0201 to 2512 types lead chip resistor supply

Further miniaturization stays on the chip resistor R&D agenda but takes a backseat in production as demand for standard sizes climbs.

Key suppliers of chip resistors in mainland China have the capability to churn out highly miniaturized types, while others will continue to pursue this as a development objective. Companies such as Guangdong Fenghua can offer the component in 01005 or 0.4x0.2mm, but types smaller than this pose a manufacturing challenge. The technology currently used by most enterprises will result in a large size tolerance, reaching as much as ±20µm, and may also cause chip breakage. Factoring in limited market, such steep production requirement bars ventures into this territory dominated by industry giants. The last includes Rohm, which has gone on to develop 03015 or 0.3x0.15mm kinds based on a method that reduces size tolerance to ±5µm.

Production focus is on popular sizes instead, with the most compact in 0201 packages and the largest in 2512. Makers work on enhancing component features to boost competitiveness.

Shenzhen Ho Electronics Co. Ltd concentrates efforts on improving precision and has so far achieved stability classes of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 percent from 1, 2 and 5 percent. It turns out chip resistors that adopt alloys with low temperature coefficient of resistance or TCR. The units are widely used in the automotive, drone, charging pile, inverter, power supply, home appliances, new energy and aerospace fields.

Manufacturers secure additional certification to better penetrate specific markets. Shenzhen Ho is ISO/TS 16949-compliant to meet the requirement in the automotive industry, besides conforming to ISO 9001 guidelines. Guangdong Fenghua ensures its thin-film resistors have the AEC-Q200 qualification. Its 0402 to 2512 models have ±25 to ±50ppm/C TCR and 0.1 to 1 percent resistance tolerance, can withstand high temperatures and exhibit stability.

The preference for standard sizes applies to the rest of the suppliers in the line, which carry chip capacitors from major international and local brands. Sun Kam Wah International Electric (HK) Co. markets 01005 to 0612 units sourced from Yageo, Vishay and Guangdong Fenghua. The main applications include telecom, medical and military equipment, and computers, A/V products, digital cameras, pocket calculators and watches. Hitano Enterprise Corp.'s selection consists of 0603 to 2512 kinds.

Higher prices as supply dips

When Yageo subsidiary Ko-E stopped accepting new orders for chip resistors in December 2017 as demand exceeded capacity, this had a ripple effect on the rest of the supply chain. Yageo owns 34 percent of the global market for the line and churns out 900 billion units every month.

Hit by the shortage are thick-film types for general purposes and in sizes of 0210, 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, 1218, 2010 and 2512. As a result, prices went up and will continue to rise in coming months.

The series of adjustments began in 2017, when Yageo announced a quote hike due to higher material costs. Similar moves by Ta-I and Uniohm, both of which are also major industry players from Taiwan, followed. In mainland China, the biggest chip resistor manufacturer Guangdong Fenghua implemented an increase as well, first at 10 percent and then by 30 percent in the same year.

This affected companies that source chip resistors from major brands. As orders climbed, Taiwan-based Hitano amended its rates and also extended delivery lead time to 180 days from 60. Mainland supplier Sun Kam Wah adjusted its prices as well.

With tight supply, however, smaller makers have been receiving more orders. Shenzhen Ho, which promotes its own brand, expects an increase of between 20 and 30 percent.

In general, mainland companies look forward to a 20 to 30 percent higher exports this year.

Up to 2512 chip resistors

In addition to 0201 and 0402 units, those in 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, 1812, 2010 and 2512 packages are widely available. These have a design tolerance of ±0.01 or ±0.05 percent and TCR of ±5, ±10 or ±15ppm/C, while resistance ranges from 1 ohm to 22Mohm. Per 1,000 units, the price is about $46.88.

The high-precision types target mostly applications in medical and measuring equipment, automotive control panels, automatic controllers, computers, mobile phones and GPS devices.

Mainland and Taiwan companies churn out about 80 percent of the global supply of chip resistors. Seventy percent comes from the latter group, which includes Yageo, Ta-I and Uniohm that have factories in Suzhou and Kunshan in Jiangsu province, and Shenzhen and Dongguan in Guangdong province. Yageo accounts for almost half of Taiwan's share.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our market analyst for representing current trends in chip resistors from mainland China and Taiwan makers.

0603 to 2512 chip resistors with ±100 to ±200ppm/C TCR

Hitano Enterprise Corp. offers the HWF Series of chip resistors in 0603 to 2512 variants. The units have a resistance range of 100kohm to 100Mohm, resistance tolerance of ±1 or ±5 percent and ±100 to ±200ppm/C TCR. The maximum operating voltage ranges from 200 to 3,000V and the maximum overload voltage 400 to 4,000V. Rated power is 1/10 to 1W at 70 C. Price is $20 to $70 per 1,000 units. The minimum order is 20,000 units. Delivery takes 60 days.

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2512 chip resistor in E-96 series

For a minimum order of 5,000 units, Nova Technology (HK) Co. Ltd delivers model 2512 0R2 1% chip resistor the next day. The E-96 component has 0.5 percent tolerance and 1ohm to 10Mohm resistance range, and its jumper less than 50mohm resistance value and 10A maximum overload current. The maximum operating voltage is 200V and the maximum overload voltage 500V. The 6.35x3.2x0.55mm unit operates in -55 to 155 C.

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Shunt chip resistor for automotive electronics

From Shenzhen Ho Electronics Co. Ltd, HOLRS1575R001F model is a shunt chip resistor developed for automotive electronics. The 5 to 7W unit is based on alloy and measures 15x7mm.

The ISO/TS 16949-compliant maker requires a minimum order of 2,000 units. Delivery is within 10 to 15 days.

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01005 to 0612 chip resistors

Sun Kam Wah International Electric (HK) Co. markets the CR Series of 01005 to 0612 chip resistors with resistance of 1.2, 3.3ohm, 10 or 100kohm, and tolerance of ±0.1 percent B, ±0.25 percent C, ±0.5 percent D or ±1 percent F. A 7in reel has 15,000 units and a 13in version 40,000 units. Applications include audio devices, TV tuners, instruments, and telecom, medical and military equipment. The minimum order of 1,000 units is priced at $6.09.

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0201 to 2512 thin-film chip resistors

Supertech Electronic Co. Ltd supplies the AR Series of thin-film chip resistors in 0201, 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, 2010 and 2512 variants. The resistance range is 1ohm to 3Mohm, tolerance ±0.01 percent and ±2ppm/C TCR. Applications include medical, testing/measuring and printing equipment, automatic equipment controllers, converters and communication devices. Each unit is $0.001. The minimum order of 10,000 units has a 35-day delivery lead time.

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