The EP ultra-precision resistor series from Alpha Electronics offers highly stable wire-bondable resistors with a maximum resistance up to 30kΩ. By utilising Alpha’s Bulk Metal® foil resistor technology, they are able to produce resistors with low temperature coefficients and excellent long-term stability.
Wire-bondable ultra-precision resistor
Available in any resistance between 30Ω and 30kΩ
Tight tolerance of ±0.05% for resistances between 100Ω and 30kΩ (±0.1% for resistances between 30Ω and 100Ω)
Tight TCR of ±5 ppm/°C (from -55°C up to +125°C)
Maximum working voltage of 40V
Maximum working current of 0.35A
Power rating of 0.1W (at +70°C)
Maximum rated operating temperature +70°C
Working temperature from -65°C up to +125°C
The Alpha EP resistors offer similar specifications to the Alpha MP and MQ resistor series in terms of power ratings, tolerances and resistance values available but are wire-bondable variants.
These ultra-precision, highly stable resistors are ideal for precision hybrid applications such as A/D hybrids.
The below table gives the full specifications for each resistor model available including the Alpha EP series:
Wire-bondable ultra-precision resistorResistance provided by metal foil meaning the resistor is highly stable with little change over timeMaximum working current of 0.35Amaximum working voltage of 40
This product is available fully compliant to the RoHS EU directive 2011/65/EU.
Alpha Resistor Videos
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.
Alpha EP and EQ Series Technical Library
We are pleased to provide you with a range of additional content including videos, product datasheets, case studies, white papers and application notes for your reference. Please see below for the latest content available:
