What is a ceramic wirewound resistor?

A ceramic wirewound resistor is a type of fixed resistor that is made by winding a resistive wire around a ceramic core. The ceramic core provides structural support and thermal insulation, while the resistive wire provides the resistance to the flow of current. Ceramic wirewound resistors are known for their high power handling capacity, high accuracy, and low temperature coefficient.

Ceramic wirewound resistors are made by winding a resistive wire, such as nichrome or kanthal, around a ceramic core. The wire is typically coated with a layer of high-temperature ceramic material, such as alumina, to protect it from damage and to help dissipate heat. The wire is then wrapped around the ceramic core, and the ends of the wire are attached to metal terminals, which are used to connect the resistor to the circuit.

Ceramic wirewound resistors are often used in high-power applications, such as power supplies, motor control circuits, and audio amplifiers, where they can handle large amounts of current without overheating or breaking down. They are also commonly used in precision applications, such as measurement and control circuits, where high accuracy and low temperature coefficient are important.

Overall, ceramic wirewound resistors are a reliable and accurate type of resistor that is commonly used in electronic circuits where high power handling and precision are required.