Resistors and Electronics

Resistors are manufactured from wire coated with resistive materials and then sealed with an insulator. The type and corresponding properties of the resistive materials used determine its overall strength. There are different types of resistors, but the most common types are the carbon, metal film, which includes metal oxide and thick film, and wirewound resistors. Selection of one type of resistor over another other depends on the application, cost, and technical specifications of the resistor itself.

The resistors size is dependent on the need. They are available in sizes ranging from 0.01 Ohms to 10 Megaohms. However, there is a lot of flexibility in sizes that are commercially available. The external sealing material is equipped with color coded bands that designate the rating when viewed in a specific sequence. There are four band, five band, and six band color coded options. Each color band represents a numerical value, a resistance multiplier (in Ohms), and a percentage tolerance.

Let’s say you have a 100 Amp current shunt resistor used to measure the current flowing in or out the the battery bank of a renewable energy system, such as solar or wind turbine. You can connect a standard multimeter (0-100mV) to the shunt resistor’s leads to monitor how much current the batteries output or how much current is being used to charge the batteries.

So whether designer, troubleshooter, or electronics hobbyist, having a basic understanding of how a resistors are used in the design of electronic and electrical equipment, can only serve to meet the objectives of the application and bring about a greater appreciation for electronic technology.