Thermal Power Testing Methodology for Chip, Flange, and PCB-Mounted Resistors

Resistors can be used to dissipate excess power, act as a system’s safety mechanism, provide a matching device, and more. Resistors convert electrical energy into heat energy through the use of a resistive element. They’re usually mounted to a heatsink, a flange, or directly on a PCB.

There are two primary considerations for validating a resistor chip design: temperatures/heat generated in the application and the heat’s effect on the resistor’s materials, and the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) mismatches between the resistor’s materials.  For detailed information on these design considerations, download the application note.

Rev. A