A Guide on How to Choose the Best Power Resistors

As a matter of fact, the life of your electrical appliances depends on the resistor type you use. For instance, if you have a power amplifier, a welding machine or a transmitter, the resistor you use is what determines the service you will get from your appliances. This is because a resistor will help in preventing the appliance from being damaged by power currents. Depending on the resistor type whether a low or high power resistor, there are some properties or characteristics you need to look for before making your final decision.

1. Power rating and handling capability and tolerance.

One of the features that define a quality wirewound resistor is power rating and handling capability. Different power resistors companies will make resistors that have the same power ratings but different handling capacities. The handling capacity of the resistor on power rating is what determines the ambient temperatures the resistor can hold. Find the best wirewound Resistor company or check out this power resistors company.

Due to this fact, it is important to look of a resistor whose power handling capability is high. This is what makes withhold high temperatures even when exposed to hot environments. This is not different when it comes to tolerance. When you use resistors that are poor when it comes to resistance, they will be easily destroyed by circuit imbalances.

2. Temperature coefficient and voltage ratings.

The temperature coefficient is the feature that gives a resistor the power to withstand different temperature changes when the current rises or falls. There are two types of temperature coefficient properties that you need to check when looking for these resistors. Depending on your appliance type and power consumed, you can either choose a resistor with a positive or negative TC.

A resistor with positive TC means it has the ability to increase resistance as temperatures continue rising. On the other hand, a resistor with a negative TC works in an opposite mechanism as a positive TC resistor. That is a rise in temperatures, a decrease in resistance. If you are looking for current sense resistors or current shunt resistors, you need to look for positive TC devices.

3. Frequency response, stability and noise produced.

When it comes to resistance, these devices will come with capacitive and inductive features. These are the features that change electrical impedance more so when subjected to higher frequencies. This is what makes a resistor to act like an inductor filter or RC circuit. When this feature is considered, you should not rely on devices such as wirewound resistors due to their poor frequency response characteristics. Stability and noise reduction are other features you need to consider.