "withstand" the excess load and heating that accompanies a transient energy event. Hence, they are typically known as Power Withstanding Resistors (PWRs). Fusing with flameproof protection, under specific fault conditions, can also be designed into the resistor performance where necessary. The types of resistor technologies available are wirewound, metal film, metal oxide, and surface mount. Telecommunications, computers, consumer electronics, and office equipment are just a few of the applications in which a pulse resistor may be used.