The Accuracy of Series and Parallel Connections of Four-Terminal Resistors

The range and accuracy of resistance calibration can be increased by the use of series and parallel connections of four-terminal resistors. Low value resistors can be permanently connected in series and reconnected in parallel by using Hamon's1 technique to change resistance level without materially affecting resistance accuracy. The resistors are connected in parallel by attaching shorting bars to one terminal at each end of each resistor and attaching matched resistors in series with the other terminals. High accuracy can be attained even though lead and connection resistance are relatively high. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical base and an error analysis to justify the use of the series-to-parallel transfer technique at low resistance levels. The analysis uses a four-terminal equivalent circuit suggested by Searle.2 The accuracy of series and parallel connections of groups of like resistors is investigated in terms of the equivalent circuit. Procedures are developed for determining the connection accuracy of a set of resistors in parallel or series.