CR Series
CRT/CRL Series
CAT/CAY Series
4816P
CHF9838CNF Series
Selecting the Right Resistor for Your Application
Bourns® Resistive Products
1/11 • e/N1064
Introduction
Science and engineering students typically experiment with axial leaded resistors,
learning a color code to identify the resistor value based on the stripes around the resistor
body. In practice, however, axial leaded resistors are overshadowed in board fabrication
by resistors for which the construction, package styles, and materials are targeted for
specic applications.
Bourns oers a wide variety of resistive products that include devices that range from
industry standard size chip resistors to very high frequency (RF) power resistors in order
to meet today’s broad market requirements. ere are many advantages to incorporating
Bourns® resistors into today’s designs including custom values, miniature component
size, higher power ratings, and the highest quality materials and construction. Since it
is far more than just the resistor value that drives the decision of which resistor to use
in a circuit design, Bourns is committed to ensuring designers’ needs are met with the
company’s extensive portfolio of resistive products. In this white paper, the various types
of resistors will be briey explained, and tables are provided as a quick reference for the
available range of resistive products.
Selecting the Right Resistor for Your ApplicationBourns
®
Resistive Products
1/11 • e/N1064
CR Series
CRT/CRL Series
CAT/CAY Series
4816P
CHF9838CNF Series
CRT Series Chip ResistorsTable 1
Overview of Resistor Families
Regardless of the application, a resistor is essentially a current control, voltage drop product.
Additionally, Bourns® components can be designed to withstand unique application challenges like an
overcurrent pulse for a short duration without signicant changes of resistor characteristics. Bourns®
Fixed Resistors can be dened by construction type (thick lm, wirewound, etc.), the way they are
processed, (through-hole, surface mount, etc.) the intended use (current sense, high frequency, etc.),
accuracy, size, power or many other ways. Each resistor does two main things: control current and
control a drop in voltage.
Bourns also has a very broad oering of resistor network (Model 4xxx Series), in a wide selection of
industry standard models. erefore, they can be used with an industry standard footprint for seamless
placement in printed circuit board designs.
Bourns® chip resistors are available in various package sizes, standard values and technologies
which are designed to meet most market requirements including those for specic application and
performance characteristics.
Bourns® CRL series resistors oer total resistance values less than those required by industry standards
providing engineers enhanced circuit design exibility.
When more precision is desired, Bourns® CRT series provides tight tolerance and high precision over
a wide range of resistance values. ese resistors are typically used in current sense applications and
precision circuits, with specic ordering characteristics for size and performance selection.
Model Power
Max.
Voltage
Max.
Overload
TCR
Options
(PPM/°C)
TR Range
Absolute
Tolerance
CRT0402 0.063 W 25 V 50 V
5, 10, 15, 20, 25
10 Ω - 205 kΩ
0.01 % - 1 %
CRT0603 0.1 W 50 V 100 V 10 Ω - 1 M
CRT0805 0.125 W 100 V 200 V 2 Ω - 2 M
CRT1206 .25 W 150 V 300 V 1Ω - 2.5 M