INVESTIGATION OF COLOR CODE IN A RESISTOR

Aim : To determine the stated value of a resistor by interpreting the color code
indicated on the resistor

Apparatus : Assorted fixed-value resistors

Theory : The value of the resistance is given on the resistor in the form of a code
consisting of four or five colored bands, four the size of the resistance and
the fourth of fifth the tolerance.
The tolerance is the percentage by which the resistance may be higher or
lower than the coded value. For example, 1kΩ resistor with a 10% tolerance
may have a value as high as 1100 Ω. The color code used for the value of
resistance is shown in the following Table 1.

The resistance of a resistor is

R = AB × 10C ± D%

Where, A = first significant digit

B = second significant digit
C = multiplier
D = tolerance

Figure (1). Color code of resistor

4 - band Code

1st and 2nd Bands

Color Multiplier Tolerance
Significant Digits

Black 0 100 -
Brown 1 101 -
Red 2 102 -
Orange 3 103 -
Yellow 4 104 -
Green 5 105 -
Blue 6 106 -
Violet 7 107 -
Gray 8 108 -
White 9 109 -
Gold - 10-1 ±5%
Silver - 10-2 ±10%
No Color - - ±20%

Example,

The resistance of the above resistor is = --------------------

5 - band Code

1st, 2nd and 3rd

Color Bands Significant Multiplier Tolerance
Digits
Black 0 100 -
Brown 1 101 ±1%
Red 2 102 ±2%
Orange 3 103 ±3%
Yellow 4 104 ±4%
Green 5 105 ±0.5%
Blue 6 106 ±0.25%
Violet 7 107 ±0.1%
Gray 8 108 ±0.05%
White 9 109 -
Gold - 10-1 ±5%
Silver - 10-2 ±10%
No Color - - ±20%

The resistance of a resistor is

R = ABC × 10D ± E%
 HANDS-ON EXERCISE

Identify the following resistances given the color bands:

1. brown-black-red-no band =
2. orange-orange-red-silver =
3. brown-red-green-silver =
4. yellow-violet-brown-gold =
5. brown-gray-orange-silver =
6. blue-gray-black-gold =
7. green-blue-yellow-silver =
8. red-red-brown-gold =
9. yellow-violet-red-gold =
10. brown-black-orange-silver =

Determination of the Resistance of the Resistors

Sr
A B C D R = AB × 10C ± D%
No.
1

Sr
A B C D E R = ABC × 10D ± E%
No.
1