Munich – As AI infrastructure, industrial robotics, battery management systems (BMS) and advanced power electronics drive increasing power density and efficiency requirements, accurate current sensing is becoming increasingly critical. According to market analyses, the global current-sense resistor market is projected to expand at a CAGR of approximately 6% through the coming years, reflecting growing demand across battery management, motor control and power conversion applications.
At the same time, engineers are under increasing pressure to improve energy efficiency and reduce system costs while maintaining measurement accuracy in higher power designs. To address these challenges, Panasonic Industry offers its Thick Film Current Sensing Resistors as a cost-effective alternative to conventional metal shunt resistors for selected low- and medium-current sensing applications.
Current sense resistors play a vital role in measuring electrical current and enabling its monitoring and control in applications ranging from AI server power systems and industrial robotics to battery management systems, DC/DC converters, motor drives and advanced power supplies. Accurate current detection and control support improved system performance, system protection and higher energy efficiency.
Traditionally, metal shunt resistors have been widely used for current sensing, particularly in applications requiring very low resistance values and high power-handling capabilities. However, not all current-sensing applications require ultra-low resistance values or the highest power ratings. In low- and medium-current designs with suitable electrical and thermal requirements, thick film current sense resistors can provide the required sensing performance while helping to reduce component cost.
Panasonic’s Thick Film Current Sense Resistors support efficient and accurate current measurement in low- and medium-current applications where low resistance, thermal stability and cost efficiency are key design considerations. By combining advanced resistor materials, optimized trimming technology and different structural designs, including double-sided resistor structures and wide-terminal designs, Panasonic offers resistance values down to 10 mΩ, with stable resistance performance over temperature and TCR values as low as ±75ppm/°C in selected series.
A key challenge in current sensing is balancing low resistance with a low temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), as these requirements typically involve a trade-off. Panasonic addresses this challenge through optimized resistor materials and component structures that support accurate current measurement, low power loss through low resistance values, improved heat dissipation and reduced temperature-induced drift.
For engineers working within the operating range in which thick-film and metal-shunt technologies overlap, Panasonic’s Thick Film Current Sensing Resistors offer several important advantages:
- Potential component cost savings of up to 50% compared with selected comparable metal shunt solutions in suitable applications*
- Improved heat dissipation through optimized component design, such as wide-terminal structures and double-sided resistive element structures, helping to lower operating temperatures and enhance thermal performance.
- Enhanced reliability under thermal cycling, supported by soft termination technology that helps reduce solder-joint stress.
- Supports accurate current sensing with resistance values down to 10mΩ, stable resistance performance over temperature and TCR values as low as ±75ppm/°C in selected series.
- Simplified migration through footprint-compatible designs available in selected case sizes, supporting the replacement of metal shunt resistors within the overlapping operating range.
Panasonic’s Thick Film Current Sense Resistors are already proven in customer applications and are particularly suited to AI infrastructure, robotics, battery management systems, motor control, power supplies and industrial automation systems, where designers seek to optimize both cost and performance.
As designers look for ways to improve efficiency, reduce thermal stress and manage bill-of-materials costs, Panasonic’s Thick Film Current Sensing Resistors offer a practical, cost-effective option for low- and medium-current sensing applications that require accurate measurement, thermal stability and reliable performance.
For more information about Panasonic’s Thick Film Current Sense Resistor portfolio, please visit: Thick Film Shunt Resistor as a Replacement for Metal Shunt Resistor
