Measuring a small resistance, ~0.001 ohm












2












$begingroup$


I have a low resistance resistor that I would like to use to measure the current through another circuit, but first I need to accurately determine its resistance.



Its data sheet says it is 0.001 ohm +/- 1%





schematic





simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



A basic setup is to apply a voltage to the resistor, measure the current going through it and the voltage across it, the set up in the diagram above.



I am having some trouble understanding my current and voltage measurements and how the probes may effect the circuit.



The first thing is measuring the voltage. If I touch my probes together I get a reading of 0.02 mV. Is this something I need to offset in my measurement? For instance, if I measure 0.16 mV, should I subtract the 0.02 record the measurement as 0.14 mV?



Secondly the current measurement, when my power supply is OFF, my multimeter reads 3.7 mA, as I vary the current limit it is 3.7 mA less, than what the power supply indicates. For example, if set to a 200 mA current limit, the multimeter reads 197.3 mA.



The idea is to use one multimeter to verify the current to the resistor, as the power supply reading may not necessarily be accurate. However, as I write this I realise my power supply has an OFF button for the voltage output and for the device itself. When the device is OFF, the current reading is 0 mA, when it is ON, but the output is OFF, the reading it 3.7 mA, and when the output is turned ON (with the current limit 200 mA) the current reading is 197.3 mA.



So I reason that the current reading on the multimeter is probably fine as is. It is just when the supply is ON, even if the output is off, there is a small current leaking through.



But I am still not sure about the voltage.





Edit
The diagram I meant was this, with 2 separate meters one for current one for the voltage across the resistor.





schematic





simulate this circuit










share|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    It is unclear to me if you're doing a proper 4-point measurement, if not measuring like in your schematic can introduce HUGE measurement errors as the resistance you want to measure is MUCH smaller than for example the series resistance of the Current meter. Let alone the resistance of the wires. What you need to do is a 4 point measurement where you create separated connections/wires for the current and the voltage, go read: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-terminal_sensing and: allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-8/…
    $endgroup$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Dec 10 '18 at 14:28








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    If you can get a low voltage supply or battery to supply a 50 to 100mV with 50 to 100A drop then your offset errors are reduced. But DMM calbration is important.
    $endgroup$
    – Sunnyskyguy EE75
    Dec 10 '18 at 14:44










  • $begingroup$
    Check the power rating of the resistor is suitable before putting a large current through it, if that is how you end up measuring the resistance.
    $endgroup$
    – Andrew Morton
    Dec 10 '18 at 18:36










  • $begingroup$
    What's the part number?
    $endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Dec 10 '18 at 20:33










  • $begingroup$
    @AndrewMorton 100 A is probably a bit excessive, but (15 A)² × 1 mΩ = 0.225 W, so I wouldn't worry about the resistor so much as the supply.
    $endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Dec 10 '18 at 20:34


















2












$begingroup$


I have a low resistance resistor that I would like to use to measure the current through another circuit, but first I need to accurately determine its resistance.



Its data sheet says it is 0.001 ohm +/- 1%





schematic





simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



A basic setup is to apply a voltage to the resistor, measure the current going through it and the voltage across it, the set up in the diagram above.



I am having some trouble understanding my current and voltage measurements and how the probes may effect the circuit.



The first thing is measuring the voltage. If I touch my probes together I get a reading of 0.02 mV. Is this something I need to offset in my measurement? For instance, if I measure 0.16 mV, should I subtract the 0.02 record the measurement as 0.14 mV?



Secondly the current measurement, when my power supply is OFF, my multimeter reads 3.7 mA, as I vary the current limit it is 3.7 mA less, than what the power supply indicates. For example, if set to a 200 mA current limit, the multimeter reads 197.3 mA.



The idea is to use one multimeter to verify the current to the resistor, as the power supply reading may not necessarily be accurate. However, as I write this I realise my power supply has an OFF button for the voltage output and for the device itself. When the device is OFF, the current reading is 0 mA, when it is ON, but the output is OFF, the reading it 3.7 mA, and when the output is turned ON (with the current limit 200 mA) the current reading is 197.3 mA.



