When it comes to an electrical appliance, different electric appliances consume different amounts of power. There are some which consume the direct current type of power while others consume the alternating current type of power. However, regardless of the power type consumed, the use of power resistors is important because it helps protect the appliance from electrical shock and short.
In fact, it is what prevents the appliance from being damaged by excess power. There are two types of power resistors that are used on appliances. That is high and low power resistors. Low power resistors are normally less than a watt lower than the actual power consumed by the appliance. On the other hand, a high power resistor is 1 watt and above greater than the actual power consumed by the appliance. Buy the best wirewound resistor or check out these current shunt resistors.
In most cases, the power in these resistors is measured in terms of kilowatt range. Therefore, when looking for the appropriate power resistor for your appliance, there are some few things that you need to check. First, you need to understand the power rating and tolerance. The greater the power rating, the higher the load the resistor can withstand.
On the other hand, the more the resistor is tolerant of temperatures and current changes the more effective it is. Voltage rating and temperature coefficient is another area you need to address when looking for a wirewound power resistor. Other features or properties that you need to check when selecting a power resistor include the frequency response, noise, and stability.
For instance, a current sense resistor should be more stable in order to resist abnormal power movement and withstand high temperatures. Some of the common high power resistors include wirewound, cement, film, carbon composite and nichrome wire resistors among others. When it comes to wirewound resistors, a nickel-chrome alloy wire is used and wrapped around a solid material.
These resistors are tolerant of up to five to ten percent in terms of entire power consumed in terms of kilowatt range. They also have power ratings of about to 50 watts. On the other hand, a carbon film resistor is made of wrapping a carbon compound on top of an insulating rod. The rod is then cut which forms a long narrow resistive path.
The length of the path is what determines the resistance of the device. This type of resistor has a tolerance of about 1 percent. On the other hand, it has a power rating of about 5 watts. It is also a stable resistor and can withstand different power changes without getting damaged.
