VCS101, VCS103, VCS401
Vishay Foil Resistors
High Precision Bulk Metal
®
Foil Power Current Sensing Resistors
with 3 A and 15 A Maximum Current, TCR to ± 15 ppm/°C
from 0.005
FEATURES
NEW
Temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR):
± 20 ppm/°C (available to ± 15 ppm/°C)
Resistance tolerance: to ± 0.1 %
Resistance range: 0.005
to 0.25
(for
higher or
lower values please contact us)
Power rating: to 1.5 W at + 25 °C (free air)
Maximum current: to 15 A
Maximum operating temperature: + 175 °C
Load life stability: ± 0.5 % at 25 °C, 2000 h at rated power
Vishay Foil Resistors are not restricted to standard values;
specific “as required” values can be supplied at no extra cost or
delivery (e.g. 0R123 vs. 0R1)
Non-inductive, non-capacitive design
4 leads for Kelvin connection
Rise time: 1.0 ns effectively no ringing
Thermal EMF: 0.05 µV/°C typical
Voltage coefficient: < 0.1 ppm/V
Non-inductive: 0.08 µH
Terminal finish: lead (Pb)-free or tin/lead alloy*
Prototype quantities available in just 5 working days or sooner.
For more information, please contact
foil@vishaypg.com
For better performances, see VCS201, VCS202 and VCS301,
VCS302 datasheets or contact application engineering
Real life resistors exhibit two types of reversible changes:
1. When they are cooled or heated by a changing ambient
temperature, and
2. By self-heating due to the power they have to dissipate (Joule
effect).
When a high precision is required, these two effects induce a change
in the resistive element's temperature,
T
a
due to ambient and
T
sh
due to self heating, both of which must be considered.
The ambient temperature changes slowly, and all parts of a resistor
follow uniformly the change of the ambient temperature, but the effect
of the dissipated power is different. The temperature of the resistive
element - the active part of the resistor - will change rapidly with the
change of the intensity of current. The power it has to dissipate will
change proportionally to the square of the current and a rapid increase
in current will cause a sudden increase in the temperature of the
resistive element and in the heat that must be dissipated to the
ambient air. These two effects of resistance changes are quantified by
TCR - Temperature Coefficient of Resistance and by PCR - Power
Coefficient of Resistance (called also “Power TCR”).
Our applications engineering department is prepared to advise
and to make recommendations. For non-standard technical
requirements and special applications, please contact us.
INTRODUCTION
Model VCS101, VCS103 and VCS401 resistors are available in 2
configurations. This Bulk Metal
®
resistor can serve as a low ohm,
high power resistive shunt or as a medium power current sensing
resistor. Resistors are non-insulated.
The art of current sensing calls for a variety of solutions based on
application requirements. Current sensing is best achieved with a
Kelvin connection, which removes the unwanted influences of lead
resistance and lead sensitivity to temperature. Other requirements
such as high stability and short thermal stabilization time when the
power changes may dictate a special resistor design.
High-precision resistors used for current sensing are usually low
ohmic value devices suitable for four terminal connections. Two
terminals, called “current terminals”, are connected to conduct
electrical current through the resistor, while voltage drop VS is
measured on the other two terminals, called “sense” or “voltage
drop” terminals. According to Ohm’s law, the sensed voltage drop
VS divided by the known resistance RS gives the sensed current
IS. The accuracy of measurement depends on the stability of ohmic
resistance RS between the nodes, i.e. the points of connection of
the sense leads. Since the voltage leads feed into an “infinite”
resistance circuit, there is no current flowing through the voltage
terminals and, therefore, no IR drop in the voltage sense leads.
Thus, the four-terminal system eliminates the voltage drop errors
originated in the leads when the voltage terminations are
connected close to the resistance element (excluding significant
portions of the leads that carry the current).
