What is a thick film resistor?
Thick film resistors are electronic components that are thicker and have higher resistance quality than thin-film resistors. They are usually made from a layer of thick film-resistive material (chromium, nickel, etc.) that is screen-printed, baked and sintered on a ceramic substrate.
Thick film resistors have the advantages of wide resistance range and low manufacturing cost. In addition, in high-frequency applications, thick film resistors have better noise characteristics and stability, as well as higher output power. At the same time, thick film resistors also have the characteristics of high temperature, high humidity and high heat resistance, so they are especially widely used in high temperature or harsh environments.
Thick film resistors are mainly used in current limiting, voltage dividing and circuit calibration in electronic circuits. In some advanced applications in recent years, thick film resistors have also been used in very large-scale integrated circuits (VLSI) technology, such as circuit boards and chip components in embedded systems.
Advantages of thick film resistors
Thick film resistors have the following advantages over thin film resistors:
1. Wide resistance range: The resistance range of thick film resistors is wider than that of thin film resistors, ranging from a few ohms to hundreds of megohms, and different resistance values can be formulated according to user requirements.
2. High output power: Thick film resistors have higher output power and can withstand larger currents and powers, which makes them more reliable and stable in high-power applications.
3. Low manufacturing cost: Thick film resistors have low manufacturing cost, a simple manufacturing process and high production efficiency, so the product price is more economical than thin film resistors.
4. Strong performance in high temperature, high humidity and heat resistance: Thick film resistors perform better in high temperature, high humidity and heat resistance, and have higher stability in long-term use in harsh environments.
5. Good reliability: Thick film resistors have stable performance, their functions are not easy to change under normal use, and their reliability is higher than that of thin film resistors.
Based on the above advantages, thick film resistors are suitable for fields requiring high output power, wide resistance range, high temperature, high humidity and heat resistance, such as automotive electronics, industry, military, aviation, etc.
What are the applications of thick film resistors?
Thick film resistors are mainly used in current limiting, voltage dividing and circuit calibration in electronic circuits. The following are common application scenarios for thick film resistors:
1. Current limiting and voltage dividing applications: Thick film resistors play the role of adjusting the voltage and current in the circuit. They are mainly used to limit, balance and distribute the size of the current to ensure the stability and reliability of the circuit. For example, electronic components in voltage-controlled oscillators require stable resistance values, and sometimes multiple thick film resistors must be connected in a cascade to form a voltage dividing ratio to achieve the goal.
2. Temperature sensor: Some thick film resistors can be used as temperature sensors to a certain extent because although the resistance value is related to the amount of current, its value is also affected by temperature.
3. Timers and other applications: Thick film resistors are widely used in various electronic equipment such as timers, frequency meters and current measuring instruments. It can also be used in various applications such as filters, dampers, voltage dividers, voltage drops and calibration circuits.
4. Embedded systems: In embedded systems, thick film resistors are also widely used in circuit boards, chip components, etc., and are used in control circuits of various embedded systems, such as IoT devices, sensors, etc.
In general, thick film resistors have a wide range of applications, and their advantages are particularly obvious in practical applications. Their use can effectively improve the performance of electronic circuits and achieve higher stability and reliability requirements.
Difference between thick film resistors and thin film resistors
Thick film resistors and thin film resistors are two common types of resistors, and their manufacturing processes and performance characteristics are very different.
1.The manufacturing process of thick film resistors is relatively simple and is part of the production of printed circuit boards (PCB). The manufacturing cost is low, while thin film resistors require high-precision film manufacturing technology and the cost is much higher.
2. Thick film resistors have high output power and can withstand high current and high power, while thin film resistors have relatively low output power and are not suitable for high power applications.
2.Thick film resistors have a wide resistance range, which can reach hundreds of megaohms, and different resistance values can be specified according to customer requirements, while the resistance range of thin film resistors is relatively narrow, generally only between a few hundred ohms and several megaohms.
4. Thick film resistors have good temperature stability, humidity stability, and heat resistance, while thin film resistors are more sensitive to the effects of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and voltage.
To sum up, thick film resistors and thin film resistors each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and their application ranges and purposes are also different. Thick film resistors are widely used in demanding environments and are mainly used in various high-power applications. Thin film resistors are widely used in various precision circuits and circuits requiring high precision.
How to choose thick film resistors?
When purchasing thick film resistors, you need to consider the following factors:
1. Resistance range: Thick film resistors with a wide resistance range can be purchased as needed to select the most suitable resistance value in different application scenarios. Generally speaking, the resistance of thick film resistors ranges from hundreds of ohms to hundreds of megaohms.
2. Resistance accuracy: The appropriate resistance accuracy needs to be selected according to the accuracy requirements of the circuit. Generally speaking, the resistance accuracy of thick film resistors is between ±1% and ±5%.
3. Power: The appropriate power needs to be selected based on the current in the circuit and the power supply voltage. Generally speaking, the power of thick film resistors is between 1/4 watts and 5 watts. The greater the power value, the larger the resistor volume.
4. Temperature coefficient: An appropriate temperature coefficient needs to be selected based on the accuracy requirements of the circuit and the temperature change range in the working environment. Generally speaking, the temperature coefficient of thick film resistors is between ±100ppm/℃ and ±500ppm/℃.
5. Interface type: The appropriate interface type needs to be selected according to the specific application scenario. For example, some are patch type, suitable for SMT process, and some are plug-in type, suitable for DIP process.
6. Other special requirements: such as withstanding driving voltage, current and volume, etc. Some application scenarios and requirements for implementing specific functions also require special attention.
Finally, it is important to note that when purchasing thick film resistors, you need to pay attention to the supplier’s reputation and product quality, purchase products from regular channels, and select appropriate models based on actual needs to ensure that you purchase suitable, reasonably priced, and reliable quality products.
Thick film resistors are electronic components that are thicker and have higher resistance quality than thin-film resistors. They are usually made from a layer of thick film-resistive material (chromium, nickel, etc.) that is screen-printed, baked and sintered on a ceramic substrate.
1. Wide resistance range
2. High output power
3. Low manufacturing cost
4. Strong performance in high temperature, high humidity and heat resistance
5. Good reliability
1. Current limiting and voltage dividing applications
2. Temperature sensor
3. Timers and other applications
4. Embedded systems
