Vishay Intertechnology Inc. announced a new surface-mount Power Metal Strip® resistor featuring a wide side terminal construction that yields a high 2 W power rating in the compact 1020 case size. The WSL1020 combines its high power-to-footprint-size ratio with extremely low resistance values down to 0.003 Ω and stable resistance tolerances to 0.5 percent.
The advanced construction of the Vishay Dale WSL1020 resistor incorporates a solid metal nickel-chrome alloy resistive element with low TCR (< 20 ppm/°C). This results in a high-power resistor with an operating temperature range of - 65° to + 170°C while maintaining the superior electrical characteristics of the Power Metal Strip construction.
The WSL1020 measures 0.200 in. by 0.100 in. [5.08 mm by 2.54 mm] with a height profile of 0.025 in [0.635 mm]. The device's small size allows for the design of high-power circuits featuring the smallest possible resistor for higher-performance end products. Furthermore, the WSL1020's high-temperature capability allows the use of the resistor in harsh high-temperature environments without sacrificing power rating or electrical performance.
The resistor is ideal for all types of current sensing and pulse applications, including switching and linear power supplies, instruments, power amplifiers, and shunts in automotive electronic controls such as engine, brushless DC motors, anti-lock brakes, climate, and battery management controls; industrial controls, including down-hole test/measurement equipment for oil/gas well drilling; inverter controls for HVAC systems; and DC/DC converters for servers, VRMs for laptops, and Li-Ion battery safety and management.
Like all Power Metal Strip resistors, the device released today features an all-welded construction that contributes to its superior electrical performance. A proprietary processing technique produces extremely low resistance values ranging from 0.003 Ω to 0.006 Ω, with tight tolerances of 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 percent. The WSL1020 provides very low inductance of 0.5 ηH to 5 ηH, an excellent response to 50 MHz, and low thermal EMF (< 3 μV/°C). The lead (Pb)-free, RoHS-compliant device conforms to Vishay "Green" standards.
Samples and production quantities of the new resistor are available now, with a lead time of 12 to 16 weeks for larger orders. Pricing varies by application, volume, and region. For example, a 10 mΩ device in greater than 100,000-piece quantities is $0.155.