SMD Resistors / Resistor network

Basic SMD resistor construction

SMD resistors are rectangular in shape. They have metallised areas at either end of the body of the SMD resistor and this enables them to make contact with the printed circuit board through the solder.

The resistor itself consists of a ceramic substrate and onto this is deposited a metal oxide film. The thickness, and the length of the actual film determines the resistance. In view of the fact that the SMD resistors are manufactured using metal oxide, means that they are quite stable and usually have a good tolerance.

 

SMD resistor packages

SMD resistors come in a variety of packages. As the technology has moved forward so the size of the resistor packages has fallen. The main packages with their sizes are summarised below:

 

Package style	Size (mm)	Size (inches)
2512	6.30 x 3.10	0.25 x 0.12
2010	5.00 x 2.60	0.20 x 0.10
1812	4.6 x 3.0	0.18 x 0.12
1210	3.20 x 2.60	0.12 x 0.10
1206	3.0 x 1.5	0.12 x 0.06
0805	2.0 x 1.3	0.08 x 0.05
0603	1.5 x 0.08	0.06 x 0.03
0402	1 x 0.5	0.04 x 0.02
0201	0.6 x 0.3	0.02 x 0.01

It can be seen from the dimensions in Imperial measurements, that the package names correspond to the dimensions in hundredths of an inch. This an SMD resistor with an 0805 package measures 0.08 by 0.05 inches.

 

SMD resistor specifications

SMD resistors are manufactured by a number of different companies. Accordingly the specifications vary from one manufacturer to the next. It is therefore necessary to look at the manufacturers rating for a specific SMD resistor before deciding upon exactly what is required. However it is possible to make some generalisations about the ratings that might be anticipated.

Power rating: The power rating needs careful consideration in any design. For designs using SMDs the levels of power that can be dissipated are smaller than those for circuits using wire ended components. As a guide typical power ratings for some of the more popular SMD resistor sizes are given below. These can only be taken as a guide because they may vary according to the manufacturer and type.

 

Typical Power Ratings
Package style	Typical Power Rating (W)
2512	0.50 (1/2)
2010	0.25 (1/4)
1210	0.25 (1/4)
1206	0.125 (1/8)
0805	0.1 (1/10)
0603	0.625 (1/16)
0402	0.0625 - 0.031 (1/16 - 1/32)
0201	0.05

Some manufacturers will quote higher power levels than these. The figures given here are typical.

Tolerance: In view of the fact that SMD resistors are manufactured using metal oxide film they available in relative close tolerance values. Normally 5%, 2%, and 1% are widely available. For specialist applications 0.5% and 0.1% values may be obtained.

Temperature coefficient: Again the use of metal oxide film enables these SMD resistors to provide a good temperature coefficient. Values of 25, 50 and 100 ppm / C are available.