The RBD ultra-precision current sense resistor series from Alpha Electronics offers low resistances of between 0.01Ω and 1Ω all in a small 2-terminal flip-chip package. By utilising Alpha’s Bulk Metal® foil resistor technology, they are able to offer low tolerances down to ±0.5% as well as a low TCR of ±10 ppm/°C (between -25°C and +125°C) both within the resistance range of 0.1Ω to 1Ω.
Ultra-precision current sense flip-chip resistor
Available in any resistance between 0.01Ω and 1Ω
2-terminal current sense resistor in a flip-chip surface-mount package
Power rating of 0.5W at +70°C
Tolerances as low as ±0.5% over the resistance range of 0.1Ω to 1Ω
Tight TCR available of ±10 ppm/°C over the resistance range of 0.1Ω to 1Ω
Maximum rated operating temperature +70°C
Temperature range from -65°C up to +155°C
The RBD ultra-precision current sense resistor series offer ultra-precision thanks to Alpha’s Bulk Metal® foil resistor technology, making them suitable for the most demanding precision applications.
Temperature rise of resistor surface can be optimised by using a board made of metal. This keeps the temperature rise very low allowing increased power rating of the parts i.e. 2W at +70°C. Please keep the temperature of board less than +90°C when using glazed epoxy board.
The below table gives the full specifications for each resistor model available including the Alpha RBD series:
* Symbols parenthesized are for part number composition
Alpha Manufacturing and Product Information
Alpha Electronics manufacturing process, adjustment of resistance value construction, and temperature characteristics of resistance information
We are pleased to provide you with a range of videos, please see below for the latest content available:
VIDEOS
Resistor Stability Put to the Test (Demo Video)
In this video, our host Richard Zuratt puts the stability of the three major resistor technologies — foil, thin, and thick film — to the test. Each resistor type is subjected to an overload pulse and its change in resistance value is recorded. Due to the homogeneous nature of the VPG Bulk Metal® Foil resistor, it is the only of the three to experience no change from the high power pulse. This demonstrated performance makes foil resistors the technology of choice for critical applications where long-term stability and survivability are paramount.
Advantages of Using Bulk Metal® Foil Resistors in High-Humidity Environments
All resistors that are based on nichrome, which is a category that includes both thin film devices and Bulk Metal Foil resistors, are susceptible to electro-chemical corrosion or etching when placed in a high humidity environment and powered with a very low wattage. But since the nichrome element of a Bulk Metal Foil resistor is hundreds of times thicker than the element in a thin film device with the same value, it will last much longer under these conditions. This video shows the actual etching process and survival times for thin film and foil nichrome resistive elements as they are tested in 100% humidity conditions.
Comparison Testing of Chip Resistor Technologies Under High Vibration
Surface-mount resistors suffer physical stresses when exposed to high vibration or thermally unstable environments. Failure modes commonly occur in welds, solder joints, connectors, and terminations, ultimately resulting in circuit failure. In this demonstration, vibration-table-mounted boards are subjected to ±2° deflection 25 times per second and monitored for any ΔR > 0.1%. All the chip resistors failed in 2 to 12 minutes (8K to 16K cycles). But the Alpha MPP molded Bulk Metal® Z-Foil resistor with flexible terminations experienced over a million cycles with no change in resistance.
VIDEOS
Resistor Stability Put to the Test (Demo Video
In this video, our host Richard Zuratt puts the stability of the three major resistor technologies — foil, thin, and thick film — to the test. Each resistor type is subjected to an overload pulse and its change in resistance value is recorded. Due to the homogeneous nature of the VPG Bulk Metal® Foil resistor, it is the only of the three to experience no change from the high power pulse. This demonstrated performance makes foil resistors the technology of choice for critical applications where long-term stability and survivability are paramount.
Advantages of Using Bulk Metal® Foil Resistors in High-Humidity Environments
All resistors that are based on nichrome, which is a category that includes both thin film devices and Bulk Metal Foil resistors, are susceptible to electro-chemical corrosion or etching when placed in a high humidity environment and powered with a very low wattage. But since the nichrome element of a Bulk Metal Foil resistor is hundreds of times thicker than the element in a thin film device with the same value, it will last much longer under these conditions. This video shows the actual etching process and survival times for thin film and foil nichrome resistive elements as they are tested in 100% humidity conditions.
Surface-mount resistors suffer physical stresses when exposed to high vibration or thermally unstable environments. Failure modes commonly occur in welds, solder joints, connectors, and terminations, ultimately resulting in circuit failure. In this demonstration, vibration-table-mounted boards are subjected to ±2° deflection 25 times per second and monitored for any ΔR > 0.1%. All the chip resistors failed in 2 to 12 minutes (8K to 16K cycles). But the Alpha MPP molded Bulk Metal® Z-Foil resistor with flexible terminations experienced over a million cycles with no change in resistance.
