Thick Film Resistors For Specialist Applications

TSEC specialise in tdesign and manufacture of thick film resistors for extreme applications. We design and manufacture power resistors, high voltage resistors and network resistors  in low to medium volume.

Where there is a resistor design or application issue, TSEC provide solutions. Specialists in thick film resistor technology TSEC deliver the advice and support required to ensure the best resistor is specified, designed and manufactured for any given application.

We design and manufacture heater resistors for medical and other high reliability applications and replacements for obsolete resistors.

What Is A Thick Film Resistor?

Thick film resistors are produced by firing a glass and metal oxide paste onto a substrate. The technology delivers generally good performance across all key areas at the lowest cost.

The material used for the resistance element and substrate, the design and the manufacturing and processing method all has an impact on electrical performance. Each of these elements may be impacted, to a greater or lesser extent, by mechanical, electrical or thermal stresses. These stresses can cause changes in resistance values.

Thick Film Resistor Construction

TSEC makes use of a large range of  resistor materials from several specialist suppliers including Ferro, ESL, Heraeus and Metech.  New materials are regularly approved and added to the portfolio. TSEC can cover a range of applications from low ohmic/low voltage to high ohmic/high voltage AC/DC.

Demanding applications often require the use of specialist materials to produce a thick film resistor device that will perform as required over its entire in-service life. TSEC have long term experience of the best combination of materials and manufacturing processes to address a wide range of application combined with excellent relationships with a wide range of material suppliers.

Low volume custom resistor requirements are often of little interest to the major manufacturers. The TSEC manufacturing facility is optimised for low to medium volume of a wide range of custom thick film resistor components. We work with customers to ensure we manufacture a reliable resistor product that works first time and to specification. This may involve the manufacture of samples for approval.

Choosing A Resistor Technology?

Thick film resistor technology is used in a wide variety of applications due to its high resistance per unit area and low cost compared to other resistor technologies.The advantages of thick film resistors are:

·         A solution which requires less solder points and therefore increases reliability.

·         Matched resistors – both absolute as well as ratio matching.

·         TCR matching.

·         Higher operating temperatures.

·         Smaller physical dimensions.

·         Non Inductive.

Resistors may be trimmed and matched to suit any application compensating for TCR and/or VCR effects on resistor value by provision of an offset resistor value at trim.

Thick film technology is generally lower cost than thin film and bulk metal foil. Although these technologies do offer some advantages they do not have the power handling capability of thick film.

Please call us on + 44 (0) 1207 230 728 to discuss your application specific thick film resistor requirements.