The effect of high voltage pulses on PVC-graphite thick film resistors

Abstract

This paper describes the effect of application of high voltages (DC, AC and pulses) to polymer thick film resistors. It has been found that the resistance generally decreases with increase in number of pulses or pulse width, when the pulse amplitude is above the threshold value. It has also been found that the resistance decreases with increasing pulse amplitude above a certain pulse amplitude (threshold). When continuous voltage (DC or AC) of magnitude greater than a threshold value is applied, the resistance continuously decreases leading to a runaway process .