So I reason that the current reading on the multimeter is probably fine as is. It is just when the supply is ON, even if the output is off, there is a small current leaking through.



But I am still not sure about the voltage.





Edit
The diagram I meant was this, with 2 separate meters one for current one for the voltage across the resistor.





schematic





simulate this circuit










share|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    It is unclear to me if you're doing a proper 4-point measurement, if not measuring like in your schematic can introduce HUGE measurement errors as the resistance you want to measure is MUCH smaller than for example the series resistance of the Current meter. Let alone the resistance of the wires. What you need to do is a 4 point measurement where you create separated connections/wires for the current and the voltage, go read: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-terminal_sensing and: allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-8/…
    $endgroup$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Dec 10 '18 at 14:28








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    If you can get a low voltage supply or battery to supply a 50 to 100mV with 50 to 100A drop then your offset errors are reduced. But DMM calbration is important.
    $endgroup$
    – Sunnyskyguy EE75
    Dec 10 '18 at 14:44










  • $begingroup$
    Check the power rating of the resistor is suitable before putting a large current through it, if that is how you end up measuring the resistance.
    $endgroup$
    – Andrew Morton
    Dec 10 '18 at 18:36










  • $begingroup$
    What's the part number?
    $endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Dec 10 '18 at 20:33










  • $begingroup$
    @AndrewMorton 100 A is probably a bit excessive, but (15 A)² × 1 mΩ = 0.225 W, so I wouldn't worry about the resistor so much as the supply.
    $endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Dec 10 '18 at 20:34
















2












2








2





$begingroup$


I have a low resistance resistor that I would like to use to measure the current through another circuit, but first I need to accurately determine its resistance.



Its data sheet says it is 0.001 ohm +/- 1%





schematic





simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



A basic setup is to apply a voltage to the resistor, measure the current going through it and the voltage across it, the set up in the diagram above.



I am having some trouble understanding my current and voltage measurements and how the probes may effect the circuit.



The first thing is measuring the voltage. If I touch my probes together I get a reading of 0.02 mV. Is this something I need to offset in my measurement? For instance, if I measure 0.16 mV, should I subtract the 0.02 record the measurement as 0.14 mV?



Secondly the current measurement, when my power supply is OFF, my multimeter reads 3.7 mA, as I vary the current limit it is 3.7 mA less, than what the power supply indicates. For example, if set to a 200 mA current limit, the multimeter reads 197.3 mA.



The idea is to use one multimeter to verify the current to the resistor, as the power supply reading may not necessarily be accurate. However, as I write this I realise my power supply has an OFF button for the voltage output and for the device itself. When the device is OFF, the current reading is 0 mA, when it is ON, but the output is OFF, the reading it 3.7 mA, and when the output is turned ON (with the current limit 200 mA) the current reading is 197.3 mA.



So I reason that the current reading on the multimeter is probably fine as is. It is just when the supply is ON, even if the output is off, there is a small current leaking through.



But I am still not sure about the voltage.





Edit
The diagram I meant was this, with 2 separate meters one for current one for the voltage across the resistor.





schematic





simulate this circuit










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




I have a low resistance resistor that I would like to use to measure the current through another circuit, but first I need to accurately determine its resistance.



Its data sheet says it is 0.001 ohm +/- 1%





schematic





simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



A basic setup is to apply a voltage to the resistor, measure the current going through it and the voltage across it, the set up in the diagram above.



I am having some trouble understanding my current and voltage measurements and how the probes may effect the circuit.



The first thing is measuring the voltage. If I touch my probes together I get a reading of 0.02 mV. Is this something I need to offset in my measurement? For instance, if I measure 0.16 mV, should I subtract the 0.02 record the measurement as 0.14 mV?



