ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

Resistance(R) is the ability to limit current flow. Resistance is measured in Ohms. The inverse of resistance is conductance (G) and is measured in Siemens (S)

Component Symbol Units Function Physical appearance Application circuit

Fixed resistor Ohms Used to limit current

flow.
Ω Used as stove, kettle,
heater, geyser,iron,
etc

Variable resistor Ohms Used as voltage

Potentiometer divider.
Ω Used in light diming
, Adjust signal level

Ohms Used as voltage

Pre-set divider.
Resistor Ω Adjust signal level
Light dependant Ohms Used in light sensing
resistor circuits.
Ω
Automatic switching
ON of street lights

Thermistor Ohms Used in temperature

sensing circuit.
Ω Air-conditioners

Varistor Ohms Used to protect

equipment against
Ω excessive voltages eg
lightning

Inductance (L) is the ability of a component to induce emf when a changing current flows through it. It is measured in Henrys (H)

Component Symbol Units Function Physical appearance Application circuit

Fixed inductor Henrys Induces emf when
changing current flows
H through it.
Stores energy.
Filters.
Oscillators
Tuning circuits

Variable Henrys Filters

inductor Oscillators
H Tuning circuits

Preset inductor Henrys

Component Symbol Units Function Physical appearance Application circuit

Capacitance(C) is the ability of a component to store electric charge. It is measured in Farads (F)
Fixed capacitor Farads Stores electric charge
F Filters
Oscillators
Tuning circuits

Variable Farads Used in tuning circuits

Capacitor F Filters
Oscillators

Tuning Circuit
 Preset Capacitor Farads Used in tuning circuits
F Filters
Oscillators

Polarised Farads
capacitor F

Non –polarised capacitors

Non-polarised capacitors are named after the dielectric material between the plates.

Ceramic Polyester Polystyrene Mica Air Paper

RESISTOR CODING

The first two bands represent the first and second digits, respectively. They are the actual first two numbers that define the numerical value of the
resistor. The third band determines the power-of-ten multiplier for the first two digits (actually the number of zeros that follow the second digit for resistors greater than
10 Ω. The fourth band is the manufacturer’s tolerance, which is an indication of the precision by which the resistor was made. Fo r four, five, or six bands, if the tolerance is
less than 5%, the following colors are used to reflect the % tolerances: brown ±1%, red ±2%, green ±0.5%, blue ±0.25%, and violet ±0.1%.
Black Boys Robbed Our Young Girls But Violet Gave Willingly
CAPACITOR CODING

Capacitors use number coded as opposed to resistors that use colour coding. Ignore the letters.