Professional Documents
Culture Documents
High Voltage Rsistors
High Voltage Rsistors
Faculty of Engineering
Electrical Power & Machine Dept.
By
Khaled Ibrahim Abdul Aziz
Section 3
Supervised By
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebrahim A. Badran
Abstract
Several different types of resistor exist. When it comes to HV power the
resistor must have high voltage rating to withstand the power; this report
offers the main types of high voltages resistors including the construction,
advantages and disadvantages, and application of each one.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................2
2. Carbon film resistors...........................................................................................................2
3. Metal Oxide resistors...........................................................................................................3
4. Surge metal glaze resistors..................................................................................................3
5. References............................................................................................................................4
1. Introduction
A resistor refers to an element in the architecture of electronics that hinders
the flow of electricity. An increase in the resistance value will require an
increase in the applied voltage to maintain a constant electrical current.
Resistors with high voltage rating are suitable for HV systems and precise
applications. There are many types of high voltage resistors that
manufacturers provide. The main types of these resistors are:
2. Carbon film resistors
Carbon film resistors are a fixed form type resistor. They are constructed out
of a ceramic carrier with a thin pure carbon film around it, which functions
as resistive material.
2.1 Construction
The carbon film resistor is made by placing the
carbon film on a ceramic substrate. The carbon film
blocks some amount of electric current. The ceramic
substrate acts as the insulating material to the heat or
electricity. Hence, the ceramic substrate does not
allow heat through them. Therefore, these resistors
can withstand at higher temperatures without any
damage. Metallic end caps are fitted at both ends of
the resistive material. The leads made of copper are joined at two Figure 1
ends of these metallic end caps. The resistive element of the
carbon film resistor is coated with epoxy for protection. It uses thin
film technology.
2.3 Applications
Typical use for carbon film resistors is in high voltage and temperature
applications. Operating temperatures are up to 15kV with a nominal
temperature of 350°C. Examples are high voltage power supplies, radar, x-
rays and laser
2
3. Metal oxide film resistor
The metal oxide film resistor is a type of fixed resistor, which uses metal
oxide film as the resistive element to limit the flow of electric current to
certain level. The film is constructed by using the tin oxide.
3.1 Construction
3
The metal oxide film resistor is made by coating the
ceramic core with metal oxide such as tin oxide. The
antimony oxide is added to the tin oxide to increase its
resistivity. The resistivity of the metal oxide film is
mainly depending on the amount of antimony oxide
added to the tin oxide.
The film made of tin oxide and antimony oxide acts as
the resistive element to the electric current. Hence,
metal oxide film restricts the electric current to certain
level. The ceramic core acts the insulating material to
the electricity. Hence, the ceramic core does not allow
Figure 2
heat through it. Thus, these resistors can withstand at high
temperatures. They use thick film technology.
3.3 Applications
They are used in applications where stability and uniformity of
characteristics are desired such as automotive electronics and industrial
applications. They are also used as high voltage dividers where precision is
not important, load resistors and bleeder resistors.
4.1 Construction
A metal glazed film is deposited on a high-grade ceramic body. After that
caps are applied to the rods and tinned electrolytic copper wires are welded
to these end caps. The resistors are coated with a light-blue lacquer which
provides electrical, mechanical and climatic protection. The encapsulation is
resistant to all cleaning solvents according to IEC 60068-2-45.
Figure 3
4
4.2 Advantages and disadvantages
High pulse-loading capability, good replacement for carbon composite
resistors, lead (pb)-free solder contacts, and high stability.
4.3 Applications
In overload and high voltage pulse hazard circuits (TV-sets, monitors), high
power electronic ballasts
5. References
[1] P.F Van Oorschot , and J.W. Pustjens. The Resistor Guide. 2nd edition
[2] Shaik, Asif. “Carbon Film Resistor.” Physics and Radio Electronics, www.physics-
and-radio-electronics.com
[3] Panasonic, Metal (Oxide) Film Resistors, 02 sep 2014
[4] Vishay BCcomponents, High Voltage Surge Metal Glaze Leaded Resistor, 18 Jul
2008