The concept behind a shunt resistor
The term &quot;shunt&quot; is strictly context-based.
However, shunt resistors most often have a very low resistance, because they are most often used to make current measurements. Such low resistances may have four terminals: two to make external circuit connections, and two for measurement: This shunt has two large terminals on top for external circuit connections, and two smaller screw terminals on the side for measurement. It may be connected to a specified amp meter (ammeter), or voltage can be measured from screw-terminal-to-screw-terminal. But its basic electrical property is the resistance of the flat metal bridge between the large terminal blocks.