Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

LAOANG CAMPUS
Laoang, Northern Samar

COLLEGE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology

(BSIT)

Learning Module
in EST 101
FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICITY/ELECTRONICS
Module 2: Resistors
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RESISTOR

Resistor – is a device that limits, or resists current. A component made of

materials opposes flow of current and therefore has some value of resistance.

Resistor can be made from many different materials, but the most common is
carbon composition. The current limiting ability or resistance can be varied by
changing the ratio of carbon binding agent. Resistance is measured in ohms,
represented by the Greek symbol Omega (Ω).

There are numerous varieties of resistors and each of these has a useful
purpose:
1. Precision Wire-wound
2. Power-Wire-wound
3. Carbon Composition
4. Carbon Film
5. Metal Film
6. Foil Filament Wound
7. Power Film Resistor

Most of the resistors used in electronics have ‘fixed’ values, but resistors can
also be made which have a controlled variable resistance. These are sometimes called
pots, and they are used for tasks like the volume control on a Hi-Fi amplifier.

Standard Resistor: (A) Actual

Picture (B) Schematic symbol
Different resistor wattage: 1/8,
¼, ½, 1, 2 watts

Two Main Categories of Resistor

1. Linear Resistor – those which obey Ohm’s Law.
2. Non-Linear Resistor – consist of three types in common use:
a. Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
b. Thermistor
c. Voltage-depended Resistor
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Classification of Resistor
A. According to type of material
1. Carbon composition
Carbon Composition Resistors are made either by hot or cold molding
from mixtures of carbon and clay binder. These has become a dominant
discrete resistor mainly for low-cost reliability in general purpose applications
and for its resistive tolerances of ±5% to ±20%. Its resistive value ranges from
10 ohms to megaohms, in power ratings from 1/8 to 4 watts. It has the ability
to withstand higher current surges and ruggedness. It is used only for
commercial but also for military and aerospace applications.

Carbon Composition Resistor Parts

2. Carbon film
Generally, resistors have two main characteristics, resistance and power
rating. Carbon resistor is available in resistance values from tenths ohm (Ω)
to hundreds of megaohm (MΩ). Power rating in watts are available from 1/8
to 5 watts. Carbon resistor is made from carbon graphite, mixed with
powdered insulating materials. This type of resistor offers high resistance,
using low power.

Parts of Carbon Film Resistor

Three distinct types of carbon film resistor

a. The stand film resistor – a circular resistor with two pins extending
from opposite sides or the barrel-shaped resistor.
b. The chip resistor – this type of resistor was introduced in the
late80’s to accommodate for the ever-shrinking computer
components where there can be up to 6 layers per circuit board.
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c. The network resistor – this type of resistor comes in compact form

and can contain up to 12 resistors in a compact space.

Carbon Film Resistor. (A) Standard Film Resistor, (B) Chip Resistor,
(C) Network Resistor

3. Metal film
These are formed by means of vacuum decomposition, a process by
which any of a number of different metal or metal oxide films are deposited on
a suitable insulating mandrel or core. Nickel and chromium are deposited on
the alumina ceramic core and the unit is then subjected to laser trimming. This
is preferred over the alternative methods such as the deposition of tin oxide
on either a glass or ceramic rod, and the screening of cement materials on a
ceramic core.

Parts of Metal Film Resistor

4. Wire wound
In this type of resistor, highly resistive is wrapped round insulating core.
The length of the wire determines the resistance of the device. Insulating cores
are usually made of cement or ceramic materials or just plain paper or pressed
cardboard. Since bare wires are used for desired resistance, the unit is
encased by an insulating material. This type of resistor provides low resistance
with high wattage ranging from 5 to 100 watts or more. They are best choice
in applications where accurate and stable resistance are necessary.

These are resistor in which the resistive element is a length of high

resistance wire or ribbon usually nichrome wound onto an insulating form.
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Wire-wound Resistor (A) actual picture

(B) Schematic Symbol

Different wattage of wire-wound resistor

a. Wire-wound Rheostat
The Wire-wound Sliding Rheostat are wound with the best quality
Copper/Nickel or Nickel/Chromium Alloy Resistance wire having
negligible Temperature-Coefficient, on Vitreous enameled drawn Steel
Tube/High Alumina based Ceramic Tube, fitted with Phosphorous Bronze
or self-lubricating Copper Graphite contact with pressure metal die casted
stands and Bakelite Knob with good finger grip for smooth operation.
Insulation test 2000 VAC.

