A wire wound resistor is a precision resistor made by winding a resistive wire (typically nichrome or similar alloy) around an insulating core. It offers high power handling, low noise, and excellent stability, making it ideal for high-current and high-precision applications.
- Construction: Resistive wire wound on a ceramic or fibreglass core
- Resistance Range: Typically from milliohms up to several kilo-ohms
- Power Rating: From 1W to over 100W, depending on size and cooling
- Tolerance: Commonly ±1%, ±2%, or ±5%
- Temperature Stability: Excellent thermal performance and low temperature coefficient
- High Surge Capability: Can withstand short-duration overloads
- Low Noise: Minimal electrical noise compared to carbon or film resistors
- Enclosed or Open Type: Available in cemented (ceramic) enclosures for protection
- Mounting Options: Axial, radial, or chassis-mounted for higher wattages
