It'd be fine if components had each spec directly on them when putting together a circuit. Their resistive element is manufactured from a mixture of finely ground carbon dust or graphite (similar to pencil lead) and a non-conducting ceramic (clay) powder to bind it all together. Carbon resistors are an affordable general purpose resistor used in electrical systems and circuits. Composition Types of ResistorĬarbon Resistors are the most common type of Composition Resistors. In order to stay on topic we will keep the resistor type section very short. There are a large variety of fixed and variable resistor types with different construction styles available for each group. Semiconductor Resistor – High frequency/precision surface-mount thin film technology.Wire-wound Resistor – Metallic bodies for heatsink mounting, very high wattage ratings.Film or Cermet Resistor – Made from conductive metal oxide paste, very low wattage values.Carbon Composition Resistor – Made of carbon dust or graphite paste, low wattage values.The symbol commonly used in schematic and electrical drawings for a Resistor can either be a “zig-zag” type line or a rectangular box.Īll modern fixed value resistors can be classified into four broad groups:
#Resistor color code mnemonic code
It may seem like cheating but with one of our products on your workbench, you will always have a resistor code handy. If you are still confused or just don't want to bother learning the mnemonic, you can always check out one of our Resist Confusion Products. We hope this article cleared up some resistor confusion for you. Make sure to use the image above to determine what colors correspond to which values and not to rely on the mnemonic. One thing to keep in mind is that the mnemonic applies only to the first few bands of the resistors, the last two bands are always the multiplier (2nd to last) and tolerance (last). While it may not be electronically themed, the mnemonic definitely makes it easier to memorize the resistor color codes. One of our favorite mnemonics, inspired by the Russians, that interprets the color code chart to a phrase is: One useful trick that you may have practiced using in school is coming up with a mnemonic to help. Memorizing these resistor color codes can be frustrating, to say the least. There are Resistor color code guides for 4-band, 5-band, 6-band even those pesky SMT ( Surface Mount Components) 1 very important thing is that you must eliminate a resistor if you're uncertain of the value before applying it to a circuit. It's is critical you use a multimeter to double check the resistor value when putting it in your circuit. Being aware of what resistor color codes equate to which resistance values can certainly equate to the loss of hundreds of dollars! For more help have a peek at our Resistor Color Code cup which will help keep you awake and resist confusion. ?ĭiscerning the colors on a resistor may be a tricky matter. Resistor color codes and capacitor values might be a challenging affair. Beginners Guide to Cryptocurrency: What is Bitcoin?.
#Resistor color code mnemonic software