Audio Load Resistor with 4 Ohm

The report concerns itself with the measurement of the frequency response of a 4 ohms load resistance for audio amplifier.

For measurements of audio amplifiers are accomplished a multiplicity of measurements under load. The load amounts  in many cases four ohms or eight ohms. For some measurements e.g. also capacities can be connected parallel. Most measurements happen under load, e.g. amplitudes and phase responses or distortion factor measurements.

Requirements of the load resistance

Sufficient size, in order to be able to exhaust problem-free the developing heat dissipation. The heat dissipation should be not a problem for a longer period, e.g.. 1 hour, that is useful for stress-free measuring. Tthe heating up should change the resistance value only insignificantly.

The largest requirement is as constant a frequency response as possible over all tested audio frequencies. A few hundred kHz are a good starting position. Also the phase response should be as constant as possible.

Best resistances for this would be e.g.. 1 or 2 Watt of metal film resistors or bulk foil (unaffordable expensive for this application). A multiplicity of such resistances should be interconnected in such a way that the energy dissipation can be exhausted. This construction would be a quite complex special's building out approx.. 100 - 200 individual resistances.

A simple solution are wirewound resistors. A suitable sent wound wirewound resistor is for many measurements a good solution. For this several types are to be tried. The manufacturers indicate rarely a frequency response for wirewound resistors. This resistances have advantages, like high overload capacity without irreversive damage, small temperature dependence and the possibility of the thermal coupling to a heat sink.

Measurement amplitudes and phase response

As basis serves a series connection from a resistance with the load resistance. The resistance works as current shunt. For the measurement is assumed the wirewound resistor under smaller and under high load behaves similarly. Therefore a simple frequency generator is sufficient as source. As series resistor can be used for example 50 ohms.

Used Test Equipment

Frequency Generator HP 3325A. Meter for resistance measurement HP 3457A. Gain Phase Meter HP 3575A and an additional 50 Ohm resistor.

Execution of the measurement

Common ground of the circuit to a side of the load resistance and to the ground of the generator. The 50 ohms resistance between the load resistance and the output of the generator. Channel A of the HP3575A at the load resistance and channel B to the generator. Provide a mathematical equation of this series connection and solve it on after the amount and phase of the load resistance. The circuit supplied with a constant amplitude of 2.76 V.

Initially measurements

Measured resistance 4 ohms of the load resistance with 21°C ambient exactly to 3.966 ohms of measurements resistance 50 ohms of the resistance in series exactly to 50.1 ohms.

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Fig. 1 shows the amount of the complex impedance of the load resistance. To approx.. the resistance has 100 kHz a Ohm's character and is well suitable thereby as load resistance. Even for the ranges 200 to 400 kHz to use, beyond that is it is still reduced an uncertain affair.

Fig. 2 shows the phase response of the complex load resistance. To approx.. 20 kHz is still excellent the resistance. Only after it its inductive portions begin to appear stronger. In the ranges from several hundred kilohertz is inductive portions ever more dominating.

Fig. 3 shows the amount of the complex load impedance in the range 1 MHz to 13 MHz. The resonant frequency of the resistance is reached with approximately 10 MHz. With this frequency is an impedance of approx.. 1900 ohms effectively. If the frequency continues to rise still, the capacitive portions of the resistance dominate and reduce impedance again enormously. As Ohm's load resistance this construction unit is useless in the frequency ranges shown.

Fig. 4 shows the phase response of the complex load impedance in the range 1 MHz to 13 MHz. Clearly to see already with 1 MHz the high inductive portions. Within the range the phase races to 10 MHz toward capacitive.

Realization from the measurement

The load resistance is as very good to approximately 10 kHz to designate, to 20 kHz as good, to 100 kHz as satisfying beyond that as sufficiently with the increase after insufficient. (reminds me of the school).

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Fig. 5 shows a miserables photo of the 4 ohms load resistance (a better photo comes later). The resistance (body) has a length of approx.. 11.5 cm and is from aluminum manufactured. It is installed on one approx.. 7 kg of heavy aluminum plate, which is used as heat sink. The resistance is loadable after manufacturer data with 250 Watts. The thermal grease and the heat sink, cause that the resistance hardly warms up.