New resistors deliver 650 W of continuous power in a package, supporting high-voltage circuits and assembly across power applications.
Vishay Intertechnology has introduced the MCB RPWA 650 series of thick film power resistors, designed to deliver up to 650 W of continuous power in a low-profile package. The devices offer customizable cabling and an optional integrated NTC temperature sensor, helping reduce component count, save space, and simplify assembly.
The compact design allows engineers to achieve higher power density while reducing the number of resistors needed in parallel. A “cold system” baseplate transfers heat efficiently to an external heatsink, supporting stable operation across a temperature range of -55 °C to +155 °C.
The series combines the power resistor and optional NTC temperature sensor in a single housing. Customizable cabling and an easy-mount design with self-calibrating pressure remove the need for board-level soldering and reduce wiring and assembly requirements. The design also supports plug-and-play integration into power modules and assemblies.
The series is available with resistance values ranging from 6.2 Ω to 1 MΩ and tolerances down to ±5%. It can be used for applications such as precharge, discharge, active discharge, power conversion, and snubber circuits. Target applications include automotive, energy, industrial, medical, and avionics systems.
The resistors support operating voltages of up to 6000 VDC and dielectric strength of up to 7000 VRMS. Typical self-inductance is ≤40 nH, making the devices suitable for high-voltage and fast-switching circuits where controlled energy dissipation and reduced transient overshoot are required.
The RPWA 650 series also supports repetitive pulse operation of up to 3.5 J per pulse for 50 μs pulses. The RoHS-compliant devices are currently pending AEC-Q200 qualification.
