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Understanding Resistors in Circuits

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
536 views7 pages

Understanding Resistors in Circuits

Uploaded by

6qf7yt2sxc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1

RESISTOR:
The term "resistor" refers to a device that acts as a two-terminal passive electrical component that
is used to limit or regulate the flow of electric current in electrical circuits. And it also allows us to
introduce a controlled amount of resistance into an electrical circuit. The most important and
commonly used components in an electronic circuit are resistors.
A resistor's main job is to reduce current flow and lower voltage in a specific section of the circuit.
It's made up of copper wires that are wrapped around a ceramic rod and coated with insulating paint.
The basic idea is known to all about how electricity flows through an electronic circuit. Here, two
categories can be identified which are conductors and insulators. Insulators do not allow the flow of
electrons, but the conductor does. However, the resistor determines the amount of electricity that
is allowed to pass through them. The total voltage passes through when it is passed through a
conductor like the metal; by introducing the resistors, the amount of voltage and current can be
controlled.

The ease at which the electrons will allow the electricity to flow through it is known as resistance.

An insulator has better resistance than the conductor, and the term resistance is defined as the
electrical quantity used by the resistor to control the flow of electrons.

What is Resistance?

Based on Ohm's law named after German Physicist Georg Simon Ohm, the resistance is defined
as follows:

As per the Ohm's Law, the voltage V across a resistor is directly proportional to the current I flowing
through it. Here, the resistance R is constantly proportional.

Therefore, V = I x R

Resistor Unit

The SI unit of resistance is known as Ohm Ω. Kiloohms KΩ, megaohms MΩ, milliohm, and so on
are known as the higher multiple and sub-multiple values of Ohm.

The voltage required for creating 1 ampere of current to flow through the circuit is known as the
resistance. For example, if we have to create 1 ampere of current flow through a circuit by 100 volts,
then the resistance is 100 ohms.

Each of the lines coming from the squiggle is the resistor's terminals (or rectangle). These are the
wires that connect the circuit to the rest of the components. Both a resistance value and a name
are commonly added to resistor circuit symbols. The ohms value is obviously important for both
analysing and actually constructing the circuit.

Reference: EE Power @ Google


2

How does a Resistor Work?

Water flowing through the pipe can be used as an example to explain the working of the resistor.
Consider a pipe through which the water flows. Now, as the diameter of the pipe is reduced, the
flow of the water will be reduced. Further, as the pressure is increased, the force of the water is
increased, and energy is dispersed as heat. With this example, the force applied to the water is
similar to the current flowing through the resistance. The voltage can resemble the pressure applied.

Working Principle of Resistor

The resistor absorbs the electrical energy in the process where it acts as a hindrance to the flow of
electricity by reducing the voltage, and it is dissipated as heat. In today's world of electronic circuits,
the heat dissipation is typically a fraction of a watt.

Ohm's law states that if I is the current flowing through the resistor in amperes, and R is the
resistance in ohms, then V is the voltage drop that is imposed by the resistor (it is the electrical
potential difference between the two contacts that are attached.

V = IR
Another way of saying this is that the 1Ω resistor will allow a current of 1 amp when there is a
capacity difference between the ends of the resistor of 1 volt.

If P is the power in watts dissipated by the resistor, in a DC circuit:

P=VxI

By substitution of Ohm's law, we can express power (watts) in terms of current and resistance:
P = I2 R
We can also express power (watts) in terms of voltage and resistance:

P = V2×R
These alternative equations can be used when you do not know the value of the voltage drop or the
current, respectively.

Approximately similar relationships exist when using alternating current, although the power will be
a more complex function of the resistor.

Resistor Series and Parallel Circuits

There are cases in which an electrical circuit might have two or more resistors. They can be
connected in series and parallel ways.

