These are popular names of resistors that are used for current (voltage) control, overcurrent limitation, and residual quantity detection of battery. MPR series, NMS series and MVR Series of Microhm Electronics are utilzed as current sensing resistor  and Shunt Resistor MMS series are wellkown in many fields, especially for automotives.

 
Current sensing resistor is connected in series to the circuit and it converts current-voltage in accordance with Ohm’s law. On the other hand, “Shunt” originally means “divert aside” and “divide flow”. Shunt resistor means a resistor that is connected in parallel with the circuit (load) in order to expand and convert the measurement range of current value. In this way, each resistor has its own meaning and usage, but recently these words are used without distinction as terms that describe the same function and product.  Also, there is no clear definition or difference in specification and structure between them.
 
Current sensing/Shunt resistors are essential for optimum circuit control but these resistors themselves consume power. The electric power is P＝I2×R（W).  In order to prevent increase of power consumption owing to low drive voltage and large current of semiconductor, developments for reduction of resistance value and increase of power (current) of resistors have been moving ahead.


Current sensing/Shunt resistors of Microhm Electronics are mainly utilized in following applications:
・In-vehicle（hybrid car, electric car）
・Home electric appliances, AV systems in general
・PC, mobile phone, mobile terminal
・Home power generation system, electrical storage device
・Electric tools