Poly-Technique University/ Duhok 2019-2020

Chemical Engineering department 3rd Year

EXPERIMENT NO (1)
Resistors Color Code
Objective
To learn reading resistors values using color coding bands and become familiar
with the measuring of resistances using Digital Multi-Meter (DMM).

Theory
The resistor is perhaps the most basic component among all electronic devices.
Its fundamental attribute is the restriction of electrical current flow. Resistance is
measured in Ohms(Ω). The measurement of resistance in unpowered circuits can be
performed with the digital multi-meter. Like all components, resistors cannot be
manufactured to perfection. Thus, there is always some difference with the true value
of the component when compared to its nominal value. For high precision resistors,
typically +1% tolerance or better, the nominal value is usually printed directly on the
component. Normally, general purpose resistors, i.e. those worse than +1% tolerance,
usually color code is used to indicate their values.

The color coding system typically uses 4 color bands. The first two bands indicate the
precision values, while the third band indicates the power of ten applied (i.e. the
number of zeroes to the right). The fourth band indicates the tolerance. It is possible
to find resistors with five bands but they will not be examined in this exercise.
Examples are shown below:

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Poly-Technique University/ Duhok 2019-2020
Chemical Engineering department 3rd Year

Each color in the code represents a number. It starts with black and ends with white,
going through the rainbow as shown in the figure below:

Example:
A resistor with the color code brown-red-orange-silver would correspond to 1 2
followed by 3 zeroes, or 12000 Ohms (more conveniently, 12 kΩ) and the tolerance
would be 10% of the 12000 Ohms. This means the actual value of any particular
resistor with this code could be any value between 12000 – 1200 = 10800, to
12000+1200 = 13200 or [10800Ω ≤ brown-red-orange-silver ≤13200Ω]. Similarly, a
470 kΩ 5% resistor would have the color code yellow-violet-yellow-gold.

Equipment
(1) Digital Multi-Meter (DMM).
(2) Sample of resistors.

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Poly-Technique University/ Duhok 2019-2020
Chemical Engineering department 3rd Year

Procedure
1. Given the nominal values and tolerances in Table 1.1, determine and record the
corresponding color code bands.

Value Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4

27 10%
56 10%
180 5%
390 10%
680 5%
3.6 k 10%
7.5 k 5%
820 k 10%
2.2 M 20 %
Table 1.1

2. Given the color codes in Table 1.2, determine and record the nominal value,
tolerance and the minimum and maximum acceptable values.

Colors Nominal Tolerance Minimum Maximum

red-red-black-silver
blue-gray-black-gold
brown-green-brown-gold
orange-orange-brown-silver
green-blue-brown –gold
brown-red-red–silver
red-violet-red–silver
gray-red-red–gold
orange-orange-orange–silver
blue-gray-yellow–none
Table 1.2

3. Obtain a resistor equal to the first value listed in Table 1.3. Determine the
minimum and maximum acceptable values based on the nominal value and tolerance.
Record these values in Table 1.3. Using the DMM, measure the actual value of the
resistor and record it in Table1.3. Determine the deviation percentage of this
component and record it in Table1.3. The deviation percentage can be found using
the following equation: Deviation% = [(measured – nominal) / nominal] × 100.
Encircle the deviation value if the resistor is out of tolerance.

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Poly-Technique University/ Duhok 2019-2020
Chemical Engineering department 3rd Year

4. Repeat Step 3 for the remaining resistors in Table 1.3.

value Minimum Maximum Measured Deviation

5.6 5%
10 5%
33 5%
150 5%
380 5%
1 k 5%
10 k 5%
4.7 k 5%
100 k 5%
470 k 5%
Table 1.3

5. Measure the resistance between your hands by holding each lead of the DMM with
your fingers, begin with your fingers dry first and then wet.

Discussion
1. What is the largest deviation in Table 1.3? Would it ever be possible to find a value
that is outside the stated tolerance? Why?

2. Are the measured values of Table 1.3 represent the exact values of the resistors
being tested? why?

3. Is there a difference between the resistance of your body when measured with your
fingers dry and when wet? why?

4. From procedure step (5), if you touch the mains (240V AC) with your hand wet,
how much would be the electrical current that may flow through your body?

5. What is the color code for (1 Ω) resistor?

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