Thick Film Resistors For Specialist Applications
TSEC specialises in design and manufacture of thick film resistors for extreme applications. We offer power, high voltage, and network resistors in low to medium volumes. We also deliver heater resistors for medical and high-reliability applications and obsolete resistor replacements.
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.
Low-volume custom resistor requirements are often of little interest to the major manufacturers. TSEC manufactures a wide range of thick film resistor components in low to medium production volumes for a wide range of applications.
We work with customers to ensure we manufacture a reliable resistor product that works the first time and to specification. This can involve manufacturing samples for analysis and approval before committing to production.
Thick Film Resistor Construction
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 a low cost. The material used for the resistance element and substrate and the design and the manufacturing process all impact electrical performance.
Specialised materials are often required to ensure long-term, stable performance of thick film resistors. TSEC has long-term experience of the best combination of materials and manufacturing processes to address a wide range of applications, combined with excellent relationships with a wide range of material suppliers.
TSEC uses resistor materials from several specialist suppliers including Ferro, ESL, Heraeus and Metech. New materials are regularly approved and added to the portfolio.
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:
- Fewer solder points and therefore increased reliability.
- Matched resistors – both absolute and ratio matching.
- TCR matching.
- Higher operating temperatures.
- Smaller physical dimensions.
- Non-Inductive.
Resistors can be trimmed and matched to suit any application compensating for TCR and/or VCR effects on resistor value by providing an offset resistor value at trim.
Thick film technology is generally lower cost than thin film and bulk metal foil. Although these technologies 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.