Wire-wound Rheostat

b. Wire-wound Potentiometer
The Wire-Wound Potentiometer are manufactured in a wide range
starting from 1 watt to 5000 watts. These may be Open Type, Perforated
Type and Graded Type. The standard tolerance is ±10% but closer
tolerance can also be supplied.

Wire-wound potentiometer
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B. According to their tolerance

1. General purpose, 5% or greater
2. Semi-precision, 1% to 5%
3. Precision, 0.5 to 1%
4. Ultra-precision, less than 0.5%

Resistor Reading

Resistor Color Bands

Resistor Color Values

Note:
The wattage rating of the resistor will identify its sizes. The larger the size, the
higher wattage. The smaller the size, the lesser the wattage.

Examples:

1. 4-Band
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2. 5-Band

Some Useful Tips

We, and many others. Were taught a little sentence to remember the sequence
of the resistor colors like Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue,
Violet, Gray, and White, which refers to: “Black Boy Rape Our Young Girl But
Violeta Gives Willingly.” As you will agree this saying no longer applies to the
society we live in today for obvious offending reasons. And we are hesitant to
even mention it but fact is, it was part of our ‘learning’ for decades and so we
decided to mention it for reference purposes only.

Technique on how to read color code on the simple way

for 4-band resistor

Example:
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Technique on how to read resistor color code

on the simple way for 5-band resistor

Note:
kΩ = Kilo ohms (Ω) = 1,000 ohms (Ω)
MΩ = Mega ohms (Ω) = 1,000,000 ohms (Ω)

Example:

Note:
Tolerance – The percentage of change in the value of a resistor
due to manufacturing defect or variation in humidity and temperature.
Therefore the rated resistance value of a resistor is more or less than its
rated value.

Example:
What is the possible resistance value of 100 Ω ±5%

Solution:
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To get familiarize with abbreviation in values, used below 4700 or 4K7,

1000 or 1K, which is all the same. Every thousand (1000) is called a ‘K’
which stands for ‘Kilo’. The ‘M’ stands for ‘Mega’ (million). 1 Mega is
1000K or 1,000,000 ohms. So 4K7 means 4 thousand and 7 hundred or
4700 ohms. 6K8 means 6 thousand and 8 hundred or 6800 ohms. One
more example, 1M2 means 1 million and 200,000 or 1,200,000 ohms.
Here are a couple more: 1K92 = 1.92K = 1920 ohms, 19K3 = 19.3K =
19300 ohms, 1M8 = 1.8M, etc. These abbreviations you find everywhere
in the industry, schematic diagram and whatever. It is normal and takes
a bit of time to get used to.

Wire-Wound Resistor Reading

Wire-wound Resistor Coding

CODES MULTIPLIER TOLERANCE

F --- ±1%
G --- ±2%
J --- ±5%
K 1000 ±10%
M 1000000 ±20%
R --- ---
Wire-wound Resistor Code Table

Resistor Connection
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Example:

Note:
In the parallel resistor connection, the total wattage is the sum of all paralleled
resistor. Example, if each resistor 2-resistor in parallel from our example is 1
watt, the total wattage will be 2 watts but the resistance decreases.

Resistor in Parallel with the same resistance value

How to get the total resistance in parallel with the same value?
Instead of performing the formula for parallel resistance, this is the simple
formula for same resistance in parallel but same result if you perform the long
formula as discuss earlier.
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For two resistor For three resistor For more than three
RT = R/2 RT = R/3 RT = R/n

where:
R = resistor (equal value)
n = number of resistor
RT = Total resistance

Examples:

Given: Given: Given:

Two resistor Three resistor If more than three resistor
R = 220 Ω R = 300 Ω Five resistor
R = 750 Ω
RT = R/2 RT = R/3
RT = 220/2 RT = 300/3 RT = R/n
RT = 110 Ω RT = 100 Ω RT = 750/5
RT = 150 Ω

