Wirewound Variable Resistors Market (Updated Version Available)

Key Market Overview:

Wirewound variable resistors market size was worth over USD 1.3 Billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach over USD 1.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

Wirewound variable resistors are electrical components that are used to control the flow of electrical current in a circuit. The resistors consist of a resistive element made of a coiled wire which is wound around a cylindrical former. The wire used in such resistors is typically made of materials with high resistivities, such as manganin or Nichrome, to ensure that the resistance of the component is stable over time and temperature. The wire is wound around the former in a precise manner to ensure that the resistance remains consistent along the length of the element. The resistance of the wire is adjusted by sliding a wiper contact along the length of the resistive element, effectively changing the amount of wire that is in the circuit.

Further, wirewound variable resistors are typically used in applications that require precise control over the flow of electrical current. Examples of such applications include volume controls in audio equipment, gain controls in amplifiers, and brightness controls in lighting circuits. The resistors are also commonly used as rheostats to control the flow of current in motors, heaters, and other electrical devices. Wirewound variable resistors are highly durable and can withstand high temperatures and high levels of current. Such resistors are also highly accurate and provide a linear resistance response, which makes them ideal for use in precision control applications. Furthermore, wirewound variable resistors are also available in a wide range of resistance values, from a few ohms to several mega ohms, in terms of favorable usage in a variety of different applications.

Wirewound Variable Resistors Report Coverage:

Report Attributes	Report Details
Study Timeline	2016-2030
Market Size in 2030 (USD Billion)	1.8 Billion
CAGR (2022-2030)	4.3 %
Base Year	2021
By Type	Precision Wirewound, and Power Wirewound
By Application	Current Sensors (Defibrillators, ECG/EEG Machines, Smart Meters, Grid-Tied Renewable Energy Systems) Potentiometers (Telecommunication Base Systems, Audio Equipment, Inverters for Solar Energy, Automotive Ignition Systems, Cranes and Elevators, Others) Temperature Sensors (Electric Motors, Engine, Thermodilution Catheters, Others)
By Geography	Asia-Pacific [China, Southeast Asia, India, Japan, Korea, Western Asia] Europe [Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Turkey] North America [United States, Canada, Mexico] Middle East & Africa [GCC, North Africa, South Africa] South America [Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Peru]
Key Players	Ohmite, TT Electronics, Riedon Inc., Precision Resistive Products, Inc., KWK Resistors, NTE Electronics Inc., KRL Bantry Components Inc., Novotechnik US Inc., Voltronics, Inc., Jameco Electronics, Bourns, Alpha Electronics

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Market Dynamics:

Driver:

The increased growth of the electronics industry drives the demand for wirewound variable resistors due to the wide usage of a variety of electronic devices such as audio equipment, amplifiers, and lighting circuits. Further, advancements in technology resulted in the development of more advanced and efficient wirewound variable resistors which are capable of handling higher levels of current and temperature and are more accurate and reliable, leading to increased adoption within several applications. Moreover, the rising demand for energy-efficient products also drives the market demand for such resistors due to the usage of such resistors in applications such as lighting and heating controls to regulate the flow of electrical current.

Restraint:

The availability of alternative resistors such as chip resistors, metal oxide, and metal film resistors restricts the wide adoption of wirewound variable resistors in terms of high costs, overload capabilities, and power rating. Furthermore, a limited temperature range, power handling capability, and tolerance also hamper the wirewound variable resistors market growth.

Wirewound Variable Resistors Market Segmentation:



By Types

The type segment is bifurcated into precision wirewound, and power wirewound. The precision wirewound segment is expected to contribute substantial shares to the market growth during the forecast period. The high demand for precision wire wound resistors in measuring bridges and calibration equipment in terms of improved stability for variations in the required resistance range according to circuit conditions supports segment growth. Also, power wirewound segment is also expected to support the market growth in terms of volume. Power wire wound resistors, used for high power applications, range from 0.5W to over 100W. Such resistors are strong, able to withstand temperatures up to 300°C, and come with either silicon or enamel coatings. Most have ceramic cores and ceramic coatings for protection of the wiring. Thus, various industrial settings opt for such resistors due to their ability for vertical or horizontal mounting.

By Application

The application segment is separated into current sensors, potentiometers, and temperature sensors. The potentiometers segment is expected to contribute the largest shares to the wirewound variable resistors market growth. Such potentiometers use materials such as platinum, nickel-chromium, and nickel-copper to offer sufficient output without any further requirement of amplification. Thus, the potentiometers are used for various applications such as linear displacement measurement, rotary displacement measurement, liquid level measurements using floats, volume control, brightness control, and others. Moreover, current sensors are also anticipated to support market growth in terms of volume. Current sensors have multiple uses including charge integration of rechargeable batteries, measuring correct supply, and controlling complex loads from electric motors. Thus, increased demand for such resistors in terms of diagnosis of control systems, and monitoring their conditions support the segment growth.

By Region

The regional segment comprises North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities for market growth during the forecast period. The large-scale availability of raw materials, especially in Taiwan, China, and India results is expected to support the market growth in terms of large-scale off-shore manufacturing. In 2020, Chinese Taipei ($16.7 million), accounted for the top exporter along with China as the top importer with products worth $6.15 million and the top exporter with products worth $17 million. Also, in 2020, the Philippines was the top importer of wirewound variable resistors worth $16.2M coupled with Thailand ($9.57M).



Furthermore, Europe is also expected to support market growth in terms of value and volume. The high usage and production of technologically advanced consumer electronics in countries such as the UK and Germany with exports over $ 6.29 million is estimated to boost the wirewound variable resistors market demand in this region. In the context of North America, increased expenditures by market players in terms of production capacity in countries such as Canada and the US are projected to create opportunities for market growth in this region. In 2020, the United States was accountable for exports worth $9.23 million combined with imports worth $13.5 million.

Wirewound Variable Resistors Market Competitive Landscape:

The wirewound variable resistor market is highly competitive, with a number of large and small players operating globally. Key players in the market include Bourns, Inc., TT Electronics, Honeywell International, Inc., and Alpha Electronics. These players focus on product innovation and differentiation, as well as strategic partnerships and collaborations, to maintain their market positions. Mentioned are industry players currently operating in the market circumstances–

Ohmite
TT Electronics
Riedon Inc.
Honeywell Inc.
Precision Resistive Products, Inc.
KWK Resistors
NTE Electronics Inc.
Alpha Electronics
KRL Bantry Components Inc.
Novotechnik US Inc.
Voltronics, Inc.
Jameco Electronics
Bourns Inc.

Recent Developments:

In April 2020, TT Electronics enlarged its selection of variable resistors, offering the professional audio industry a variety of choices. The expansion includes the addition of five types of rotary potentiometers, four kinds of slide potentiometers, and a series of encoders.

In October 2020, TT Electronics has undertaken the task of creating a brand-new line of ultra-low profile, slim resistor products in response to an increasing demand in the market, which is expected to grow in the next few years.

In January 2021, TT Electronics has declared the end of production for its RB Series Vitreous Enameled Wirewound Resistors, due to declining sales and demand, making it economically unviable to continue manufacturing. A complete list of affected part numbers and recommended alternatives will be provided by the firm in due period.

In April 2022, TT Electronics introduced its latest product line, the WHS-UL high surge fusible resistor family. This new series of flameproof wirewound resistors offers a combination of high surge tolerance and reliable line voltage fusing. The WHS-UL inrush resistors provide improved reliability, improved product safety and make it easier to get UL approval for use in various power supply and monitoring applications.