What are the characteristics of shunt resistors?

Diverter resistor is a special type of resistance device mainly used for measuring high currents. It measures and monitors the current by parallel connection in the circuit, allowing most of the current to flow through the shunt. The following are the main characteristics of shunt resistors:
1. Low resistance value
Characteristic description: The shunt resistor needs to have an extremely low resistance value, usually in the milliohm (m Ω) or even micro ohm (μ Ω) range.
Importance: Low resistance can ensure that the voltage drop introduced by the shunt resistor in the circuit is as small as possible, thereby reducing the impact on the circuit and ensuring that most of the current passes through the shunt.
2. High precision
Characteristic description: The resistance value of the shunt resistor needs to have high accuracy, usually with an accuracy level of ± 0.1%, ± 0.5% or higher.
Importance: High precision can ensure the accuracy of current measurement, which is particularly important for applications that require precise control of current.
3. Good temperature stability
Characteristic description: The shunt resistor may generate heat during operation, so it needs to have good temperature stability. The change in resistance with temperature should be as small as possible, and the temperature coefficient (TCR) can usually be controlled within ± 50ppm/℃.
Importance: Good temperature stability can ensure that the resistance changes of the shunt resistor at different temperatures are within an acceptable range, thereby ensuring the accuracy of current measurement.
4. High power processing capability
Characteristic description: Due to the need for shunt resistors to carry high currents, they require high power processing capabilities. Its power capacity can usually reach several watts to tens of watts, or even higher.
Importance: High power processing capability can prevent damage to the shunt resistor due to overheating, ensuring its reliability under long-term high current operation.
5. Quick response
Characteristic description: In certain application scenarios, such as pulse current measurement or transient current monitoring, the shunt resistor needs to be able to quickly respond to changes in current.
Importance: Fast response ensures that the shunt resistor can accurately capture changes in current and provide real-time current measurement data.
6. Good heat dissipation performance
Characteristic description: Diverter resistors usually use special heat dissipation structures or materials to improve their heat dissipation performance.
Importance: Good heat dissipation performance can ensure that the shunt resistor maintains a low temperature under long-term high current operation, thereby extending its service life and improving reliability.
7. Diversified packaging forms
Characteristic description: The shunt resistor provides a variety of packaging forms to adapt to different installation and application requirements. Common packaging forms include plug-in, patch, axial lead, etc.
Importance: Diversified packaging forms can facilitate users to choose suitable shunt resistors according to their actual needs, and simplify circuit design and layout.
8. Wide range of application areas
Characteristic description: Diverter resistors are widely used in fields such as power monitoring, battery management systems, motor control, welding equipment, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Importance: The wide range of applications reflects the importance of shunt resistors in electronic circuits, as well as their versatility and practicality in different industries.