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Resistance wire
 
 
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Resistance wire is electrical wire used for its resistance. It is routinely used at high temperatures, so normally also has high melting point. Resistance wire is usually used for high-power resistor
Resistor

|- align = "center"||width = "25"|| |- align = "center"||| Potentiometer|- align = "center"| || |- align = "top"| Resistor|| Variable resistor...
s and heating element
Heating element

A heating element converts electricity into heat through the process of Joule heating. Electric current through the element encounters electrical resistance, resulting in heating of the element....
s, which produce heat used in electric heaters, electric oven
Oven

An oven is an enclosed compartment for heating, baking or drying. It is most commonly used in cooking and pottery. Ovens used in pottery are also known as kilns....
s and toaster
Toaster

A toaster is a small electric kitchen appliance designed to toast multiple types of bread products. A typical modern two-slice toaster draws anywhere between 600 and 1200 Watt and makes toast in 1 to 3 minutes....
s, and many other appliances.

lass="link1" onMouseover='showByLink("m7162001",this)' onMouseout='hide("m7162001")'href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Nichrome">Nichrome
Nichrome

Nichrome is a brand name for a nickel-chromium resistance wire, a non-magnetic alloy of nickel and chromium. A common alloy is 80% nickel and 20% chromium, but there are many others to accommodate various applications....
, a non-magnetic
Magnetism

In physics, magnetism is one of the phenomena by which materials exert attractive or repulsive forces on other materials. Some well-known materials that exhibit easily detectable magnetic properties are nickel, iron, cobalt, and their alloys; however, all materials are influenced to greater or lesser degree by the presence of a magnetic fiel...
 alloy
Alloy

An alloy is a partial or complete solid solution of one or more chemical element in a metallic matrix. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may be homogeneous in distribution depending on thermal history....
 of nickel
Nickel

Nickel is a chemical element, with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge....
 and chromium
Chromium

Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is a steely-gray, Lustre , hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point....
, is commonly used to make resistance wire because it has a high resistivity
Resistivity

Electrical resistivity is a measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. A low resistivity indicates a material that readily allows the movement of electrical charge....
 and resistance to oxidation at high temperatures.






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Encyclopedia


Resistance wire is electrical wire used for its resistance. It is routinely used at high temperatures, so normally also has high melting point. Resistance wire is usually used for high-power resistor
Resistor

|- align = "center"||width = "25"|| |- align = "center"||| Potentiometer|- align = "center"| || |- align = "top"| Resistor|| Variable resistor...
s and heating element
Heating element

A heating element converts electricity into heat through the process of Joule heating. Electric current through the element encounters electrical resistance, resulting in heating of the element....
s, which produce heat used in electric heaters, electric oven
Oven

An oven is an enclosed compartment for heating, baking or drying. It is most commonly used in cooking and pottery. Ovens used in pottery are also known as kilns....
s and toaster
Toaster

A toaster is a small electric kitchen appliance designed to toast multiple types of bread products. A typical modern two-slice toaster draws anywhere between 600 and 1200 Watt and makes toast in 1 to 3 minutes....
s, and many other appliances.

Types

Nichrome
Nichrome

Nichrome is a brand name for a nickel-chromium resistance wire, a non-magnetic alloy of nickel and chromium. A common alloy is 80% nickel and 20% chromium, but there are many others to accommodate various applications....
, a non-magnetic
Magnetism

In physics, magnetism is one of the phenomena by which materials exert attractive or repulsive forces on other materials. Some well-known materials that exhibit easily detectable magnetic properties are nickel, iron, cobalt, and their alloys; however, all materials are influenced to greater or lesser degree by the presence of a magnetic fiel...
 alloy
Alloy

An alloy is a partial or complete solid solution of one or more chemical element in a metallic matrix. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may be homogeneous in distribution depending on thermal history....
 of nickel
Nickel

Nickel is a chemical element, with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge....
 and chromium
Chromium

Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is a steely-gray, Lustre , hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point....
, is commonly used to make resistance wire because it has a high resistivity
Resistivity

Electrical resistivity is a measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. A low resistivity indicates a material that readily allows the movement of electrical charge....
 and resistance to oxidation at high temperatures. When used as a heating element, resistance wire is usually wound into coils.

Constantan
Constantan

Constantan is a copper-nickel alloy usually consisting of 55% Copper and 45% Nickel.Its main feature is its Electrical resistance which is constant over a wide range of temperatures....
 is used where resistance is required to not change with temperature. Constantan is readily solderable, though soldered joints have limited temperature range.

Many elements and alloys have been used as resistance wire for special purposes. Copper is also included for comparison.

Material Resistance (ohm-cmil/ft) (ohm-cm)

Aluminum 15.94 2.650 e-6 Brass 42.1 7.0 e-6 Carbon (amorphous) 3.8-4.1 e-6 Constantan 272.97 45.38 e-6 Copper10.09 1.678 e-6 Iron 57.81 9.61 e-6 Manganin 290 48.21 e-6 Molybdenum 32.12 5.34 e-6 Nichrome 675 112.2 e-6 Nichrome V 650 108.1 e-6 Nickel41.69 6.93 e-6 Platinum 63.16 10.5 e-6 Stainless steel (304) 541 90 e-6 Steel (0.5% Carbon) 100 16.62 e-6 Tungsten 31.76 5.28 e-6 Zinc 35.49 5.90 e-6