Resistor Colour Code - Colour Chart, FAQs
The resistor color code is a system that is used to find out the value of resistance and tolerance of any resistor. This method uses a table that includes color bands with their respective values. In this article, we are going to learn about resistor color codes, resistance bands, resistance values, resistance band color codes, and resistor color coding formulas, and we will examine the color code chart.
This Story also Contains
- Resistor color code
- Resistance color code chart
- Reading a resistor color code
Resistor color code
In the electrical experiments, resistances starting from about 0.1 Ω to 1000 Ω are widely used. These types of resistances are generally made of copper or any other conducting metal or alloy. Usually in electronics goods, resistances are less than 1000 ohms. Nowadays, high-resistance graphite and gas carbon are used widely. These resistors are known as carbon resistors. The allotropes of carbon are a thousand times greater than metal. Carbon is very effective as an element of high resistance. The carbon resistors are cheaper than metal resistors.
Color code of a carbon resistor
A cylindrical shell of a bad conductor is used to make a carbon resistor. The value of resistance can be determined by calculating the color codes drawn on the resistor. Two conducting metal wires are taken out from either side of the shell along its axis, through which the resistor is connected to the external circuit. The fourth color is drawn apart from the three consecutive colors. From the above diagram, we can see that the yellow color is apart from the two red and brown colors. From the colors of the resistor, we can calculate the resistance of the resistor.
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Resistance color code chart
Resistance color code charts or resistor color code calculators are used to calculate the resistance and tolerance values of resistors. There are 10 signal digits from 0 to 9, which correspond to 10 colors.
| Color | Digits | Multiplier | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 0 | $10^0$ | - |
| Brown | 1 | $10^1$ | ± 1% |
| Red | 2 | $10^2$ | ± 2% |
| Orange | 3 | $10^3$ | - |
| Yellow | 4 | $10^4$ | - |
| Green | 5 | $10^5$ | - |
| Blue | 6 | $10^6$ | - |
| Violet | 7 | $10^7$ | - |
| Grey | 8 | $10^8$ | - |
| White | 9 | $10^9$ | - |
| Gold | - | $10^{-1}$ | ±5% |
| Silver | - | $10^{-2}$ | ±10% |
As shown in the table, different colors represent different values in the resistor color code. The gold color code is the multiplier to the resistance value. The black color code is 0, the brown color code is 1, the red color code is 2, the orange color code is 3, the yellow color code is 4, the green color code is 5, and so on. It is the resistor color code calculator.
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Reading a resistor color code
According to the given diagram of the resistor
Red, blue, violet, gold
For red and blue, we will put the values of the digit; for violet, we will write the multiplier; and for gold, we will write the tolerance.
The red color code is 2
For the blue digit, it is 6.
For violet, the digit is 7, so the multiplier is $10^7$.
For gold, the tolerance is ±5%
So the resistance of the given resistor, red, blue, violet, and gold, will be (26×$10^7$) ±5% Ω
How to remember the sequence of the color code:
To remember the color code sequence of the color code given above, by the sentence given below,
B B ROY of Great Britain has a very Good Wife wearing a Gold and Silver necklace.
Tolerance:
Tolerance is the product of the value of the resistor and the tolerance band value.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A short-circuited resistor may have discoloration or unreadable color bands.
It is the acceptable deviation from the actual value of resistance of any resistor.
To test any particular resistor, we need a multimeter. A good-condition resistor will show values in Ω, KΩ, and MΩ. While, if the resistor is not in proper condition, then the multimeter shows 0 or 1.
To identify the value of any resistor, readings should be noted from left to right, and calculations should be performed accordingly.
Radio Manufacturers Association (RMA) invented resistor colour code.
In the 1920s the resistor colour code was invented.
Resistors are small. In such a small space, it is hard to write the values of the resistors so resistors are colour-coded.
Brown, Black and brown and gold (as tolerance factor) will be the resistor code of 100 Ω.
Carbon resistors are used most commonly than metal resistors because they are cheaper than metal resistors. Also, they are smaller in size so carbon resistor colour codes can be easily analyzed.
As reported by wire colour code India, the red colour signifies live power, the black colour indicates neutral and the green colour shows the earthing.