This arrangement, called a “Kelvin connection”, reduces, especially
for low ohmic resistance values, a measurement error due to the
resistance of the lead wires and the solder joints as the sensing is
performed inside the resistor, in or close to the active resistive bulk
metal foil element. Of the commonly used methods of measuring the
magnitude of electrical current, this current sensing resistor method
provides the most precise measurement. According to Ohm’s law,
V = IR, the voltage drop measured across a resistor is proportional to
the current flowing through the resistor. With the known and stable
value of the resistance R, the voltage drop sensed on the resistor
indicates the intensity of the current flowing through it.
Assuming an ideal current sense resistor that doesn’t change
its resistance value when there is a change in the magnitude
of the current or a change in environmental conditions, like
the ambient temperature or self heating, the measured voltage
drop will yield a precise value of the current: I = V/R. But with
a real-life resistor, such as a metal film resistor or a manganin
bar, a change in current intensity (and in the dissipated power)
will cause a change in the resistor's value which will involve a
thermal transient period taking a few seconds or longer to
stabilize. Therefore, the key to a fast and precise measurement
of current is the use of a real life current sensing resistor
which approaches, as closely as possible, an ideal resistor.
That is, a resistor that is not influenced by changes in the
magnitude of the current flowing through it nor by changes in
ambient temperature or any other environmental condition.
* Pb containing terminations are not RoHS compliant, exemptions may apply
Document Number: 63016
Revision: 5-Jun-12
For any questions, contact:
foil@vishaypg.com
www.vishayfoilresistors.com
1
VCS101, VCS103, VCS401
Vishay Foil Resistors
FIGURE 1 - DIMENSIONS AND SCHEMATIC
Model VCS101 Current Sensor
W
H
I
Leads
0.032 Diameter
Solder Coated
Copper
(#20 AWG)
0.500 Min.
I1
0.520
(1)
± 0.020
0.200 ± 0.030
0.920 ± 0.020
0.040 Diameter Lead
Solder Coated Copper
(#18 AWG)
0.630
0.032 Diameter Lead
Solder Coated Copper
(#20 AWG)
Leads
0.040 x 0.005
Tin Plated Copper
E1
V
E2
I2
R
I
Model VCS401 Current Shunt
0.520 ± 0.020
W
I1
I2
H
0.500 Min.
Leads
0.040 x 0.005
Tin Plated
Copper
Model VCS103 Current Sensor
W
H
0.500 Min.
I1
E1
E2
I2
E
1
E
2
0.689 ± 0.020
0.200 ± 0.030
Note
(1) Exception: for values of 0.005 Ω to 0.007 Ω the dimension is 9mm (0.360") minimum.
1.083 ± 0.020
TABLE 1 - CHARACTERISTICS AND DIMENSIONS
MODEL
NUMBER
VCS101
VCS401
VCS103
RESISTANCE
RANGE
()
0.005 to 0.01
0.01 to 0.05
0.05 to 0.2
0.005 to 0.01
0.01 to 0.05
0.05 to 0.25
TIGHTEST
RESISTANCE
TOLERANCE (%)
±1
± 0.5
± 0.1
±1
± 0.5
± 0.1
(1)
POWER RATING
at + 25 °C
1W
1W
1.5 W
MAXIMUM
CURRENT
15 A
3A
15 A
H
W
H
W
H
W
DIMENSIONS
INCHES
0.130
0.080
0.130
0.080
0.190
0.080
(mm)
(3.30)
(2.03)
(3.30)
(2.03)
(4.83)
(2.03)
Note
(1)
Tighter performances are available, please contact our application engineering department
TABLE 2 - VCS101, VCS103 AND VCS401 PERFORMANCE - MIL-PRF-49465
TEST OR CONDITION
Maximum Ambient Temperature at Rated Power
Maximum Ambient Temperature at Zero Power
Temperature Coefficient
Thermal Shock, 5 x (- 65 °C to + 125 °C)
Short Time Overload, 5 x P
nom
; 5 s
Terminal Strength
High Temperature Exposure, 2000 h at + 175 °C
Moisture Resistance
Low Temperature Storage, 24 h at - 65 °C
Shock (Specified Pulse)
Vibration (High Frequency)
Life (Rated Power, + 25 °C, 2000 h)
Resistance Tolerance
Note
(2)
R’s
plus additional 0.0005
for measurement error
± 0.02 %
± 0.05 %
± 0.05 %
± 0.05 %
± 0.05 %
± 0.02 %
± 0.05 %
± 0.05 %
± 0.5 %
TYPICAL
LIMITS
+ 25 °C
+ 175 °C
See table 3
(1)(2)
VCS101, VCS103 AND VCS401
MAXIMUM
LIMITS
± 0.05 %
± 0.5 %
± 0.1 %
± 1.0 %
± 0.1 %
± 0.05 %
± 0.1 %
± 0.1 %
± 3.0 %
± 0.1 %, ± 0.5%, ± 1 %, ± 3 %, ± 5 %, ± 10 %
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For any questions, contact:
foil@vishaypg.com
Document Number: 63016
Revision: 5-Jun-12
VCS101, VCS103, VCS401
Vishay Foil Resistors
TABLE 3 - TCR SPECIFICATION
(- 55 °C to + 125 °C, + 25 °C Ref.)
