New Industry Products

IRC Announces Thick-Film-On-Steel Dynamic Braking Resistors

April 23, 2001 by Jeff Shepard

International Resistive Co. Inc. (IRC, Boone, NC) announced that it has applied its thick-film-on-steel technology to dynamic braking applications. The resultant dynamic braking resistors are resistive elements on steel substrates that are designed to replace the wire-wound resistors traditionally used in such applications. IRC claims that the new resistors occupy less than one quarter of the space required by those using conventional technology.

IRC's thick-film-on-steel technology consists of a thick film resistive element screened onto a ceramic dielectric glaze, which is bound directly to a stainless steel substrate. The new resistors are externally-mounted and feature power density of 100W per square-centimeter. They have standard dielectric ratings of 2,400Vac and 3,500Vdc. Their operating temperature range extends to 400 degrees C. Fusing elements can be added to the resistor to provide additional surge and over-temperature protection, and temperature sensors or thermistors can be added to give the system access to closed-loop feedback controls.

“IRC's dynamic braking resistors offer a flexible alternative to traditional braking modules for the motion control design engineer," commented Pierre LaVignette, sales and marketing director for IRC. “Mechanically, the ability of the steel substrates to be welded, bent and form-fitted for specific applications allows the design engineer tremendous flexibility in reducing the size and weight of the motion control system in virtually every application."