Resistor in Series-Parallel

Variable Resistor
Variable resistor may be carbon or wire wound. It is enclosed in a metal case
with a shaft extending outside the case for variable control. It may also tapered (rotary
motion) or sliding. The amount of resistance varies from zero to the maximum controls
or trimmers where controlled amount of current or voltage is needed.
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Potentiometer (A) Schematic Symbol, (B) Actual Picture

Trimmer (C) Schematic Symbol, (D) Actual Picture

Different Types of Variable Resistors

A. Basic Types of Potentiometer

1. Single Turn – used for gain, treble, base control in amplifier, brightness,
contrast in TV.
2. Multiple Turn – used for precise setting of resistance
3. Trimmer – used for one time resistance adjustment.

In instances when only two terminals of the variable resistor re used in

series with the load and voltages, the resistor functions as a rheostat or trimmer.
When three terminals are used. Each across the voltage source and the middle
terminal are tapped off, the resistor functions as a potentiometer.
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(A) potentiometer three-lead terminal pointing to its equivalent

schematic symbol pin terminal, (B) potentiometer equivalent circuit to
the two-terminal variable resistor schematic symbol, (C) trimmer
equivalent circuit to the two-terminal variable resistor schematic
symbol

Application:
Usually, used for volume control for audio appliances and varying voltage,
current, light intensity, motor speed, etc.

Potentiometer resistance during tuning

potentiometer’s knob

Where:
R - high resistance

R - low resistance
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Total R – Total Resistance (potentiometer rated resistance value)

Variable Resistor Reading

Indicates the resistance value of the potentiometer

In the other variable resistors, you will also seen (as potentiometer) the value
on its body.

Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)

These are usually based on the fact that a film of cadmium sulphide has a high
resistance in the absence of light but has a reduced resistance when light is directed
on its surface. The dark resistance may be of the order of megaohms and reduced to
a few hundred ohms in daylight.

LDR (A) Actual Picture, (B) Schematic Symbol

The Light-Dependent Resistor can be used in a potential divider network to

cause a voltage to change if the light falling on it changes.

This LDR can be available at sizes of 5mm, 7mm in diameter.

Application
This principle can be used in automatic street light switching or parking light
control and other purposes using light or dim sources.
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LDR Actual Resistance Test using LED as indicator. When flashlight is off

High resistance of the LDR in the figure will produce low light intensity on the
LED when the LDR are not expose into light.

LDR Actual Resistance Test using LED as indicator. When flashlight is on

Low resistance on the LDR (in the figure) will produce high light intensity on
the LED when the LDR are exposed to light.

Thermistor
Thermistor differ from regular resistor in that their resistance is determined by
temperature. They can either be Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) or Negative
Temperature Coefficient (NTC). In PTC units, the resistance goes up when the
temperature goes up. In NTC units, the resistance goes down at the temperature goes
up.

NTC thermistors are temperature dependent semiconductor resistor. Operating

over ranges of -200°C to +1000°C, they are supplied in glass bead, disc, chips and
probe formats.

The excellent combination of price and performance has led to the extensive
use of NTCs in application in such as temperature measurement and control,
temperature compensation, surge suppression and fluid flow measurement.
PTC thermistors are temperature dependent resistors manufactured from
barium titanate and should be chosen when a drastic change in resistance is required
at a specific temperature or current level. PTCs can operate in the following
Applications:

1. Temperature sensing, switching at temperature ranging from 60°C to 180°C,

e.g. protection of windings in electric motors and transformers.
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2. Solid state fuse to protect against excess current levels, ranging from several
mA to several A (25°C ambient) and continuous voltages up to 600V and
higher, e.g. Power supplies for a wide range of electrical equipment.
3. Liquid level sensors.

Thermistor (A) Actual picture, (B) Schematic symbol

Resistance Test using LED as indicator (A) Negative Temperature coefficient,

(B) Positive Temperature Coefficient

Voltage Dependent Resistor (VDR)

Voltage Dependent Resistor (VDR) or sometimes called a Metrosil, the VDR
has a resistance which decreases with increase of applied voltage. This change of
resistance is not linear; doubling the voltage can decrease the resistance to one-tenth
of its original value.