VALUE
0.005
to
0.01
> 0.01
to
0.05
> 0.05
to 0.25
TC (ppm/°C)
(1)
± 90
± 30
± 20
FIGURE 2 - POWER DERATING CURVE
- 55 °C
+ 25 °C
+ 175 °C
Rated Power (%)
100
75
50
25
- 50
0
+ 50 + 100 + 150 + 200 + 250
Ambient Temperature (°C)
Note
• Further derating not necessary.
TABLE 4 - GLOBAL PART NUMBER INFORMATION
DENOTES PRECISION
Y
VALUE
R
=
(1)
NEW GLOBAL PART NUMBER: Y09300R01000F9L (preferred part number format)
CHARACTERISTICS
0
= standard
9
= lead (Pb)-free
1 to 999
= custom
Y
0
9
3
0
0
R
0
1
0
0
0
F
9
L
PRODUCT CODE
0930
= VCS101
0940
= VCS103
0945
= VCS401
RESISTANCE TOLERANCE
B
= ± 0.1 %
D
= ± 0.5 %
F
= ± 1.0 %
G
= ± 2.0 %
J
= ± 5.0 %
PACKAGING
L
= bulk pack
FOR EXAMPLE: ABOVE GLOBAL ORDER Y0930 0R01000 F 9 L:
TYPE: VCS101
VALUE: 0.01
ABSOLUTE TOLERANCE: ± 1.0 %
TERMINATION: lead (Pb)-free
PACKAGING: bulk pack
HISTORICAL PART NUMBER: VCS101T 0R0100 F B (will continue to be used)
VCS101
MODEL
VCS101
VCS103
VCS401
T
TERMINATION
T
= lead (Pb)-free
None = tin/lead alloy
0R0100
OHMIC VALUE
0.01
F
RESISTANCE
TOLERANCE
B
= ± 0.1 %
D
= ± 0.5 %
F
= ± 1.0 %
G
= ± 2.0 %
J
= ± 5.0 %
B
PACKAGING
B
= bulk pack
Note
(1)
For non-standard requests, please contact application engineering.
For any questions, contact:
foil@vishaypg.com
www.vishayfoilresistors.com
3
Document Number: 63016
Revision: 5-Jun-12
Legal Disclaimer Notice
Vishay Precision Group
Disclaimer
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behalf (collectively, “Vishay Precision Group”), disclaim any and all liability for any errors, inaccuracies or
incompleteness contained herein or in any other disclosure relating to any product.
The product specifications do not expand or otherwise modify Vishay Precision Group’s terms and
conditions of purchase, including but not limited to, the warranty expressed therein.
Vishay Precision Group makes no warranty, representation or guarantee other than as set forth in the terms
and conditions of purchase.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Vishay Precision
Group disclaims (i) any and all liability arising out of the application or use of any product, (ii) any and
all liability, including without limitation special, consequential or incidental damages, and (iii) any and
all implied warranties, including warranties of fitness for particular purpose, non-infringement and
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Information provided in datasheets and/or specifications may vary from actual results in different
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particular product with the properties described in the product specification is suitable for use in a particular
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Document No.: 63999
Revision: 27-Apr-2011
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