What material are alloy shunt strips typically made of?

Alloy shunt strips are typically made of Manganin, which is a specific alloy that combines copper, manganese, and nickel. Manganin is chosen for its excellent properties, especially its low temperature coefficient of resistance, which means that it maintains a stable resistance across varying temperatures. This stability is crucial for ensuring accurate current measurements, especially in precision electrical measurements or applications such as shunts used in current measuring devices.

Additionally, Manganin has a relatively high resistivity compared to pure copper, allowing it to be used effectively in shunt configurations while minimizing power loss due to heat generation. This makes it an ideal choice for demanding electrical applications where precision and reliability are paramount. Other materials, while potentially useful in different contexts, do not possess the same combination of properties that make Manganin the preferred material for shunt strips.