What is Resistor color code?
Resistor color code is a a simple method to quickly identify the resistor value without using any measuring tools. This color identifying process determines the value of resistance and tolerance of a its value.
The resistor is made of different materials like carbon, metal, or metal-oxide film. We can calculate the value of resistance for each resistor from the color pattern. In this article, we will explain the Resistor color code.
Why using color code?
The electrical components are often coded with colors to identify their functions and values. For each electrical component, the rating is printed on any part of the component. The same is the case for resistors. The rating and values are often written on the big size resistor. But it causes a problem when the size of the resistor is too small. In this case, the printed value is too small and we cannot check or read it with the eye. So we use the resistor color code method to find the value of the resistor quickly.
How to Find the value of resistance using color code?
- To find the value of resistance first check that the resistor belongs to which band. Normally 4, 5, and 6 band resistors are common in use. Now the problem is to find the direction.
- So the first band is always near to lead. Similarly, a gold or silver band is used for tolerance and it is at the last end.
- Now place the resistor in your left hand and note down the colors of the bands. Write it down in sequence.
- Now use the below table, to determine which color represent which value.
- The band next to the tolerance band represents a multiplier.
- The last band represents Tolerance. This might be a gold or silver color. And represent how much value of resistance can vary from its mean value in percentage.
- If the last band is a gold color, the value of tolerance will be ± 5%, and if the last band color is silver, it will represent ± 10% of tolerance.
- You can memorize the values for the color pattern with the following sentence.”
BB ROY of Great Britain had a Very Good Wife”. While the Color code table is given below.
Should I use color code or Ohmmeter?
Resistors are used in almost all electronic circuits like capacitors and transistors. And not like other electronic components there are many values of resistors. So its much easier for you to use color code than using an Ohmmeter to measure each single resistor individually. Ohmmeter using is easy but in case of making a large electronic engineering project which has many resistors we highly recommend using color code to identify the resistors.
