Bourns SC2 Surface-Mount Wirewound Resistors

Introduction

The Bourns SC2 series is a family of high-precision, four-terminal surface-mount wirewound resistors. Designed for demanding current-sensing and power-management tasks, these resistors combine low resistance options, high current capability, and excellent measurement stability in a compact SMT-compatible package.

Part Description

Bourns SC2 surface-mount wirewound resistors are precision passive components intended for applications where accurate current measurement or tightly controlled resistance is important. Their four-terminal, or Kelvin, connection helps reduce the influence of PCB trace and solder-joint resistance on low-ohm measurements.

The series supports resistance values ranging from 0.005 Ω to 1 kΩ, making it suitable for both low-value shunt sensing and higher-value precision resistance applications. Depending on the selected part, SC2 resistors can provide tolerances as tight as ±0.005% and temperature coefficients as low as ±5 ppm/°C.

With current handling up to 25 A, the SC2 family is particularly useful in high-current power paths. Its wirewound construction supports stable, repeatable electrical characteristics, while the surface-mount format enables efficient automated assembly.

Key characteristics include:

• Four-terminal Kelvin connection for accurate low-resistance measurement
• Surface-mount wirewound construction
• Resistance range from 0.005 Ω to 1 kΩ
• Precision tolerance options down to ±0.005%
• Temperature coefficient options as low as ±5 ppm/°C
• Current capability up to 25 A
• Suitable for current sensing, power monitoring, and precision control circuits

Applications

Potential applications for the Bourns SC2 resistor series include:

• High-side and low-side current sensing
• Battery charging and battery-management systems
• DC/DC converter current monitoring
• Motor drive current measurement
• Power supply feedback circuits
• Electronic load circuits
• Overcurrent protection systems
• Precision instrumentation
• Industrial power monitoring
• Automotive power distribution systems
• Telecom power supplies
• Energy storage and inverter systems

Industries

The SC2 series can be used across a range of industries, including:

• Automotive and electric vehicles
• Industrial automation
• Renewable energy
• Battery manufacturing and energy storage
• Telecommunications
• Consumer electronics
• Medical electronics
• Test and measurement
• Aerospace and defense
• Data centers and computing infrastructure

Usage Ideas

1. Battery Current Monitor
   Place a low-value SC2 resistor in series with a battery pack and measure the Kelvin-sense voltage with a current-sense amplifier to monitor charging and discharge current.

2. Motor Controller Protection Circuit
   Use an SC2 current-shunt resistor in a DC motor drive to detect excessive current and trigger controller shutdown or current limiting.

3. Precision Programmable Electronic Load
   Incorporate an SC2 resistor into the feedback path of an electronic load to accurately regulate and measure the current drawn from a power supply or battery.

Conclusion

Bourns SC2 surface-mount wirewound resistors provide a precise and robust solution for current sensing and power-related designs. Their Kelvin-terminal configuration, low resistance values, tight tolerances, low temperature coefficients, and capability to handle currents up to 25 A make them well suited to accurate, high-current electronic systems.