LAB NO.

2
28/03/2024

RESISTOR COLOR CODING

Lab outcomes:
After completing this lab, students will be able to;
● Understand the working and appearance of carbon resistors.
● Calculate and measure the nominal and actual value of a carbon/ceramic resistor
Corresponding CLO and PLO:
● CLO-1, PLO-1 (Engineering Knowledge)
Equipment:
● Resistor
● Digital Multimeter
Theory

Resistor

A passive electrical component with two terminals that are used for either limiting or regulating
the flow of electric current in electrical circuits.

The main purpose of resistor is to reduce the current flow and to lower the voltage in any
particular portion of the circuit. It is made of copper wires which are coiled around a ceramic rod
and the outer part of the resistor is coated with an insulating paint.

SI Unit of Resistor

The SI unit of resistor is Ohm.

Symbol of Resistor
 Figure 1

Each resistor has one connection and two terminals. We will look at the three types of symbols
that are used to represent the resistor.

Figure 2

The terminals of the resistor are each of the lines extending from the squiggle (or rectangle).
Those are what connect to the rest of the circuit. The resistor circuit symbols are usually
enhanced with both a resistance value and a name. The value, displayed in ohms, is obviously
critical for both evaluating and actually constructing the circuit.

Color Coding of Resistors

Resistors may not display the value outside but their resistance can be calculated through their
color pattern PTH (plated-through-hole) resistors use a color-coding system (which really adds
some flair to circuits), and SMD (surface-mount-device) resistors have their own value-marking
system.

Applications of Resistor

Following are the applications of resistors:

 Wire wound resistors find applications where balanced current control, high sensitivity,
and accurate measurement are required like in shunt with ampere meter.
 Photo resistors find application in flame detectors, burglar alarms, in photographic
devices, etc.
 Resistors are used for controlling temperature and voltmeter.
 Resistors are used in digital multi-meter, amplifiers, telecommunication, and oscillators.
 They are also used in modulators, demodulators, and transmitters.
Digital Multimeter
A digital multimeter (DMM) is a versatile electronic device used to measure various electrical
properties, including voltage, current, and resistance. The device displays the measurements on a
digital screen, making it easy to read and understand the results accurately.
Digital Multimeters have replaced traditional analog meters and offer higher accuracy,
reliability, and better handling of impedance.

How to use a digital multimeter

Digital Multimeters consolidate the functionality of several single-purpose meters, including
voltmeters, ammeters, and ohmmeters, into one comprehensive device. Additionally, they often
incorporate specialized features and customization options, making them versatile and adaptable
tools for technicians.
A digital multimeter consists of four main parts:

1. Screen: Used to display measurements.

2. Buttons: Used to select functions.
3. Dial or switch: Used to choose the type of measurement.
4. Jacks: Used to connect test leads.

Test leads are flexible, insulated wires that are typically color-coded—red for positive and black
for negative. These leads serve as the essential connectors between the device being tested and
the digital multimeter. The probe tips at the ends of these leads are crucial for conducting circuit
tests.

Types of digital Multimeters

Digital multimeters can be categorized based on their count capacity, which can extend up to
20,000 counts. Additionally, they fall into several categories, including:

 General-purpose (often referred to as testers): These digital multimeters are

affordable, easy to use, and ideal for simple electrical measurements.
 Standard models: These digital multimeters are more advanced than general-purpose
models and offer additional features, including frequency measurement and diode testing.
 Advanced versions: These digital multimeters offer even more advanced features,
including data logging and wireless connectivity.
 Compact units: These digital multimeters are small and portable, making them ideal for
technicians who need to carry their tools with them.
 Wireless variants: These digital multimeters can connect to mobile devices via
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, allowing technicians to take measurements remotely.
Applications of digital multimeters
Digital multimeters find application in a wide range of industries and scenarios. They are indispensable
tools for diagnosing and maintaining electrical circuits and electronic devices, testing and characterizing
electronic components, evaluating the performance of batteries, diagnosing electrical issues in vehicles,
checking outlets, switches, and wiring for safety and functionality, monitoring and maintaining complex
machinery in industrial settings, and more.
Some common applications of digital multimeters are:

 Troubleshooting Electrical Issues: Technicians use digital multimeters to identify faults, shorts,
or open circuits in electrical systems. They can quickly measure voltage, current, and resistance
to pinpoint problems.
 Electronics Testing: In electronics laboratories, digital multimeters are used to test and
characterize components like resistors, capacitors, and diodes. They help ensure components are
within their specified tolerance levels.
 Battery Testing: Digital multimeters assist in evaluating the performance of batteries, both
rechargeable and non-rechargeable. By measuring voltage and resistance, they can determine the
health and charge status of batteries.
 Automotive Diagnostics: Mechanics use digital multimeters to diagnose electrical issues in
vehicles. They can check the voltage of the battery, test sensors, and troubleshoot the vehicle's
electrical systems.
 Home Electrical Work: Digital multimeters are handy for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts
when dealing with electrical repairs or installations. They can check outlets, switches, and wiring
for safety and functionality.
 Industrial Maintenance: In industrial settings, digital multimeters are essential for monitoring
and maintaining complex machinery. They can detect irregularities in electrical systems to
prevent costly breakdowns.
 HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): Digital multimeters are used to diagnose
electrical issues in HVAC systems, measure temperature, and check the functioning of electrical
components.
 Renewable Energy: Digital multimeters are used to measure the output of solar panels, wind
turbines, and other renewable energy systems.