Secondly the current measurement, when my power supply is OFF, my multimeter reads 3.7 mA, as I vary the current limit it is 3.7 mA less, than what the power supply indicates. For example, if set to a 200 mA current limit, the multimeter reads 197.3 mA.



The idea is to use one multimeter to verify the current to the resistor, as the power supply reading may not necessarily be accurate. However, as I write this I realise my power supply has an OFF button for the voltage output and for the device itself. When the device is OFF, the current reading is 0 mA, when it is ON, but the output is OFF, the reading it 3.7 mA, and when the output is turned ON (with the current limit 200 mA) the current reading is 197.3 mA.



So I reason that the current reading on the multimeter is probably fine as is. It is just when the supply is ON, even if the output is off, there is a small current leaking through.



But I am still not sure about the voltage.





Edit
The diagram I meant was this, with 2 separate meters one for current one for the voltage across the resistor.





schematic





simulate this circuit







resistance current-measurement multimeter voltage-measurement






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 11 '18 at 4:10









Peter Mortensen

1,60031422




1,60031422










asked Dec 10 '18 at 14:23









DaveDave

917




917








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    It is unclear to me if you're doing a proper 4-point measurement, if not measuring like in your schematic can introduce HUGE measurement errors as the resistance you want to measure is MUCH smaller than for example the series resistance of the Current meter. Let alone the resistance of the wires. What you need to do is a 4 point measurement where you create separated connections/wires for the current and the voltage, go read: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-terminal_sensing and: allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-8/…
    $endgroup$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Dec 10 '18 at 14:28








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    If you can get a low voltage supply or battery to supply a 50 to 100mV with 50 to 100A drop then your offset errors are reduced. But DMM calbration is important.
    $endgroup$
    – Sunnyskyguy EE75
    Dec 10 '18 at 14:44










  • $begingroup$
    Check the power rating of the resistor is suitable before putting a large current through it, if that is how you end up measuring the resistance.
    $endgroup$
    – Andrew Morton
    Dec 10 '18 at 18:36










  • $begingroup$
    What's the part number?
    $endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Dec 10 '18 at 20:33










  • $begingroup$
    @AndrewMorton 100 A is probably a bit excessive, but (15 A)² × 1 mΩ = 0.225 W, so I wouldn't worry about the resistor so much as the supply.
    $endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Dec 10 '18 at 20:34
















  • 4




    $begingroup$
    It is unclear to me if you're doing a proper 4-point measurement, if not measuring like in your schematic can introduce HUGE measurement errors as the resistance you want to measure is MUCH smaller than for example the series resistance of the Current meter. Let alone the resistance of the wires. What you need to do is a 4 point measurement where you create separated connections/wires for the current and the voltage, go read: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-terminal_sensing and: allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-8/…
    $endgroup$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Dec 10 '18 at 14:28








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    If you can get a low voltage supply or battery to supply a 50 to 100mV with 50 to 100A drop then your offset errors are reduced. But DMM calbration is important.
    $endgroup$
    – Sunnyskyguy EE75
    Dec 10 '18 at 14:44










  • $begingroup$
    Check the power rating of the resistor is suitable before putting a large current through it, if that is how you end up measuring the resistance.
    $endgroup$
    – Andrew Morton
    Dec 10 '18 at 18:36










  • $begingroup$
    What's the part number?
    $endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Dec 10 '18 at 20:33










  • $begingroup$
    @AndrewMorton 100 A is probably a bit excessive, but (15 A)² × 1 mΩ = 0.225 W, so I wouldn't worry about the resistor so much as the supply.
    $endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Dec 10 '18 at 20:34










4




4




$begingroup$
It is unclear to me if you're doing a proper 4-point measurement, if not measuring like in your schematic can introduce HUGE measurement errors as the resistance you want to measure is MUCH smaller than for example the series resistance of the Current meter. Let alone the resistance of the wires. What you need to do is a 4 point measurement where you create separated connections/wires for the current and the voltage, go read: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-terminal_sensing and: allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-8/…
$endgroup$
– Bimpelrekkie
Dec 10 '18 at 14:28