The resistors, when connected in the series path, are known as a series connection, and the current
flowing through them will be the same. The sum of the voltage across each resistor will be equal to
the voltage across the resistors. Here is a diagram of resistors connected in series. In a series
connection, the three resistors named R1 + R2 and R3 and total resistance is given by:

Reference: EE Power @ Google


3

Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3
The series in which the resistors are connected in a parallel is known as a parallel connection. Here,
the voltage applied across each component remains the same. The sum of the currents across
each resistor is equal to the current across the series.

The below diagram shows the parallel-series connection of resistors.


Here, the three resistors named R1+R2 and R3 are connected.
The total resistance is given by

Power Dissipated in a Resistor

The below equation will give you the value of the power dissipation through a resistor.

Power P = I2R = VI = V2
The first equation was obtained from Joule's first law, while the other two were derived from Ohm's
law.

Types of Resistors
Resistors are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Common varieties that are offered are
through-hole and surface mount. A static resistor, a normal resistor, a customized resistor, or a pack
of variable resistors are all examples of resistors
The following are the two basic types of resistors:

1) Linear Resistor
Linear resistors have values that fluctuate when the temperature and voltage applied to them
change. Linear resistors are divided into two categories:
Fixed resistors are those that have a fixed value that cannot be changed. The following are
the several types of fixed resistors:
• Resistors with a carbon content
• Wire-wound resistors are a form of wound resistor
• Thin-film resistors
• Resistors with a thick film

2) Non-Linear Resistor
Reference: EE Power @ Google
4

Ohm's law does not apply to resistor values, which alter with temperature and applied
voltage. The following are the numerous types of non-linear resistors:
• Thermistors
• Varisters
• Light dependent resistors (LDR) or Photo resistors are light sensitive devices most
often used to indicate the presence or absence of light, or to measure the light
intensity.

Resistor Applications
Resistors are used in the following ways:
• In shunt with ampere meter applications where balanced current regulation, high sensitivity,
and precise measurement are required, wire-wrapped resistors are used.
• Photo resistors are used in flame detectors, burglar alarms, and photographic devices,
among other things.
• Resistors are used to control temperature and voltmeter readings.
• Digital multimeters, amplifiers, telecommunications, and oscillators all employ resistors.
• Modulators, demodulators, and transmitters all use them.

COLOR CODING OF RESISTORS;

Reference: EE Power @ Google


5

The four band color code is the most common variation. These resistors have two bands for the
resistance value, one multiplier and one tolerance band. In the example shown here, the 4 bands
are green, blue, red and gold. By using the color code chart, one finds that green stands for 5 and
blue for 6. The third band is the multiplier, with red representing a multiplier value of 2 (10 2).
Therefore, the value of this resistor is 56 · 10 2 = 56 · 100 = 5600 Ω. The gold band means that the
resistor has a tolerance of 5%. The resistance value lies therefore between 5320 and 5880 Ω (5560
± 5%). If the tolerance band is left blank, the result is a 3 band resistor. This means that the
resistance value remains the same, but the tolerance is 20%.

Reference: EE Power @ Google


6

Resistors with high precision have an extra band to indicate a third significant digit. Therefore, the
first three bands indicate the significant digits, the fourth band is the multiplication factor, and the
fifth band represents the tolerance. For the example shown here: brown (1), yellow (4), violet (7),
black (x 100 = x1), green (0.5%) represents a 147 Ω resistor with a 0.5% tolerance.
There are exceptions to this 5-band color system. For example, sometimes the extra band may
indicate failure rate (military specification) or temperature coefficient (older or specialized resistors).
Please read the subsection “Color Code Exceptions" below for more information.

