Surface Mount (SMT / SMD) Shunt Resistors
Last Updated: November 6, 2024 Reviewed by: Jon Lowy, consulting engineer
Description
Surface Mount (SMT / SMD) Shunt Resistors are specialized resistors designed for current sensing applications. These resistors are mounted directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) using surface mount technology (SMT). They are characterized by their compact size, low resistance values, and high precision. For example, the BVN 1216 series from Isabellenhütte offers resistance values as low as 0.5 milliohms and can handle continuous currents up to 100 amperes. These resistors are often used in applications requiring precise current measurements and are available in various package sizes and power ratings.
Working Principle
The working principle of SMT shunt resistors involves measuring the voltage drop across the resistor when current flows through it. This voltage drop is directly proportional to the current, according to Ohm's Law (V = IR). By measuring this voltage drop, the current flowing through the circuit can be accurately determined. These resistors are designed to have very low inductance and temperature coefficients, ensuring minimal error in current measurement. For instance, the BVN series has a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of less than 50 parts per million per degree Celsius, which helps maintain accuracy over a wide temperature range.
Applications
SMT shunt resistors are widely used in various applications that require precise current measurement. These include power management systems, battery monitoring, automotive electronics, and industrial control systems. They are particularly useful in high-current applications due to their ability to handle significant power dissipation while maintaining accuracy. For example, the SSA series from Littelfuse is designed for high-performance current sensing in space-constrained applications, making it ideal for modern electronic devices.
Advantages over other Shunt Resistors
One of the primary advantages of SMT shunt resistors over other types is their compact size, which allows for high component density on PCBs. This is particularly beneficial in modern electronic devices where space is at a premium. Additionally, SMT shunt resistors offer excellent heat dissipation and low inductance, which are crucial for maintaining accuracy in high-frequency applications. Their low resistance values also help in reducing power loss, making them more efficient for current sensing applications. The BVN series, for instance, features very low inductance of less than 2 nano-henries, which is advantageous for minimizing errors in high-frequency circuits.
Limitations
Despite their numerous advantages, SMT shunt resistors do have some limitations. One of the main drawbacks is their relatively low power dissipation compared to other types of shunt resistors. This can limit their use in applications requiring very high power handling. Additionally, the precision and performance of these resistors can be affected by factors such as temperature variations and mechanical stress during the soldering process. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to their placement and mounting on the PCB to ensure optimal performance.
Considerations
When selecting SMT shunt resistors for a specific application, several factors need to be considered. These include the resistance value, power rating, temperature coefficient, and physical size of the resistor. It is also important to consider the mounting conditions and the thermal management of the PCB to ensure reliable performance. For example, the BVN series can be mounted on direct bonded copper (DBC) or insulated metal substrate (IMS) power substrates to enhance heat dissipation. Additionally, the choice of current sense amplifier is crucial for accurate current measurement, as it needs to be compatible with the low voltage drops across the shunt resistor.
from Isabellenhutte USA
1 W permanent power at 130 °C. Constant current up to 24 A (5 mOhm). Excellent long-term stability. High pulse power rating. Mounting: Reflow-, and IR-soldering. Detail specification ESCC 4001/027. SnPb tinned terminals [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 2010
- Tolerance: 0.5000 to 1
- Resistance Range: 0.0050 to 1
- Temperature Coefficient: 50
from Isabellenhutte USA
2 W Dauerleistung bei 120 °C. 2 W permanent power at 120 °C. Dauerstr öme bis 100 A. Constant current up to 100 A. Standard-L ötpadgeometrie (Baugr ö ße 2512). Standard pad size (size 2512). Bauteilemontage: Reflow- und IR-L öten. Mounting: Reflow- and IR-soldering [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 2817
- Tolerance: 0.5000 to 5
- Resistance Range: 0.0040 to 4
- Temperature Coefficient: 50 to 100
from Isabellenhutte USA
ISA-WELD ® Four terminal precision SMD current sensing resistor. High current automotive applications such as EPS-EHPS, Current sensor for power hybrids, Frequency converters and Power modules. Features. 5 W permanent power*. Constant current up to 100 A (0.5 mOhm). Four... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 2725
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 2.00E-4 to 0.0050
- Temperature Coefficient: 20 to 50
from Isabellenhutte USA
ISA-WELD ® technology, four terminal SMD for use on FR4 or IMS substrate. Used in power hybrid applications, Frequency converters, Power modules, High current applications for the automotive market. Features. 5 W permanent power*. Continuous current load up to 160 A (0.2 mOhm). Heavy copper... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 4026
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 2.00E-4 to 0.0030
- Temperature Coefficient: 20 to 50
from Isabellenhutte USA
ISA-WELD ® technology, two terminal SMD. Used in power hybrid applications, Frequency converters, Power modules, High current applications for the automotive market. Features. 2 W permanent power at 130 °C. Constant current up to 32 A (2 mOhm). Copper connectors. Excellent long term... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 0.0030 to 0.0250