$begingroup$
It is unclear to me if you're doing a proper 4-point measurement, if not measuring like in your schematic can introduce HUGE measurement errors as the resistance you want to measure is MUCH smaller than for example the series resistance of the Current meter. Let alone the resistance of the wires. What you need to do is a 4 point measurement where you create separated connections/wires for the current and the voltage, go read: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-terminal_sensing and: allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-8/…
$endgroup$
– Bimpelrekkie
Dec 10 '18 at 14:28






1




1




$begingroup$
If you can get a low voltage supply or battery to supply a 50 to 100mV with 50 to 100A drop then your offset errors are reduced. But DMM calbration is important.
$endgroup$
– Sunnyskyguy EE75
Dec 10 '18 at 14:44




$begingroup$
If you can get a low voltage supply or battery to supply a 50 to 100mV with 50 to 100A drop then your offset errors are reduced. But DMM calbration is important.
$endgroup$
– Sunnyskyguy EE75
Dec 10 '18 at 14:44












$begingroup$
Check the power rating of the resistor is suitable before putting a large current through it, if that is how you end up measuring the resistance.
$endgroup$
– Andrew Morton
Dec 10 '18 at 18:36




$begingroup$
Check the power rating of the resistor is suitable before putting a large current through it, if that is how you end up measuring the resistance.
$endgroup$
– Andrew Morton
Dec 10 '18 at 18:36












$begingroup$
What's the part number?
$endgroup$
– Nick T
Dec 10 '18 at 20:33




$begingroup$
What's the part number?
$endgroup$
– Nick T
Dec 10 '18 at 20:33












$begingroup$
@AndrewMorton 100 A is probably a bit excessive, but (15 A)² × 1 mΩ = 0.225 W, so I wouldn't worry about the resistor so much as the supply.
$endgroup$
– Nick T
Dec 10 '18 at 20:34






$begingroup$
@AndrewMorton 100 A is probably a bit excessive, but (15 A)² × 1 mΩ = 0.225 W, so I wouldn't worry about the resistor so much as the supply.
$endgroup$
– Nick T
Dec 10 '18 at 20:34












3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















6












$begingroup$

I agree with both of your statements, subtract the 20 µV (or add it, depending on polarity), and use the meter measurement of current directly. You have no way of correcting for a span error on either meter.



When measuring such a low resistance, it's vital to use a 4-wire technique. You will also want to use a relatively high current to minimize errors.



To verify 1 mΩ to within, say, ±0.1% (since the resistor is allegedly ±1%) requires a measurement to within 1 µΩ, meaning you will have to be very careful with the connections. Thermal EMFs can also be a problem, which you can partially mitigate by reversing the polarity and making another measurement.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Is the Wheatstone bridge method also applicable? Just out of interest.
    $endgroup$
    – Solar Mike
    Dec 10 '18 at 15:08






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @SolarMike It's possible to incorporate a 4 terminal measurement into a wheatstone bridge arrangement, but not very useful. A Wheatstone bridge is a solution to a different problem.
    $endgroup$
    – Neil_UK
    Dec 10 '18 at 15:10





















12












$begingroup$

You can't "accurately determine" such a low resistance using household DMMs, which are likely completely lack of any calibration whatsoever. Accuracy class of your household DMMs is way worse than 1%, especially on the sensitive low-voltage range, and all your results will be suspect and useless. Plus you need to control temperature of contacts very carefully and avoid thermal gradients, otherwise thermal EMF will screw all your results.



