Resistor Networks & Arrays

Resistor arrays, also known as resistor networks, are essential components in many electronic circuits. They consist of multiple resistors packaged together within a single chip or case, helping to save space and simplify circuit design.
These arrays can contain two or more resistors in either surface-mount or through-hole packages. The resistors may be isolated from each other or interconnected in various configurations, such as R2R ladders (used in digital-to-analog converters), bussed networks, voltage dividers, dual terminators, or decade resistor circuits. Resistance values can range from zero ohms (acting as a jumper) up to 5 GΩ, with tolerances from 0.1% to 15%.
Resistor networks and arrays—along with capacitor networks and combined resistor/capacitor arrays—are typically manufactured using thick film or thin film technologies. They offer flexible mounting options, including through-hole, surface-mount, and wire-bondable packages.

Common Configurations of Resistor Arrays

Series: Resistors are connected end-to-end, so total resistance is the sum of each resistor’s value.

Parallel: Resistors share both terminal connections, resulting in a total resistance that’s less than the smallest resistor in the array.

Combination: This configuration mixes series and parallel resistors, requiring calculation rules based on the specific arrangement to find total resistance.

These various configurations enable resistor arrays to meet diverse electrical requirements across a wide range of applications.