Accurate current sensing busbar shunt resistors released

TT Electronics now offers the EBW5216 series of shunt resistors for high current measurements in the hundreds of amps range. With a wide temperature range from –65C to +170C and AEC-Q200 qualification, the series is excellent for various industrial and energy management applications, including welding power supplies, motor drives, battery management, energy metering, and process control. Building on its expertise in current sense resistors engineered to meet demanding accuracy targets, the family is a compact complement to the company's EBW8518 and is busbar-mounted in a 5216 size.

The series is an electron-beam welded resistance element sandwiched between large copper terminals with optional tin plating. It supplies values of 50µOhm and 100µOhm at down to 1% tolerance, 150ppm/C TCR (measurement), 20ppm/C TCR (alloy), and <1µV/C thermal EMF. The device's ultra-low ohmic values decrease power loss, and its low self-heating reduces equipment temperature and improves reliability.

"The electron-beam welded shunt EBW5216 with its four-terminal contacts is the latest addition to TT's growing portfolio of current sense resistors with AEC-Q200 approval. Its low measurement error frees up the designer's error budget – and its compact footprint enables our customers to achieve accurate and surge-proof current measurement in busbar-connected assemblies," said Nick Atkinson, senior product line manager, TT Electronics.

Equivalent to Vishay WSBS5216, the series provides a robust shunt with the option of pressed pin terminals at voltage sense points, permitting through-hole attachment to a PCB. The optional through-hole voltage sense terminations optimise accuracy, allowing complete separation of the current path and voltage sensing. This robust solution is created to withstand high inrush or switching surges, featuring a short-term overload rating of 75W for 5s and up to 120J surge capacity.