A Wire wound resistor is formed by wounding a wire made up of a resistive material around a core. The metallic core acts as a non-conductive material while the resistive wire conducts, but with some resistance. The image of a wire wound resistor is as shown below.
Usually a nichrome wire or a manganin wire is used to wind the core because they offer high resistance. Whereas plastic, ceramic or glass is used for core.
- Wire wound resistors are very accurate.
- They work excellently for low resistance values and high power ratings.
These are the oldest type of fixed resistors, but are being used even now.
