Bourns SC2 Surface-Mount Wirewound Resistors

Introduction

The Bourns SC2 series is a family of high-precision, four-terminal surface-mount wirewound resistors. Built for demanding current-sensing and power-control circuits, these resistors combine low resistance values, excellent temperature stability, and high current capability in a compact SMD format.

Part Description

SC2 surface-mount wirewound resistors are designed where accurate current measurement, stable resistance, and robust power handling are important. Their four-terminal, or Kelvin, connection arrangement separates the current-carrying path from the sensing path. This helps minimize errors caused by PCB trace and contact resistance, especially when measuring very low resistance values.

The series supports resistance values from 0.005 Ω to 1 kΩ, making it suitable for both low-ohmic current shunts and precision resistance functions. Available tolerances reach as tight as ±0.005%, while temperature coefficients can be as low as ±5 ppm/°C for applications requiring exceptional thermal stability.

With current capability up to 25 A and an operating temperature range of -55°C to +275°C, the SC2 series is suitable for high-current and harsh-environment electronic designs. Its surface-mount construction also supports automated assembly processes and space-conscious PCB layouts.

Applications

• High-side and low-side current sensing
• Battery charge and discharge monitoring
• Power supply current measurement
• DC-DC converter feedback and protection circuits
• Motor current monitoring
• Precision instrumentation
• Electronic load systems
• Overcurrent detection circuits
• Power management modules
• Current-sharing circuits in parallel power stages
• Automotive battery management systems
• High-accuracy bridge and measurement circuits

Industries

• Automotive and electric vehicles
• Industrial automation
• Renewable energy and solar power
• Energy storage systems
• Test and measurement equipment
• Telecommunications infrastructure
• Aerospace and defense electronics
• Medical electronics
• Consumer power products
• Robotics and motion control
• Data center power systems
• Electric charging infrastructure

Usage Ideas

1. Battery Management Current Sensor
   Use a low-resistance SC2 resistor as a shunt in a battery pack to measure charging and discharging current with a current-sense amplifier.

2. Motor Controller Protection Circuit
   Place an SC2 resistor in the supply path of a DC or BLDC motor controller to monitor motor current and trigger overcurrent protection.

3. Precision Programmable Electronic Load
   Incorporate an SC2 resistor into a feedback-controlled electronic load to accurately measure current drawn from a power supply or battery under test.

Conclusion

Bourns SC2 Surface-Mount Wirewound Resistors provide a precise and durable solution for current sensing and high-performance resistance applications. Their Kelvin-style four-terminal construction, low resistance options, tight tolerances, low TCR, high current capability, and wide temperature range make them well suited for demanding power, industrial, automotive, and measurement designs.