- Temperature Coefficient: 100 to 130
from Isabellenhutte USA
ISA-WELD ® technology, two terminal SMD or Bus-Bar mount. Used in power hybrid applications, Frequency converters, Power modules, High current applications for the automotive market. Features. 10 W permanent power*. Continuous current load up to 220 A (0.2 mOhm). Heavy copper connectors. [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 5930
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 1.00E-4 to 0.0020
- Temperature Coefficient: 50 to 200
from Isabellenhutte USA
Features. Constant current up to 55 A (1 mOhm). 3 W power rating up to 145 °C. Two terminal configuration. Excellent long-term stability. High application temperature range -65 to +175 °C. RoHS 2011/65/EU compliant. Max. solder temperature up to 350 °C / 30 sec. AEC-Q200 qualified. [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 1213
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 1.00E-3 to 0.0015
- Temperature Coefficient: 70
from Isabellenhutte USA
Features. 5 W permanent power. Continuous current load up to 100 A (0.3 mOhm). Excellent long term stability. Heavy copper connectors. Max. solder temperature up to 350 °C / 30 sec. AEC-Q200 qualified. Applications. High current applications for the automotive market. Frequency converters. Power... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 3820
- Tolerance: 3 to 5
- Resistance Range: 5.00E-4
- Temperature Coefficient: 300
from Isabellenhutte USA
Features. Constant current up to 100 A (0.5 mOhm). 5 W power rating up to 130 °C. Four terminal-configurationon. Excellent long-term stability. Ideal suited for mounting on DBC / IMS substrate. High application temperature range -65 to +170 °C. Max. solder temperature up to 350 °C / 30... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 1216
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 3.00E-4 to 0.0030
- Temperature Coefficient: 50 to 75
from Isabellenhutte USA
ISA-WELD ® Precision SMD current sensing resistor. Small size ideal for Current sensor for power hybrid applications, High current applications for the automotive market, Frequency converters and Power modules. Features. 3 W permanent power. Continuous current load up to 100 A (0.3 mOhm). Heavy... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 2512
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 3.00E-4 to 0.0068
- Temperature Coefficient: 50 to 175
from Isabellenhutte USA
Features. Heavy copper connectors. Excellent long-term stability. Ideal suited for mounting on DBC / IMS substrate. Max. solder temperature up to 350 °C / 20 min. RoHS 2011/65/EU compliant. Applications. Current sensor for power hybrid applications. High current applications for the automotive... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 4026
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 5.25E-4 to 0.0030
- Temperature Coefficient: 60 to 320
from Isabellenhutte USA
FEATURES. Low resistance values from 1 mOhm. 1 W power rating at 140 °C. Constant current up to 30 A (1 mOhm). Excellent long-term stability. High pulse power rating. Mounting: Reflow- and IR-soldering. AEC-Q200 qualified [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 1206
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 1.00E-3 to 0.0100
- Temperature Coefficient: 50
from Isabellenhutte USA
Features. 2 W power rating at 130 °C. Constant current up to 26 A (3 mOhm). Excellent long-term stability. High pulse power rating. Mounting: Reflow- and IR-soldering. AEC-Q200 qualified [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 2010
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 0.0030 to 0.0100
- Temperature Coefficient: 50
from Isabellenhutte USA
Features. 1W power rating at 70 °C. Constant current up to 10A (10 mOhm). High pulse power rating. Good long-term stability. Mounting: Reflow-, and IR-soldering. AEC-Q200 qualified. RoHS 2011/65/EU compliant. Applications. Current sensor for power hybrid applications. Control systems for the... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 1206
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 0.0100 to 0.1000
- Temperature Coefficient: 50
from Isabellenhutte USA
Features. Power rating up to 4 W at 70 °C (1.5mOhm). Constant current up to 50 A (1.5mOhm). Small size (1206). High pulse power rating. Excellent long-term stability. Mounting: Reflow- and IR-soldering. AEC-Q200 qualification in preparation. RoHS 2011/65/EU compliant. Applications. Current... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 1206
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 0.0015 to 0.0060
- Temperature Coefficient: 50
from LCSC Electronics Technology (HK) Limited
5W 0.1m Ω Surface Mount Current Sensing Resistors ±25ppm/ °C ±1% SMD,6.6x6.6mm Current Sense Resistors/Shunt Resistors ROHS [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 1
- Resistance Range: 1.00E-4
- Temperature Coefficient: 25
from ROHM Semiconductor USA, LLC
PSR400 series is ideal for current detection under high current circuit. [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); PSR400
- Power Rating: 4
- Tolerance: 1
- Operating Temperature: -55 to 170
from Ohmite Manufacturing Co.
Available in two sizes ARCOL ’s CRS utilizes Electron Beam Welding technology to connect its Manganin or NiCr element to heavy copper connectors. Suitable for typical applications such as Solar Inverters, Frequency converters & current sensors for hybrid power sources. Excellent long-term... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 5.00E-4 to 0.0040
- Temperature Coefficient: 120
from ROHM Semiconductor GmbH
PSR400 series is ideal for current detection under high current circuit. [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Power Rating: 10
- Tolerance: 1
- Operating Temperature: -65 to 175
from Riedon, Inc.
