Shunt Resistor – What Are the Important Parameters of a Shunt Resistor?

Shunt resistor is used in electronic circuits to create a less resistance path for current to pass. It is generally connected with an ammeter for current measurement.

This type of resistor has two large terminals for circuit connections & has four smaller terminals for current measurement. It also has different parameters such as TCR (temperature coefficient of resistance). This parameter determines how much the resistance will change with temperature.

Resistance

A shunt resistor is designed to transmit a millivolt output to an instrument like an ammeter in proportion to the current flow across it. This can be used for both AC and DC measurements. The resistance of a shunt resistor depends on several parameters such as the maximum current rating, resistance tolerance and temperature coefficient. These parameters are crucial in ensuring the correct operation of the device.

The shunt resistor can be constructed from a variety of metal alloy elements that are soldered to tinned copper terminals. These can be found in a wide range of applications including battery management systems, current sensing in hybrid & electric vehicles, power modules and industrial controls.

To achieve a high level of accuracy, shunt resistors are typically designed with a minimum ohmic value. This helps to avoid issues like lead resistance and sensitivity that can affect the overall measurement accuracy. Additionally, to prevent unwanted heat generation, shunt resistors are often made from a material such as manganin.

This type of shunt resistor is able to generate less heat than standard resistor alloys and has a lower resistance value. This makes it ideal for measuring display driver high levels of current in a small package. However, the shunt resistor must be carefully chosen to ensure it is suitable for the application.

For example, if the shunt resistor is expected to handle 10Arms of current, it should be designed with a higher voltage rating than a standard resistor. This will help to protect the circuit from overheating due to excessive current. The shunt resistor also needs to be properly calibrated. This is done by comparing its readings to those of a known current source. The calibration process involves removing resistive material until the values match up. This can be a complex process and may require the use of an instrument such as a digital multimeter.

Tolerance

It’s important for a resistor to have an accurate tolerance. This parameter determines how much the resistance value will change over time due to the changing environment and temperature. Normal generic resistors typically have a tolerance of 10% or less. Shunt resistors need to have a higher tolerance in order to detect current accurately.

This is because the shunt resistor generates more heat than other components in the circuit. This heat generation changes the resistance value of the shunt resistor, which leads to an inaccurate detection of current flow. To compensate for this, other components are used in the circuit to correct the voltage output from the shunt resistor. However, this adds to the cost of the system and hinders integration/miniaturization.

Shunt resistors are designed with a special copper-nickel-manganese alloy called manganin that has a low temperature coefficient and remains very stable over time. It is also an electrically conductive material that can be made into a variety of shapes and sizes. Shunts with exposed parallel wires are often made with zeranin or Evanohm, while those enclosed in heat sinks are made with a Vishay technology called bulk metal foil.

Shunts are most often used to convert large currents to smaller ones that can be measured. In most cases, the shunt is connected to an ammeter circuit in parallel with it so that the direction of the current can be determined. A common example is a car battery where shunts are used to measure the amount of current being drawn from the alternator. The shunt then feeds the readings from the ammeter to the car engine. If the current is drawing too much, the engine will shut down to prevent overheating. Shunts can also be used in a home to monitor the electrical energy usage of appliances.

Power Rating

The power rating of a shunt resistor is important as it enables you to determine how much current the resistor can handle without overheating. This is determined by multiplying the resistance value with the maximum current flow. For example, a 50 mili-ohms resistor that passes 2A of current will dissipate 0.5W of power (2A * 0.5 watt).

Shunt resistors can be used for both AC and DC current measurements, as long as the voltage drop across it is lower than the voltage rating of the device. This type of resistor is usually connected in parallel to an ammeter to measure the total current flow of a circuit or device. The shunt resistor is also equipped with a temperature coefficient to help you detect overcurrent conditions or leftover battery levels.

When choosing a shunt resistor, you must consider the following soc chip parameters: resistance, tolerance, form factor, thermal EMF, and power rating. It is recommended that you select a high-temperature shunt resistor with low TCR for your application. A high TCR will affect the accuracy of the shunt resistor and can lead to inaccurate measurements.

The shunt resistor is an important component in the circuit of many electronic devices. It is a special type of resistor that measures current flow and has an extremely high power rating. The shunt resistor is also available in different sizes, making it easy to use in a variety of applications. The shunt resistor is designed to be durable and can withstand high temperatures.

Shunt resistors are commonly used in current measuring devices such as ammeters. They are also useful in overload protection control circuits to avoid overcurrent conditions. Moreover, the shunt resistor can detect and indicate defective components in a circuit. Linquip offers a wide selection of shunt resistors for various applications. Our shunt resistors are made of metal-foil elements with a low TCR and high temperature stability.