Application
VDR is used in the suppression of voltage surges to protect other circuits, and
they are usually in the form of a disc which is color coded by the manufacturer
to indicate the reference voltage.
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VDR, (A) Actual picture, (B) Schematic symbol

Resistor Troubles

1. Open – Since resistors offer electrical resistance in a circuit, the most common
trouble is open. This means that the resistor offers a very high or infinite
resistance, which does not allow any current to flow through it.

2. Out of Tolerance (Change in Value of Resistance) – when a resistor

functions as a load or a limiting device, usually it generates heat and changes
its resistance value beyond the tolerance, giving a high resistance reading
beyond the color coded value. It may then be contingent to replace the resistor
before it opens.

3. Noise Control (for potentiometer) – In volume or tone control, carbon resistor

are used, since these offer smooth change in resistance. However, when
resistance elements start wearing out because of the sweeping of the wiper,
which results to loose contact of the wiper to the resistance element, the control
becomes noisy.

Remember
1. Basically, resistor are carbon or wire-wound.
2. Resistor color codes are used to place values on carbon resistor.
3. A potentiometer is a three terminal device that divides the voltage across it.
4. A rheostat or trimmer is a two terminal device that limits the total circuit
current and varies series resistance.
5. A potentiometer can be used as a rheostat.
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QUIZ ON RESISTOR

Direction: Write your answer in an A4 size bond paper. Write only the answer in your
paper. It can be hand written or computerized. You can submit by sending to my email
address: lovevaliantted@[Link] or thru my facebook account (Ted Muncada) or
personal delivery.

Test I. Identify the following.

1. An electronic device that limits current.
2. Greek name used to represent resistance.
3. Type of resistor comes in compact form and can contain up to 12 resistor in
compact space.
4. A type of resistor that are laser trimmed to obtain the desired resistance value
before the protective insulation coat is applied.
5. The best type of resistor when need for accurate and stable resistance.
6. The color represents 20% tolerance in color coded resistor.
7. What is the equivalent value for 5K6 ohms?
8. What letter code is 5% tolerance in wire-wounded resistor?
9. What will happen to the total resistance and power of the resistor when if it is
connected in parallel.
10. What do you called on the trouble of resistor if the resistance has big difference
on its rated value?

Test II. Enumerate the following:

1– 2 Main categories of resistor
3– 6 Classification of resistor according to type of material
7 – 10 Classification of resistor according to their tolerance
11 – 13 Three distinct types of carbon film resistor
14 – 16 Basic types of potentiometer
17 – 18 Give the resistor troubles
19 – 20 Give two types of non-linear resistor

Test III. Resistor Reading. Give the value and tolerance of the following resistor

1.
Rated Resistance: ________ ohm
Tolerance: _________
Minimum Value: _________ ohm
Maximum Value: _________ ohm

2.
Rated Resistance: ________ ohm
Tolerance: _________
Minimum Value: _________ ohm
Maximum Value: _________ ohm
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3.
Rated Resistance: ________ ohm
Tolerance: _________
Minimum Value: _________ ohm
Maximum Value: _________ ohm

4.
Rated Resistance: ________ ohm
Tolerance: _________
Minimum Value: _________ ohm
Maximum Value: _________ ohm

5.
Rated Resistance: ________ ohm
Tolerance: _________
Minimum Value: _________ ohm
Maximum Value: _________ ohm

6.
Rated Resistance: ________ ohm
Tolerance: _________
Minimum Value: _________ ohm
Maximum Value: _________ ohm

7.
Rated Resistance: ________ ohm
Tolerance: _________
Minimum Value: _________ ohm
Maximum Value: _________ ohm

8.
Rated Resistance: ________ ohm
Tolerance: _________
Minimum Value: _________ ohm
Maximum Value: _________ ohm

9.

Rated Resistance: ________ ohm

Tolerance: _________

10.

Rated Resistance: ________ ohm

Tolerance: _________
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Test IV. Give the total resistance (RT) of the following connection. Show your
solution.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

Test V. Define the following:

1. Variable Resistor
2. Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
3. Thermistor
4. Positive Temperature Coefficient
5. Voltage Dependent Resistor (VDR)

Prepared by:

THADDEUS L. MUNCADA, MAEd

Asst. Professor I