Through Hole Shunt Resistors
Last Updated: January 16, 2025 Reviewed by: Jon Lowy, consulting engineer
Description
Through Hole Shunt Resistors are low resistance, passive electronic devices designed to measure alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) by the voltage drop those currents create across the resistance. They are connected in parallel with an instrument or component to divert electrical current, providing an alternate path for current in case of failure and reducing input sensitivity from the input line to ground .
Working Principle
Through Hole Shunt Resistors operate based on Ohm's Law, where the voltage drop across the resistor is proportional to the current flowing through it. By measuring this voltage drop, the current can be accurately determined. These resistors are useful because they offer a precise method for current measurement with minimal error, which is critical in applications requiring high accuracy. The low resistance values, typically ranging from 100 µO to 500 mO, ensure that the voltage drop is small, minimizing power loss and heat generation .
Applications
Through Hole Shunt Resistors are used in various applications where precise current measurement is essential. Specific examples include:
- Electric Vehicles: Used in high-voltage battery applications to monitor current flow and ensure safe operation .
- White Goods: Employed in household appliances to manage and measure electrical currents, ensuring efficient operation and safety .
Advantages over other Shunt Resistors
Through Hole Shunt Resistors offer several advantages over other types of shunt resistors:
- Durability and Reliability: They are often more robust and can handle higher power ratings, making them suitable for demanding applications.
- Precision: They provide high precision in current measurement, which is crucial for applications like electric vehicles where accurate monitoring is necessary .
- Thermal Management: Their design often includes features that aid in heat dissipation, reducing the risk of overheating and improving longevity .
Limitations
Despite their advantages, Through Hole Shunt Resistors have some limitations:
- Size: They are generally larger than surface mount resistors, which can be a drawback in applications where space is limited.
- Thermal Demands: Initial selection often ignores thermal demands, which can negatively affect performance if not properly managed .
Considerations
When selecting Through Hole Shunt Resistors, several factors should be considered:
- Initial Costs: These resistors can range in price based on their value, temperature coefficient, power rating, and size. Higher precision and power ratings typically increase the cost .
- Operating Expense: Due to their durability and reliability, operating expenses can be lower compared to other types of resistors.
- Durability: They are designed to withstand high power and thermal loads, making them suitable for long-term use in demanding environments.
- Accuracy: High precision in current measurement is a key feature, making them ideal for applications requiring accurate monitoring.
- Replacement and Maintenance Costs: These resistors generally have low maintenance costs due to their robust design and reliability .
from Isabellenhutte USA
ISA-Plan ® four terminal thru-hole resistor. Heat sink mountable. For use in Measurement equipment, Reference resistors in laboratories, Current source and Laboratory power supply. Features. Up to 10 W permanent power. Continuous current load up to 100 A (1 mOhm). Very high precision of... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole; 4618/3825
- Tolerance: 0.1000 to 1
- Resistance Range: 1.00E-3 to 100
- Temperature Coefficient: 30
from KOA Speer Electronics, Inc.
Features. Extremely low resistance and high precision tolerance. Low T.C.R. achieved ( ±50ppm/ °C). Flameproof UL 94 V-0. Products with lead-free terminations meet EU RoHS and China RoHS requirements [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole; Axial Leads
- Tolerance: 0.5000 to 1
- Resistance Range: 0.0050 to 0.0500
- Temperature Coefficient: 50
from Isabellenhutte USA
ISA-Plan ® four terminal resistor. Heat sink mountable for use in Power modules, frequency converters and Switch mode power supplies. Features. 3 W permanent power / 10 W with heatsink provided. Four terminal connection of the resistor. High pulse power rating 2 Joules for 10 ms. Excellent long... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole; 2317
- Tolerance: 0.1000 to 1
- Resistance Range: 5.00E-4 to 1
- Temperature Coefficient: 30 to 75
from KOA Speer Electronics, Inc.
Features. Ultra low resistance, suitable for large current sensing. Excellent T.C.R. achieved (50 ±25 x 10-6/K). Correct electric current detection by a voltage pin is possible. Bus bar and cable can be screwed on. 2D code means individual resistance information. Products meet EU RoHS... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole; Axial Leads; 4015M ~ 8022M
- Tolerance: 5
- Resistance Range: 5.00E-5 to 2.00E-4
- Temperature Coefficient: 5025 to 7550
from Isabellenhutte USA
ISA-Plan ® two terminal TO247 style resistor. Heat sink mountable for use in Power modules, frequency converters and Switch mode power supplies. Features. Up to 10 Watts permanent power. Ultra-low resistance values. Very high pulse power rating. Very good long-term stability. Low self-heating [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole; TO-247
- Tolerance: 0.1000 to 5
- Resistance Range: 0.0036 to 100
- Temperature Coefficient: 50
from KOA Speer Electronics, Inc.
Features. Correcter electric current detection is possible with 4-terminal construction. Excellent T.C.R. achieved ( ±50x10-6/K). Ultra low resistance, suitable for large current sensing. Automatic mounting machines are applicable. Suitable for reflow soldering (Not suitable for flow... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole; Axial Leads; 1216
- Tolerance: 1
- Resistance Range: 5.00E-4 to 1.00E-3
- Temperature Coefficient: 50
from KOA Speer Electronics, Inc.
Features. Ultra low resistance, suitable for large current sensing. Automatic mounting machines are applicable. Suitable for reflow soldering (Not suitable for flow soldering). Products meet EU RoHS requirements. AEC-Q200 Tested [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole; Axial Leads; 2512; 2512
- Tolerance: 1
- Resistance Range: 2.00E-4 to 5.00E-4
- Temperature Coefficient: 115 to 250100
from Campbell Scientific, Inc.
The CURS100 converts a current signal output by a sensor or output device (e.g., 4 to 20 mA) to a voltage that can be measured by a datalogger. The 100 ohm resistor used for the current shunt allows currents up to 25 mA to be read on a ±2500 mV range (CR10, CR10X, CR510, CR500) and currents... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole
- Tolerance: 0.0100
- Resistance Range: 100
- Temperature Coefficient: 0.8000
from RCD Components, Inc.
JUMPER CIRCUITS. Custom designed to customer requirement. 2 amp rating is standard (3, 5, 10 amp available). 0.02 Ω maximum resistance (0.005 Ω available). Eliminates costly DIP switches in permanently-fixed circuits. Available on exclusive SWIFT TM delivery program. Available in 6, 8,... [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole
- Current Rating: 2 to 10
- Resistance Range: 0.0200
- Standards and Certifications: RoHS
from EBG RESISTORS LLC
The resistor family line, PCS, utilizes EBG`s state of the art technology to provide a highly reliable resistor with a non inductive design. This makes the PCS resistor ideal for many current monitoring and controls applications. [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole; Radial Leads
- Tolerance: 1 to 5
- Resistance Range: 1.00E-3 to 1
- Temperature Coefficient: 60
from Riedon, Inc.
• Resistances from 0.002Ohm to 50Ohms. • Power Rating to 30Watt. • Resistance Tolerances to ±0.25%. • TCR to ±15ppm/K. • Load Stability to 0.1%. • TO-218 (TO-247) Housing [See More]
- Mounting / Packaging: ThroughHole
- Tolerance: 0.2500 to 5
- Resistance Range: 0.0020 to 50
- Temperature Coefficient: 15
from Riedon, Inc.
Resistances from 0.002Ohm to 50 Ohms. Power Rating to 15 Watt. 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: ThroughHole
- Tolerance: 0.5000 to 5
- Resistance Range: 0.0020 to 50
- Temperature Coefficient: 15 to 50