Reference: EE Power @ Google


7

Resistors with 6 bands are usually for high precision resistors that have an additional band to specify
the temperature coefficient (ppm/˚C = ppm/K). The most common color for the sixth band is brown
(100 ppm/˚C). This means that for a temperature change of 10 ˚C, the resistance value can change
1000 ppm = 0.1%. For the 6 band resistor example shown above: orange (3), red (2), brown (1),
brown (x10), green (1%), red (50 ppm/°C) represents a 3.21 kΩ resistor with a 1% tolerance and
a 50 ppm/°C temperature coefficient.
Color Code Exceptions

Reliability band

Resistors that are produced according to military specifications, sometimes include an extra band
to indicate reliability. This is specified in failure rate (%) per 1000 hours of service. This is rarely
used in commercial electronics. Most often the reliability band can be found on four band
resistors. More information about the reliability can be found in the US military handbook MIL-
HDBK-199
Single black band or zero-ohm resistor
A resistor with a single black band is called a zero-ohm resistor. Principally it is used as a wire link
that functions to connect traces on a printed circuit board (PCB). Using the resistor package allows
the same automated pick-and-place machines to place the components on a circuit board.
Deviating colors

For high voltage resistors, the colors gold and silver are often replaced with yellow and gray. This
is to prevent having metal particles in the coating.
Resistor Materials

Resistors can be produced in several ways based on different materials. These different materials
all have their own characteristics. Carbon film resistors are one of the most common resistor types.
Other resistor material types described in the Resistor Guide include: carbon composition
resistors, metal film resistors, metal oxide film resistors, foil resistors and wire-wound resistors.
Resistor Applications

Resistors are used in numerous applications, including virtually every circuit and electric device.
When used, they are often connected in series or in parallel. A frequent application in hobby
projects is to use a resistor with an LED to limit the current that will flow through the LED. A resistor
can also be used to measure the current in a circuit; this is done using a shunt resistor.

Reference: EE Power @ Google

Common questions

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A resistor regulates the flow of electric current by introducing resistance, which impedes the flow of electrons. This is analogous to reducing the diameter of a water pipe, which limits water flow. When pressure (voltage) is increased, the force (current) increases, and energy is dissipated as heat, akin to fluid dynamics .

In series connections, resistors add up to increase total resistance (R_total = R1 + R2 + R3), resulting in reduced current. In parallel connections, the inverse of total resistance equals the sum of the inverses of individual resistances, allowing greater current flow as the overall resistance decreases .

The resistance value determines how much current is impeded, directly impacting the voltage across it according to Ohm's Law. The tolerance indicates the expected variation in resistance, affecting precision and stability. A low tolerance signifies precise resistance essential for high-precision applications, whereas high tolerance results in more variation, suitable for less critical operations .

Resistors are used in various applications such as balancing current in ammeters, controlling temperature and voltage readings, and as shunt resistors for current measurement. They are essential in digital multimeters, amplifiers, telecommunications, oscillators, modulators, and are often used with LEDs to regulate current flow and prevent damage .

Ohm's Law states that the voltage (V) across a resistor is directly proportional to the current (I) flowing through it, where V = I x R. Power dissipation (P) in a resistor can be derived using Ohm's Law. P = V x I, substituting V = I x R gives P = I^2 x R or P = V^2 / R .

Color coding in resistors allows for easy identification of resistance and tolerance values through a series of colored bands. Each color represents a digit or multiplier used in calculating the resistance value. For example, a resistor with bands green-blue-red-gold represents a resistance of 5600 Ω with a 5% tolerance .

A resistor's power rating indicates the maximum power it can dissipate without damage, expressed in watts. Exceeding this rating leads to overheating, potential failure, and circuit damage as the material might degrade or catch fire under excessive thermal conditions .

Fixed resistors have a constant resistance value used for predictable, unchanging operations such as setting bias. Variable resistors, like potentiometers, allow resistance adjustment for controlling signals, volumes, or tuning frequencies in circuits .

Linear resistors have a constant value and a linear relationship between voltage and current, examples include carbon composition resistors and wire-wound resistors. Non-linear resistors have resistance values that change with voltage and temperature, examples include thermistors and light-dependent resistors (LDRs).

Temperature changes can alter a resistor's resistance due to the temperature coefficient, impacting precision by causing resistance drift. High precision resistors use materials with low-temperature coefficients and may include additional bands indicating ppm/°C to mitigate temperature effects and enhance stability in sensitive applications .

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