Ceramic Resistor Construction

Composition resistors are produced using a mixture of a finely ground insulator and conductor.

Ceramic resistor construction.

The carbon film is a resistive material toward the flow of current in this resistor. The construction of a resistor is shown in the below diagram. This mixture is then compressed into a cylindrical shape. 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.

They are most often wire wound resistors. This resistor consists of two terminals like a normal resistor. Then a thin film of resistive material is deposited this is typically metal oxide or a metal film again the resistor is fired. The end connection electrode bases are then placed onto this and then this is fired to ensure they are robustly held in place.

It is a nickname for the heat resistant ceramic case in which a coil of resistance wire is potted. 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. The ceramic coating combines a high insulation and physical protection with good heat dissipation. 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 majority of the power wirewound resistors have a ceramic core and a ceramic coating to protect the winding. Cement resistor only describes the appearance of common power resistors like that shown above.

Wirewound resistors are very variable in construction and physical appearance. The resistance is controlled based on the ratio of the insulator and conductor mixture. Metal film resistors are produced by depositing a resistive element on a high grade ceramic rod.