Element / Shunt

Overview

Element/Shunt Resistors

Shunt resistors are very low resistance devices used primarily to measure the flow of current in a circuit. The Shunt resistor should be capable of allowing large currents to flow through it. Read More

Since large current flow generates a lot of heat, it is necessary that shunt resistors should have very low temperature coefficient. Shunt resistors are manufactured from materials like Manganin whose temperature coefficient is very close to zero.

Many of the other resistor construction methodologies (like film based resistors and composite resistors) have a higher temperature coefficient than shunt resistors. Therefore, they cannot be used in applications where current measurement is the goal.

Shunt resistors tuned for one instrument and range should not be interchanged with other instruments as the resistor length and range are tuned for specific devices. Interchanging Shunt between devices would lead to inaccurate current measurements.

Current exceeding 50 Amperes would require an external shunt resistor. The resistance value of Shunt resistors can range from a few milli-ohms to a few ohms.

Shunt resistors are therefore used in ammeters for accurate current measurements. Shunt resistance and the granularity of the ammeter will have to be carefully selected based on the values of the power source. The terminal ends of shunt resistors are made from thick copper and are attached to the ammeter leads and terminals.

Shunt resistors are also used in:

In laptops and mobile phones, the estimate of how long the battery charge will last depends on the number of applications running at any given time. By using shunt resistors to measure the amount of current drawn by the device in real time, the duration of battery charge is indicated to the user.

Why KWK Shunt Resistors?

KWK produces shunt resistors with extremely low values while still maintaining resistive stability.

KWK Current sensing resistors are available in both two terminal and four terminal configurations to enable efficient and accurate current measurements.

KWK offers resistors with diverse construction and mounting options to suit customer specific requirements. For Custom Resistor Solutions, contact us.

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