A wirewound resistor is an electrical passive component that limits current flow on an electrical circuit.
As the name indicates, wirewound resistors consist of a resistive wire, with different alloys, wounded around an insulating substrate, to achieve the desired ohmic value, and can be finished with a protective coating, ceramic case or moulding.
For a wirewound to be used on the end application, the resistive wire has to be connected to the terminal leads.

The first and therefore the oldest resistor technology initially used only for precision and power applications, is nowadays used in several applications. The application requirements determines the selection of winding, contacting method and partly also the type of finishing. Wirewound resistors are distributed into some major categories according to their mains characteristics and application.

Safety Wirewound Resistors
Coated through hole wirewound resistors, coated with the flame retardant coating, that ensure safe and silent fusing operation in overload conditions.
A compact moulded SMD version and a SMD Z version are also available.
Through hole safety wirewound resistor
SMD safety wirewound resistor

Precision Wirewound Resistors
Coated through hole wirewound resistors specially used when high accuracy is needed with a narrow tolerance. A precise resistive wire alloy is used to guarantee the resistor precision during application.
A compact moulded SMD version and a SMD Z version are also available.
Through hole precision wirewound resistor
SMD precision wirewound resistors

Pulse Wirewound Resistors
Coated through hole wirewound resistors with special construction to be able to withstand short duration impulse events, up to rated limits. The pulse-capability can be customized according to application.
A compact moulded SMD version and a SMD Z version are also available.
Through hole pulse wirewound resistor
SMD pulse wirewound resistor

Fusible Wirewound Resistors
Moulded and Ceramic case through hole wirewound resistors that have characteristics of fusing without flames or without excess heat generation when the current load jumps suddenly more than required.
A compact moulded SMD version is also available.
Through hole fusible wirewound resistors
SMD fusible wirewound resistor

General Purpose Wirewound Resistors
Coated and moulded through hole wirewound resistors that can be used in various devices and circuits suitable for general applications. Resistors used in circuits with a low cost, a good performance and high component reliability.
A compact moulded SMD version is also available.
Through hole general purpose wirewound resistors
SMD general purpose wirewound resistor

Power Wirewound Resistors
Ceramic Case and Aluminum House wirewound resistors designed to withstand and dissipate large amounts of power.
Power wirewound resistors

For more information about available wirewound resistor, check our “How to choose the right resistor” infographic.