Resistances from 0.002Ohm to 50Ohms. Power Rating to 15Watt. Resistance Tolerances to +/-0.1%. TCR to +/-15ppm/K. Load Stability to 0.1%. TO-220 Housing. Convenient SMD D2Pak Available [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 0.5000 to 5
- Resistance Range: 0.0020 to 50
- Temperature Coefficient: 15 to 50
from LCSC Electronics Technology (HK) Limited
0 Ω SMD,1.5x8.2mm Current Sense Resistors/Shunt Resistors ROHS [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Standards and Certifications: RoHS
- Resistance Range: 0.0
from Ohmite Manufacturing Co.
The Ohmite LVT series is s metal alloy strip resistor providing good TCR ratings. Low value stability is important when using a current sense resistor. The LVT offers TCR ratings down to 50ppm with tolerances down to 1%. The LVT series provides a resistance range from 2m to 20m ohms. TCR stability... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 0402; 0603; 0805; 1206
- Tolerance: 1 to 3
- Resistance Range: 0.0020 to 0.2000
- Temperature Coefficient: 50 to 150
from ROHM Semiconductor GmbH
PSR500 series is ideal for current detection under high current circuit. [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Power Rating: 10
- Tolerance: 1
- Operating Temperature: -65 to 175
from Riedon, Inc.
Resistances from 0.5Ohm to 150kOhms. Power Rating to 10Watt. Resistance Tolerances to ±0.01%. TCR to ±3ppm/K. Load Stability to 0.01%. TO-220 Housing. Convenient SMD D2Pak Available [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 0.0100 to 1
- Resistance Range: 0.5000 to 150
- Temperature Coefficient: 3 to 5
from LCSC Electronics Technology (HK) Limited
SMD,6x10mm Current Sense Resistors/Shunt Resistors ROHS [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Standards and Certifications: RoHS
from Ohmite Manufacturing Co.
Ohmite S series shunts are Ideal for lab environments or other applications requiring current handling up to 1200 amps. Large brass terminals are available in multiple types with the resistive element produced in a plate style construction. Additional connection points with attached hardware are... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Standards and Certifications: RoHS
- Current Rating: 100 to 1000
from ROHM Semiconductor GmbH
GMR50 series is a shunt resistor that provides industry-leading 4W rated power (at electrode temperature TK=90 °C) in the compact 5.0mm ×2.5mm size. This new series combines a revised electrode structure with optimized device design that improves heat dissipation to PCB where the resistor... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Temperature Coefficient: 25
- Tolerance: 1
- Power Rating: 4
from Riedon, Inc.
Resistances from 0.2Ohm to 80Ohms. Power Rating to 15Watt. Resistance Tolerances to ±0.01%. TCR to ±1ppm/K. Load Stability to 0.01% [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 0.0100 to 1
- Resistance Range: 0.2000 to 80
- Temperature Coefficient: 1 to 5
from LCSC Electronics Technology (HK) Limited
7W 0.5m Ω Surface Mount Current Sensing Resistors ±1% SMD,15x7.5mm Current Sense Resistors/Shunt Resistors ROHS [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 1
- Resistance Range: 5.00E-4
- Power Rating: 7
from Ohmite Manufacturing Co.
The Ohmite JR series high current jumpers are rated up to 100 amps and provides a max resistance range of 0.5m to 0.2m ohms. This minimizes effects on the designed circuit. Five industry sizes are available. The JR series also provides great insulation resistance over 100M ohms. [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD); 0402; 0603; 0805; 1206; 2512
- Current Rating: 20 to 100
- Resistance Range: 2.00E-4 to 1.00E-3
- Operating Temperature: 70
from ROHM Semiconductor GmbH
GMR100 series is ideal for current detection under high current circuit. [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Temperature Coefficient: 20
- Tolerance: 1
- Power Rating: 7
from LCSC Electronics Technology (HK) Limited
7W 1m Ω Surface Mount Current Sensing Resistors ±1% SMD,15x7.5mm Current Sense Resistors/Shunt Resistors ROHS [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 1
- Resistance Range: 1.00E-3
- Power Rating: 7
from ROHM Semiconductor GmbH
GMR320 series is ideal for current detection under high current circuit. [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Temperature Coefficient: 25
- Tolerance: 1
- Power Rating: 10
from LCSC Electronics Technology (HK) Limited
2W 10m Ω Surface Mount Current Sensing Resistors ±50ppm/ °C ±1% SMD,3.2x6.4mm Current Sense Resistors/Shunt Resistors ROHS [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 1
- Resistance Range: 0.0100
- Temperature Coefficient: 50
from LCSC Electronics Technology (HK) Limited
7W 1m Ω Current Sensing Resistors ±75ppm/ °C ±1% SMD Current Sense Resistors/Shunt Resistors ROHS [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 1
- Resistance Range: 1.00E-3
- Temperature Coefficient: 75
from LCSC Electronics Technology (HK) Limited
2W 1 Ω Surface Mount ±75ppm/ °C ±1% SMD,7x11.6mm Current Sense Resistors/Shunt Resistors ROHS [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: Surface Mount Technology (SMT / SMD)
- Tolerance: 1
- Resistance Range: 1
- Temperature Coefficient: 75