Instead, you should trust the datasheets (if the manufacturer is reputable), and follow ALL recommendations on how to mount/connect/use this device, including PCB pad shapes/solder technique and configuration of voltage sense traces. A resistor is much simpler device than digital multimeter, so it is easier to believe that the class accuracy (1%) is better sustained in resistor than in multimeter. If anything, you should consider calibrating your DMMs using this resistor, not the other way around.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$





















    2












    $begingroup$

    The datasheet for the part you link (CSS4J-4026) shows the recommended (basically required if you want their 1% accuracy) pad layout.



    enter image description here



    Notably, it is a 4 terminal resistor and the claims about it being "1 mΩ ± 1%" is only with respect to the voltage out the sense terminals when passing current through the shunt terminals. The resistance across the shunt terminals will be larger.



    The model for the resistor as a whole is something like:





    schematic





    simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



    I don't think there are any specific guarantees as to the resistance on the leads, other than they're "low", probably no more than 10-100% the resistance of the shunt itself.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      6












      $begingroup$

      I agree with both of your statements, subtract the 20 µV (or add it, depending on polarity), and use the meter measurement of current directly. You have no way of correcting for a span error on either meter.



      When measuring such a low resistance, it's vital to use a 4-wire technique. You will also want to use a relatively high current to minimize errors.



      To verify 1 mΩ to within, say, ±0.1% (since the resistor is allegedly ±1%) requires a measurement to within 1 µΩ, meaning you will have to be very careful with the connections. Thermal EMFs can also be a problem, which you can partially mitigate by reversing the polarity and making another measurement.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$













      • $begingroup$
        Is the Wheatstone bridge method also applicable? Just out of interest.
        $endgroup$
        – Solar Mike
        Dec 10 '18 at 15:08






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @SolarMike It's possible to incorporate a 4 terminal measurement into a wheatstone bridge arrangement, but not very useful. A Wheatstone bridge is a solution to a different problem.
        $endgroup$
        – Neil_UK
        Dec 10 '18 at 15:10


















      6












      $begingroup$

      I agree with both of your statements, subtract the 20 µV (or add it, depending on polarity), and use the meter measurement of current directly. You have no way of correcting for a span error on either meter.



      When measuring such a low resistance, it's vital to use a 4-wire technique. You will also want to use a relatively high current to minimize errors.



      To verify 1 mΩ to within, say, ±0.1% (since the resistor is allegedly ±1%) requires a measurement to within 1 µΩ, meaning you will have to be very careful with the connections. Thermal EMFs can also be a problem, which you can partially mitigate by reversing the polarity and making another measurement.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$













      • $begingroup$
        Is the Wheatstone bridge method also applicable? Just out of interest.
        $endgroup$
        – Solar Mike
        Dec 10 '18 at 15:08






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @SolarMike It's possible to incorporate a 4 terminal measurement into a wheatstone bridge arrangement, but not very useful. A Wheatstone bridge is a solution to a different problem.
        $endgroup$
        – Neil_UK
        Dec 10 '18 at 15:10
















      6












      6








      6





      $begingroup$

      I agree with both of your statements, subtract the 20 µV (or add it, depending on polarity), and use the meter measurement of current directly. You have no way of correcting for a span error on either meter.



      When measuring such a low resistance, it's vital to use a 4-wire technique. You will also want to use a relatively high current to minimize errors.



      To verify 1 mΩ to within, say, ±0.1% (since the resistor is allegedly ±1%) requires a measurement to within 1 µΩ, meaning you will have to be very careful with the connections. Thermal EMFs can also be a problem, which you can partially mitigate by reversing the polarity and making another measurement.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$



      I agree with both of your statements, subtract the 20 µV (or add it, depending on polarity), and use the meter measurement of current directly. You have no way of correcting for a span error on either meter.



      When measuring such a low resistance, it's vital to use a 4-wire technique. You will also want to use a relatively high current to minimize errors.



      To verify 1 mΩ to within, say, ±0.1% (since the resistor is allegedly ±1%) requires a measurement to within 1 µΩ, meaning you will have to be very careful with the connections. Thermal EMFs can also be a problem, which you can partially mitigate by reversing the polarity and making another measurement.







