Wire wound resistors are the oldest type of resistors that are still manufactured today. They can be produced very accurate, and have excellent properties for low resistance values and high power ratings.

A wire wound resistor is a resistor where a wire with a high resistivity is wrapped around an insulating core to provide the resistance. A wire wound resistor is an electrical passive component that limits current. The resistive element exists out of an insulated metallic wire that is winded around a core of non-conductive material. The wire material has a high resistivity, and is usually made of an alloy such as Nickel-chromium  or a copper-nickel-manganese alloy called Manganin. Common core materials include ceramic, plastic and glass.



Wire wound resistor construction varies widely. The technology and materials choice  lie on the way the resistor applied to a circuit. Wire wound resistors are mainly produced for lower resistance values. For low power ratings, very thin wire is used. The handling of the wire is for this matter critical.


Any damage may sever contact. After winding the wire is well protected from access of moisture to prevent electrolytic corrosion. Next to precision, there are also wire wound resistors with high power rating for 50W or more. These resistors have a quite different construction. Compared to other resistor types as the metal film, the wire diameter is relatively big and therefore more robust.