Digital multimeters are invaluable tools for professionals and enthusiasts across various industries. They
offer precise measurements of voltage, current, and resistance, replacing traditional analog meters due to
their enhanced features and reliability. When using a digital multimeter, always prioritize safety and
consult the user manual for guidance. These versatile instruments find applications in troubleshooting
electrical issues, electronics testing, battery analysis, automotive diagnostics, home electrical work,
industrial maintenance, HVAC systems, renewable energy systems, and more, making them indispensable
in today's technologically driven world.
Procedure:
1. In the first step we used resistor color coding table to identify the resistor by using color
resistor color code formula.

Color 1st significant digit 2nd significant digit Multiplier Tolerance

0
Black 0 0 10 =1
10 =10
1
Brown 1 1
10 =100
2
Red 2 2
10 =1k
3
Orange 3 3
10 =10k
4
Yellow 4 4
10 =100k
5
Green 5 5
10 =1M
6
Blue 6 6
10 =10M
7
Violet 7 7
10 =100M
8
Grey 8 8
10 =1000M
9
White 9 9
Golden ±5%
Silver ± 10 %

1st Digit, 2nd Digit, Multiplier, Tolerance = Color, Color x 103 color in Ohm’s (Ω)

2. In the second step we calculated resistor power numerically.

For Example: Brown Black orange = 1 0 x 103 = 10,000Ω or 10k Ohm.

3. In the last step we used DMM (Digital Multi-meter) device to check the actual value.

Calculations:
1. Color Bands = orange, orange, red, gold
Significant figures = 3 3 102 ±5%
Multiplier = 102
Tolerance = ±5%
Measured value = 3.364K Ω
= 3.364×103Ω
= 3364 Ω
Actual value = 3532-3196 Ω
2. Color Bands = yellow, violet, red, silver
Significant figures = 4 7 102 ±10%
2
Multiplier = 10
Tolerance = ±10%
Measured value = 4.7K Ω
= 4.78×103Ω
= 4780 Ω
Actual value = 5258-4302 Ω

3. Color Bands = red, yellow, orange, gold

Significant figures = 2 4 103 ±5%
3
Multiplier = 10
Tolerance = ±5%
Measured value = 2.400K Ω
= 2.400×103Ω
= 2400Ω
Actual value = 2520-2280 Ω

4. Color Bands = green, blue, red, silver

Significant figures = 5 6 102 ±10%
Multiplier = 102
Tolerance = ±10%
Measured value = 5.600K Ω
= 5.600×103Ω
= 5600 Ω
Actual value = 6160-5040 Ω

5. Color Bands = orange, blue, orange, gold

Significant figures = 3 6 103 ±5%
3
Multiplier = 10
Tolerance = ±5%
Measured value = 3.600K Ω
= 3.600×103Ω
= 3600Ω
Actual value = 3780-3420 Ω
Precautions
● We have to place the resistor from left to right in such a way that the band of
tolerance must be on our right hand side.
● We must take care of the colors which are on the band because it can make changes
in our value.
● When we are checking the resistance of any resistor we should make sure that knob
of the DMM (Digital Multi-Meter) is on OHM.
● Value should be taken on higher values then the values we read by color coding.
● We must power off the DMM (Digital Multi-Meter) when we are done with our
work.

Conclusion
In this lab we have learnt about the resistor and the color coding of the resistor we have
performed task of finding the resistance of a resistor.
We have seen that resistors have colorful bands on them, these bands tell us how much resistance
the resistor has. Each color stands for a number making it easier for us to figure out what the
resistor does.
We have learnt about Digital Multimeter, it is a handy tool used to measure various electrical
properties like voltage, current and resistance.it typically has a digital display that shows the
measured values accurately. Digital multimeters are essential for troubleshooting electrical
problems, testing circuits and ensuring safety in electrical work.
Rubrics
Absent Student is Student can Student has Student has Student
unable to understand followed constructed perfectly
follow the the provided instructions the implemented a
provided laboratory to construct functional/ working
instructions instructions the working model/ logic/
properly. and familiar fundamental schematic/ circuit/ block
The student with the lab schematic/ model/ block diagram/ code
can name the environment block diagram/ and
hardware or (Trainer/ diagram/ code, and successfully
Demonstration
simulation software/ code/ model have executed the
platform, but IDE), but on the successfully lab objective
unable to cannot protoboard/ executed the in Realtime or
implement implement trainer/ program/ run in a
anything on the simulation circuit on simulation
practically or platform software. software environment
on the practically or platform and produced
software on the the desired
software results
Category Ungraded Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent
Percentage [0] [1-20] [21-40] [41-60] [61-80] [81-100]
Marks 0.0 0.01 - 0.20 0.21 - 0.40 0.41 - 0.60 0.61 - 0.80 0.81 - 1.0

Date Total Marks Instructor’s Signature

Report not Plagiarized Requirements Observations Appropriate Correctly

submitted content are listed and are recorded computations drawn
presented or experimental along with or numerical conclusion
Laboratory incomplete procedure is detailed analysis is with
Reports submission presented procedure performed exact results
and complete
report in all
respects
Category Ungraded Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent
Percentage [0] [1-20] [21-40] [41-60] [61-80] [81-100]
Marks 0.0 0.01 - 0.20 0.21 - 0.40 0.41 - 0.60 0.61 - 0.80 0.81 - 1.0

Date Total Marks Instructor’s Signature