Lesson 4

Identification, Preparation and Testing of

Electronic Components - Resistor

Let Us Study

Learning Objectives:

After reading this information sheet, you are expected to identify,

prepare and test of electronic components – Resistor.

Resistors
• A resistor is an electronic component that resists the
flow of electrical current.
• A resistor is typically used to control the amount of
current that is flowing in a circuit.
• Resistance is measured in units of ohms () and named after George Ohm,
whose law (Ohm’s Law) defines the fundamental relationship between
voltage, current, and resistance.

Resistors: Types and Package Styles

Resistors: Size Comparison

Determining a Resistor’s Value

Color Code
Measured Value
• Resistors are labeled with color bands
that specify the resistor’s nominal
value.
• An analog/digital multi-meter can be
used to measure the resistor’s actual
• The nominal value is the resistor’s face
resistance value.
value.

How to Read a Resistor’s Value

Resistors are identified using the

standard color code chart. A simple
trick can be used to identify the resistor
value range. The third color band on
the body of the resistor represents the
multiplier value.
Resistor Value: Example #1
Example: Determine the nominal value for the resistor shown.
 Brown, Black,
Red, Gold
1 0
x100 5% =
1000Ω ±5%
OR 1KΩ±5%
CODED VALUE:
1KΩ ±5%
Note: 1000 = 1K

Resistor handling
and installation
1. Resistors are not polarized and may be installed in either direction.
2. Resistors are not generally susceptible to ESD damage, so special
precautions are not required.
3. Mechanical stress due to lead bending should be minimized.

Example of color coding resistor

Color Coded Value

Green, Blue, Yellow, Gold = 560 kΩ, +5%

Orange, White, Black, None = 39 Ω, + 20%
Brown, Grey, Gold, Gold = 1.8 Ω, +5%
Yellow, Violet, Silver, Silver = 0.47 Ω, +10%
Red, Black, Violet, Black = 200 MΩ, +20%
Brown, Red, Red, Gold = 1.2 kΩ, +5%

Decoding Resistor
Coded Value Color

560 Ω, +5% = Green, Blue, Brown, Gold

1 kΩ, +10% = Brown, Black, Red, Silver
4.7 kΩ, +5% = Yellow, Violet, Red, Gold
4.7 Ω, +5% = Yellow, Violet, Gold, Gold

Resistor Trouble
1. Open resistor – common trouble
2. Burn resistor due to too hot because of excessive power dissipation or
current flow in the circuit.
3. Crystallized resistor – expands slightly as it becomes hot with current
and contracts as it cools off when power is off due to constant used and
excessive current.
4. Noisy controls – volume control and tone are made of carbons, where
often used, the resistance element becomes worn out by the wiper contact
making the noisy controls and dirty—remedy replaced with new one.
5. Changed resistance value – carbon resistors can change in resistance
sine carbon has a negative temperature coefficient. The resistance
decreases with increasing temperature.

Use of Tolerance:
Example: 10% of 249Ω = 24

RMIN = 240 – 24 = 216Ω

RMAX = 240 + 24 = 264Ω

Tolerable value = RMIN – RMAX

Tolerable value = 216Ω – 264Ω

Note: less than minimum resistance and greater than maximum resistance is a
defective resistor.
Testing a Resistor

Equipment needed: Multitester

Procedures:

1. Read the indicated value (color code) on the resistor body.

2. Set the multitester to the OHM-SCALE, the range within but not way
below the indicated value.

Good Indication Defective Indecation

A resistor is good if its resistance is
close to the indicated value. Tolerance
should be considered with the
ohmmeter reading.
1. No resistance reading at all the
OHM scale settings – resistor is
open.
2. Zero resistance at all the OHM
scale settings – resistor is
shorted.

Example:

Testing Potentiometer and Rheostat

The most common defects of potentiometers are improper contact of the

rotating shaft or sliding arm that result to uncontrolled resistance and sudden
change in resistance when rotating the knob.
1. Set the ohmmeter range in
appropriate settings.
2. Connect the probes in the
exterior terminals of the
potentiometer as show below.
The measured resistance of
the potentiometer even when
rotating he shaft. It will not
deflect the pointer.

3. Rotate first the potentiometer

knob full counter-clockwise.
Connect one of the probes in
the middle of the
potentiometer (as shown
below). The meter reading
must be at zero ohm
resistance.
Adjust the potentiometer
knob gradually until the
rated resistance of potentiometer is achieved.

Defective Potentiometer
1. The tester pointer won’t deflect at all (step no. 2 and 3). The resistive
element of potentiometer is OPEN.
2. The tester pointer suddenly deflects in gradual adjustment. The wiper
contact is already defective. Clean the potentiometer contract. 70%
alcohol may help.
Defective Indication

1. The needle suddenly deflects to

infinity (∞) and back again to a
certain point while the shaft is
being rotated. There is a poor or
defective wiper contact.
2. No resistance reading between
exterior terminals. Open resistive
element.
Meter showing a poor (defective) wiper contact to the
resistive element.

Testing Loudspeakers
Testing speaker is also similar to testing a transformer because of it similar
material use.

Set the Ohmmeter range in x1 ohm

Using a Battery
 1. Set the Ohmmeter in a x1 ohm. Attach the positive probe to the negative
terminal of speaker and negative probe to positive terminal. As
illustrated.

There are two indications:

1. The reading could be either 4 ohms or 8 ohms depending on the rated
impedance of the speaker.
2. You can hear scratchy sound because the battery inside the tester
supplies the speaker that causes to produce scratchy sounds.