Fixed Resistors
GLASS SEALED RESISTORS WITH
GUARD BAND 3810 SERIES
- Application Note
Guard Band Principle
When a leakage path exists between two terminals it is nearly always
possible to nullify the leakage by interposing a metallic electrode
between the two terminals. Although leakage currents may continue to
flow, it is possible to divert the leakage current from a critical electrode
to some other point in the circuit where its effect is negligible. In many
cases, for example in an inverting amplifier, it is sufficient to connect the
guard band to ground potential. In other cases, for example in a “follower”
type of amplifier, it may be necessary to drive the guard from the output
of the amplifier. Details of these circuits are given in the following pages.
To meet the requests of our customers we have introduced a guard band
on the series 3810 High Value Resistors. This is standard feature on all
glass sealed resistors, type numbers 3810, 3811 and 3812 with resistance
values above 100G (10
11
ohms).
3810 series - High value resistors with values
up to 100T (10
14
ohms)
Specialist applications:
•
•
•
Gas analysis
Radiation monitoring
Calibration
Specialist features:
•
•
•
•
Permit measurement of current in the picoampere region
Available to 1% tolerance
Capacitance below 0.5pF
Value of 100G & above are supplied with a guard band to
eliminate the effects of leakage current.
TT electronics companies
Fixed Resistors
GLASS SEALED RESISTORS WITH GUARD BAND 3810 SERIES
- Application Note
Mechanical Details
The leakage path to be protected is the one existing on the external
surface of the glass envelope. Although other leakage paths exist
internally the external one is subject to contamination and humidity
effects. The silver band will be screen printed and fired on to the
external surface of the glass tube in which the resistor element is
finally seated. The position of the band will be displaced from the
centre of the resistor to a point located over one end cap and aligned
with 1.5mm (as shown in Figure 1).
Aligned to 1.5mm
5 +/- 0.5mm
Silver Guard Band
Glass Envelope
Soldered Terminations
Flying Leads Soldered to Terminations
Clip Soldered to P.C.B.
Clip
Flying Lead Soldered to Clip
Figure 1
Resistive Film
Figure 2
Figure 3
Resistor Mounting and Connection to the Guard Band
To obtain the best advantage from the guard band, and the
improved performance that this can provide, connection should be
made via the spring clip supplied with the resistor. Soldering a flying
lead to the band is not recommended.
The clip may be used solely for connection, or it may be used
as a mounting and connector. (See figures 2 and 3.)
Ideally, the resistors should be handled only by their
terminations (Warn your Goods Inward Inspection Department).
If it is essential to handle the glass envelope, gloves should
be worn.
Dynamic Response
High value resistors have long time constants, since even a small
amount of self-capacitance can have a significant effect. The guard
band can improve the dynamic performance because it forms an
electrostatic screen and will reduce the effective capacitance as well
as the leakage resistance.
Measurement of High Value Resistors
Ability to make accurate high resistance measurements depends on
several factors, but the essential ones are:
i) Access to resistance standards of suitably high value and
good stability.
ii) Availability of suitable low current detectors.
Measurement to high accuracies (e.g. 10ppm uncertainty per GΩ)
require at least 100 volts dc applied to the resistor, and preferably 500
volts. Measurement of the resistor with less than 100 volts applied
presents difficulties because the sensitivity of the detector will fall.
As resistance value and detector sensitivity increase, the need to
use three terminal resistors becomes essential to obtain the best
uncertainty. The existence of the third terminal to the guard band
permits an assessment of the magnitude of the two external leakage
paths. If these paths are shown to allow negligible leakage, then
the guard band can be left disconnected, restoring the resistor to
its original two-terminal form. However, the risk will remain that the
two-terminal resistor will be prone to the effects of contamination or
humidity.
Fixed Resistors
GLASS SEALED RESISTORS WITH GUARD BAND 3810 SERIES
- Application Note
Guarding Circuits and Techniques
A resistor RX with leakage RL may be represented by the circuit
shown in Figure 4, the guard band technique will introduce a
third terminal, splitting RL into two sections, RL1 and RL2 as
shown in Figure 5.
In this configuration it is possible to measure the two leakage
paths. In most circuits their effects can be nullified by suitably
connecting the third terminal.
RX
RX
RL
RL 1
RL 2
G
Figure 4
Figure 5
Inverter Amplifiers
The high value resistor with leakage may be placed in the input (Rin)
or feedback (RF) positions or both, as shown in Figure 6, but in either
case the grounding of the guard band prevents leakage currents at
the virtual earth, and the amplifier gain will be –RF/Rin.
The input leakage current from Vin flows through the guard terminal
G, to ground, and the output leakage current flows through guard
terminal G2 to ground.
RF
Virtual
earth
R in
V in
RL 1
G2
RL 2
V out
+
Figure 6
RL 1
G1
RL 2
RF
R1
RL 1
G
RL 2
V in
+
R2
Figure 7
R3
Follower with Gain
In the circuit shown in Figure 7
if
RF = R2
R1 R3
the potential at the
Since there is now zero potential across RL1, there can be no leakage
current in this part of the total leakage path. The leakage current
flowing in RL2 can be made a negligible quantity if R2 and R3 are low
in value compared to RL2. The gain of the amplifier becomes RF/R1.
guard terminal G will be equal to Vin
Fixed Resistors
GLASS SEALED RESISTORS WITH GUARD BAND 3810 SERIES
- Application Note
Wheatstone Bridge
In Figure 8, by connecting the guard as shown, RL2 is across the
detector, and does not affect the balance. RL1 shunts the ratio arm
R1 and if R1<<RL1 the error in the value of RX is small,
RX ≈ RS(R1/R2) but in any case, if known, can be allowed for.
+
R1
RL 1
G
RL 2
RX
RL 1
G
RL 2
RX
NULL
R2
RS
R
V
Figure 9
Figure 8
Voltage Divider
In the circuit shown in Figure 9, by making the guard connection the
total leakage is again divided into RL1 and RL2, of which RL1 now
appears across the supply and will not cause errors. RL2 appears
across the low value resistor R and has much reduced ability to
produce an error.
Example: With circuit values of RX = 10
12
, RL1 = 10
14
, R = 10
8
The nominal divider ratio is:
With the guard terminal unconnected the true ratio will be 9951, an
error of –0.5%
Connection of the guard as shown makes the ratio 10001.01 and the
error is now 0.0001%.
For additional product information and data sheets or to discuss your
specific requirements please contact the Resistor Applications Team
using the contact details below.
Note: Circuit diagrams shown for example only.
RX + R
R
12
8
= 10 +
8
10
10
=
10001
TT electronics: leading in fixed resistor technology.
www.ttelectronics.com
Europe: sales@ttelectronicseurope.com
Asia:
sales@ttelectronicsasia.com
Americas: sales@ttelectronics-na.com
General Note
TT electronics reserves the right to make changes in product specification without notice or liability.
All information is subject to TT electronics’ own data and is considered accurate at time of going to print.
TT electronics companies
www.bitechnologies.com
www.irctt.com
www.welwyn-tt.com
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