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited Dec 10 '18 at 20:36









      Nick T

      11.4k23968




      11.4k23968










      answered Dec 10 '18 at 14:31









      Spehro PefhanySpehro Pefhany

      206k5156412




      206k5156412












      • $begingroup$
        Is the Wheatstone bridge method also applicable? Just out of interest.
        $endgroup$
        – Solar Mike
        Dec 10 '18 at 15:08






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @SolarMike It's possible to incorporate a 4 terminal measurement into a wheatstone bridge arrangement, but not very useful. A Wheatstone bridge is a solution to a different problem.
        $endgroup$
        – Neil_UK
        Dec 10 '18 at 15:10




















      • $begingroup$
        Is the Wheatstone bridge method also applicable? Just out of interest.
        $endgroup$
        – Solar Mike
        Dec 10 '18 at 15:08






      • 2




        $begingroup$
        @SolarMike It's possible to incorporate a 4 terminal measurement into a wheatstone bridge arrangement, but not very useful. A Wheatstone bridge is a solution to a different problem.
        $endgroup$
        – Neil_UK
        Dec 10 '18 at 15:10


















      $begingroup$
      Is the Wheatstone bridge method also applicable? Just out of interest.
      $endgroup$
      – Solar Mike
      Dec 10 '18 at 15:08




      $begingroup$
      Is the Wheatstone bridge method also applicable? Just out of interest.
      $endgroup$
      – Solar Mike
      Dec 10 '18 at 15:08




      2




      2




      $begingroup$
      @SolarMike It's possible to incorporate a 4 terminal measurement into a wheatstone bridge arrangement, but not very useful. A Wheatstone bridge is a solution to a different problem.
      $endgroup$
      – Neil_UK
      Dec 10 '18 at 15:10






      $begingroup$
      @SolarMike It's possible to incorporate a 4 terminal measurement into a wheatstone bridge arrangement, but not very useful. A Wheatstone bridge is a solution to a different problem.
      $endgroup$
      – Neil_UK
      Dec 10 '18 at 15:10















      12












      $begingroup$

      You can't "accurately determine" such a low resistance using household DMMs, which are likely completely lack of any calibration whatsoever. Accuracy class of your household DMMs is way worse than 1%, especially on the sensitive low-voltage range, and all your results will be suspect and useless. Plus you need to control temperature of contacts very carefully and avoid thermal gradients, otherwise thermal EMF will screw all your results.



      Instead, you should trust the datasheets (if the manufacturer is reputable), and follow ALL recommendations on how to mount/connect/use this device, including PCB pad shapes/solder technique and configuration of voltage sense traces. A resistor is much simpler device than digital multimeter, so it is easier to believe that the class accuracy (1%) is better sustained in resistor than in multimeter. If anything, you should consider calibrating your DMMs using this resistor, not the other way around.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$


















        12












        $begingroup$

        You can't "accurately determine" such a low resistance using household DMMs, which are likely completely lack of any calibration whatsoever. Accuracy class of your household DMMs is way worse than 1%, especially on the sensitive low-voltage range, and all your results will be suspect and useless. Plus you need to control temperature of contacts very carefully and avoid thermal gradients, otherwise thermal EMF will screw all your results.



        Instead, you should trust the datasheets (if the manufacturer is reputable), and follow ALL recommendations on how to mount/connect/use this device, including PCB pad shapes/solder technique and configuration of voltage sense traces. A resistor is much simpler device than digital multimeter, so it is easier to believe that the class accuracy (1%) is better sustained in resistor than in multimeter. If anything, you should consider calibrating your DMMs using this resistor, not the other way around.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$
















          12












          12








          12





          $begingroup$

          You can't "accurately determine" such a low resistance using household DMMs, which are likely completely lack of any calibration whatsoever. Accuracy class of your household DMMs is way worse than 1%, especially on the sensitive low-voltage range, and all your results will be suspect and useless. Plus you need to control temperature of contacts very carefully and avoid thermal gradients, otherwise thermal EMF will screw all your results.



