Does bare copper resistance belong to alloy resistance? An article for you to analyze（Recommended Bare Copper Resistors - Alloy Brand）
In the field of electronic components, there are many types of resistors that often confuse people. Many practitioners have doubts about whether bare copper sheet resistors belong to alloy resistors. This article will delve into the differences and connections between the two, providing you with a clear answer.
Core conclusion: Bare copper sheet resistors do not belong to alloy resistors.
Although they may have some similarities in appearance and belong to high-power, low resistance resistor types, there are fundamental differences in their core manufacturing materials and characteristics.
From the perspective of materials: the difference between pure copper and alloys
Bare copper sheet resistor: As the name suggests, its core conductive material is pure copper. It is usually stamped and cut directly from high-purity copper strips or sheets, and the surface is often treated with tin plating or bare copper. Copper is a single metallic element known for its excellent conductivity. Therefore, the resistivity of bare copper sheet resistors is extremely low, and their main function is to carry out high current sampling and path connection. Their resistance value is achieved by precisely controlling the length, cross-sectional area, and purity of the material.
Alloy resistor: Its core conductive material is an alloy, which is a material formed by the fusion of two or more metals (or metal and non-metal). Common alloy resistance materials include manganese copper alloy, constantan, nickel chromium alloy, etc. The characteristics of these alloy materials are high electrical resistivity and very stable temperature coefficient. By adjusting the composition ratio of the alloy, the resistance value, temperature coefficient, and long-term stability of the resistor can be precisely controlled.
Application scenarios from the perspective of structure and performance
Bare copper sheet resistor: Due to its material being pure copper with low resistivity, achieving a relatively accurate resistance value (especially at the milliohm level) requires very precise machining of the copper sheet size. Its advantages lie in relatively low cost and strong overcurrent capability. It is commonly used in products such as battery protection boards, power modules, inverters, etc. as a carrier and sampler for high currents.
Alloy resistance: Alloy materials themselves have high electrical resistivity, so they can achieve more accurate and higher resistance values with smaller volumes. The biggest advantage of alloy resistors lies in their excellent performance, such as extremely low temperature coefficient, high stability under long-term use, and low parasitic inductance. Therefore, it is often used in applications that require extremely high precision and stability, such as current detection in precision instruments, automotive electronics, medical equipment, and high-end testing equipment.
summary
Simply put, we can understand bare copper resistors as using pure metal (copper) to achieve low resistance through precise structures, while alloy resistors utilize the inherent high resistivity and stability characteristics of alloy materials to achieve precise resistance.
So, when you need to make a choice in a project, if your application scenario is cost sensitive and requires carrying a large amount of current, and the requirements for resistance accuracy and temperature drift are not extremely strict, bare copper resistors are an economical choice. On the contrary, if your circuit has high requirements for the accuracy, stability, and temperature adaptability of current detection, then alloy resistors with superior performance are a more suitable choice.
I hope the above analysis can help you thoroughly distinguish between bare copper resistance and alloy resistance, providing clear reference for your design and selection work.