CARBON FILM RESISTOR

 What is a carbon film resistor?

 Advantages and drawbacks
 Carbon film resistor applications
 Manufacturing
What is a carbon film resistor?
Carbon film resistors are a fixed form type resistor. They are constructed out of a ceramic carrier with a thin
pure carbon film around it, that functions as resistive material.

Advantages and drawbacks

Carbon film resistors are a significant improvement on carbon composition. However, in comparison to metal
film and metal oxide film, the commercially available range steadily decreases. Metal and oxide film are not
more expensive to produce, and have overall better properties.

Carbon film resistor applications

Typical use for carbon film resistors is in high voltage and temperature applications. Operating temperatures
are up to 15kV with a nominal temperature of 350°C. Examples are high voltage power supplies, radar, x-rays
and laser.

Manufacturing
Carbon film resistors are made with a deposition process. At high temperature and under a high pressure, a
ceramic carrier is held in hydrocarbon gas. The gas (methane or benzene) is cracked at a temperature of
1000°C. The crystalline carbon is pyrolytically deposited on the ceramic substrate. Because of the precise
distribution of the pure graphite without binding, these carbon resistors have a low noise. The desired
resistance value can be obtained by choosing the right layer thickness, and by cutting a spiral shape in the
carbon layer. The helical cut in the film increases the length of the current path. By decreasing the pitch of the
helix, the length of the resistive path increases, and therewith the resistance value increases. Furthermore, by
fine tuning the cutting of the spiral the resistor can have a higher accuracy of resistance value. Typical
tolerance values for carbon film resistors are 2, 5, 10 and 20%.

Because of the use of pure carbon, the carbon film resistor has a higher negative temperature coefficient than
carbon composition. The resistive temperature coefficient lies between 2.5×10^-4 Ω/°C and -8×10^-4 Ω/°C.
Also this type of resistor is protected against chemical influences with a silicone coating. This type of resistor
is widely used in electronics. Therefore it is important to note that the small resistors have a capacity of
approximately 0.5 pF. Self induction is around 0.01 μH for uncut resistors and up to several μH for spiral cut
resistors. These resistors are available in values between 1Ω – 10’000 MΩ and have a power rating of 1/16, ⅛,
¼, ½, 1 or 2 watt.

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