          Instead, you should trust the datasheets (if the manufacturer is reputable), and follow ALL recommendations on how to mount/connect/use this device, including PCB pad shapes/solder technique and configuration of voltage sense traces. A resistor is much simpler device than digital multimeter, so it is easier to believe that the class accuracy (1%) is better sustained in resistor than in multimeter. If anything, you should consider calibrating your DMMs using this resistor, not the other way around.






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$



          You can't "accurately determine" such a low resistance using household DMMs, which are likely completely lack of any calibration whatsoever. Accuracy class of your household DMMs is way worse than 1%, especially on the sensitive low-voltage range, and all your results will be suspect and useless. Plus you need to control temperature of contacts very carefully and avoid thermal gradients, otherwise thermal EMF will screw all your results.



          Instead, you should trust the datasheets (if the manufacturer is reputable), and follow ALL recommendations on how to mount/connect/use this device, including PCB pad shapes/solder technique and configuration of voltage sense traces. A resistor is much simpler device than digital multimeter, so it is easier to believe that the class accuracy (1%) is better sustained in resistor than in multimeter. If anything, you should consider calibrating your DMMs using this resistor, not the other way around.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Dec 10 '18 at 17:27









          Ale..chenskiAle..chenski

          27.1k11865




          27.1k11865























              2












              $begingroup$

              The datasheet for the part you link (CSS4J-4026) shows the recommended (basically required if you want their 1% accuracy) pad layout.



              enter image description here



              Notably, it is a 4 terminal resistor and the claims about it being "1 mΩ ± 1%" is only with respect to the voltage out the sense terminals when passing current through the shunt terminals. The resistance across the shunt terminals will be larger.



              The model for the resistor as a whole is something like:





              schematic





              simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



              I don't think there are any specific guarantees as to the resistance on the leads, other than they're "low", probably no more than 10-100% the resistance of the shunt itself.






              share|improve this answer









              $endgroup$


















                2












                $begingroup$

                The datasheet for the part you link (CSS4J-4026) shows the recommended (basically required if you want their 1% accuracy) pad layout.



                enter image description here



                Notably, it is a 4 terminal resistor and the claims about it being "1 mΩ ± 1%" is only with respect to the voltage out the sense terminals when passing current through the shunt terminals. The resistance across the shunt terminals will be larger.



                The model for the resistor as a whole is something like:





                schematic





                simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



                I don't think there are any specific guarantees as to the resistance on the leads, other than they're "low", probably no more than 10-100% the resistance of the shunt itself.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$
















                  2












                  2








                  2





                  $begingroup$

                  The datasheet for the part you link (CSS4J-4026) shows the recommended (basically required if you want their 1% accuracy) pad layout.



                  enter image description here



                  Notably, it is a 4 terminal resistor and the claims about it being "1 mΩ ± 1%" is only with respect to the voltage out the sense terminals when passing current through the shunt terminals. The resistance across the shunt terminals will be larger.



                  The model for the resistor as a whole is something like:





                  schematic





                  simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



                  I don't think there are any specific guarantees as to the resistance on the leads, other than they're "low", probably no more than 10-100% the resistance of the shunt itself.






                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$



                  The datasheet for the part you link (CSS4J-4026) shows the recommended (basically required if you want their 1% accuracy) pad layout.



                  enter image description here



                  Notably, it is a 4 terminal resistor and the claims about it being "1 mΩ ± 1%" is only with respect to the voltage out the sense terminals when passing current through the shunt terminals. The resistance across the shunt terminals will be larger.



                  The model for the resistor as a whole is something like:





                  schematic





                  simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



                  I don't think there are any specific guarantees as to the resistance on the leads, other than they're "low", probably no more than 10-100% the resistance of the shunt itself.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Dec 13 '18 at 17:23









                  Nick TNick T

                  11.4k23968




                  11.4k23968






























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