niederohmiger

Niederohmiger is a German adjective used in electronics to describe components, circuits, or connections that have a relatively low electrical resistance. It is the comparative form of niederohmig, formed from the prefix nieder- meaning “low” and Ohm, the unit of electrical resistance. The term is commonly found in technical writing and product specifications to contrast with hochohmig (high-resistance).

Usage and typical values: In practice, niederohmige components have resistance values that are small compared with typical signal amplitudes or with high-resistance components. Values commonly range from well below 1 ohm to several tens of ohms, depending on the application. Examples include low-ohmic resistors used as current shunts, power resistors in supply lines, and low-impedance paths in PCBs or wiring.

Design considerations: Low resistance reduces voltage drop and increases current handling, but it raises power dissipation at a given voltage and makes the circuit more sensitive to temperature and parasitic effects. Tolerances, temperature coefficients, and inductance in leads or traces are relevant when selecting niederohmige elements. Thermal drift and current noise can also be factors in precision applications.

Etymology and usage notes: The term derives from nieder- “low” and Ohm, with the suffix -ig forming adjectives in German. The form niederohmiger is the masculine singular comparative, used when referring to a specific noun such as “ein niederohmiger Widerstand.” The concept is commonly contrasted with hochohmig, or high-resistance, in technical discussions.