Industry's First Compact Four-Terminal, 3-W Power Metal Strip®Resistor Improves Current Measurement Accuracy

MALVERN, PENNSYLVANIA - October 26, 2001 - A new low-profile resistor featuring a four-terminal construction that reduces the influence of the copper terminals on the overall TCR and resistance while allowing for less than a 1% resistance tolerance down to 3 mΩ was announced today by Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH). With a compact, surface-mount package, the 3-W Vishay Dale resistor provides designers with a low-cost, commercially-available solution for more accurate current measurement in consumer, industrial, and automotive instrumentation systems.

Based on Vishay's patented Power MetalStrip^® technology, the WSL3637 features a unique four-terminal design that allows for very tight tolerance with extremely low resistance values, such as a 0.5% resistance tolerance down to 3mΩ. The new device is offered with resistance tolerance options of 0.5% and 1%, resistance values ranging from 3 mΩ to 10 mΩ, and a temperature coefficient of less than 50PPM/°C. The WSL3637 also affords a lower temperature coefficient of resistance and a higher degree of accuracy than that provided by a two-terminal resistor. A standard feature of the Power Metal Strip^® technology is very low inductance, typically 0.5 nH to 5 nH.

Encapsulated with a high-temperature coating, the WSL3637 is well suited for use in all types of current sensing and pulse applications - including switching and linear power supplies, instruments, and power amplifiers. With one of the industry's highest derating values among comparable devices, the WSL3637 maintains functionality under extreme environmental conditions up to 170°C. The WSL3637 additionally features an all-welded construction, 60/40 tin/lead copper terminations, and a solidmetal nickel-chrome alloy resistive element. Measuring just 9.4 mm by 9.14mm, with a 0.635-mm height profile (0.370 in. by 0.360 in. by 0.025 in.), the WSL3637 can be easily designed into a variety of ultra-compact end products.

As a surface-mount device, the Vishay Dale WSL3637 serves as a high-accuracy, cost-effective replacement for through-hole resistors enabling total solder reflow board assembly, and eliminating the need for lead forming and lead trimming in the manufacturing process.

Samples and production quantities of the WSL3637 resistors are availablenow, with lead times of four to six weeks for larger orders.

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1,000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, rectifiers, transistors, and optoelectronics and selected ICs) and passive electronic components (resistors, capacitors, inductors, sensors, and transducers). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, and medical markets. Its product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and ability to provide "one-stop shop" service have made Vishay a global industry leader. Vishay can be found on the Internet at http://www.vishay.com.

Power Metal Strip is a registered trademark of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.