Ceramic Resistor Construction

The construction of a resistor is shown in the below diagram.

Ceramic resistor construction.

Wirewound resistors are very variable in construction and physical appearance. The construction of ceramic composition resistors concentrates nearly all of the component mass into the resistive element resulting in a rugged device with high energy capacity. This mixture is then compressed into a cylindrical shape. The construction of a carbon film resistor can be done by placing the carbon layer on a substrate of a ceramic.

Metal film resistors are produced by depositing a resistive element on a high grade ceramic rod. They are most often wire wound resistors. Their resistive elements are commonly lengths of wire usually an alloy such as nichrome nickel chromium or manganin copper nickel manganese wrapped around a ceramic or glass fibre rod or tube and coated in an insulating flameproof cement film. However even this description is out of date.

Cement resistor only describes the appearance of common power resistors like that shown above. The majority of the power wirewound resistors have a ceramic core and a ceramic coating to protect the winding. The ceramic coating combines a high insulation and physical protection with good heat dissipation. Typical resistance values are in the range from 1ω til 10 kω.

It is a nickname for the heat resistant ceramic case in which a coil of resistance wire is potted. The resistance is controlled based on the ratio of the insulator and conductor mixture. The resistor is made by taking an alumina or ceramic substrate. Terminals are attached and the insulation coating is applied to the outside.

Tcr varies from 75 till 200 ppm c. The end connection electrode bases are then placed onto this and then this is fired to ensure they are robustly held in place. This resistor consists of two terminals like a normal resistor.