Resistor Types

- information, tutorial about the basics of the different types of resistors including fixed and
variable resistors, carbon, film, carbon composition, metal film, etc

There are many different types of resistor available for use within electronic circuits. These
different resistor types have somewhat different properties dependent upon their construction and
manufacture. This makes the different types of resistor suitable for different applications.

Over the years the resistor types used in mass electronics production have changed. Years ago,
all the resistors used had leads and were relatively large, and by today's standards they offered a
low level of performance. Today, the resistor types used are much smaller and offer much higher
levels of performance.

Fixed & variable resistor types

The first major categories into which the different types of resistor can be fitted is into whether
they are fixed or variable. These different resistor types are used for different applications:

Fixed resistors: Fixed resistors are by far the most widely used type of resistor. They
are used in electronics circuits to set the right conditions in a circuit. Their values are
determined during the design phase of the circuit, and they should never need to be
changed to "adjust" the circuit. There are many different types of resistor which can be
used in different circumstances and these different types of resistor are described in
further detail below.
Variable resistors: These resistors consist of a fixed resistor element and a slider which
taps onto the main resistor element. This gives three connections to the component: two
connected to the fixed element, and the third is the slider. In this way the component acts
as a variable potential divider if all three connections are used. It is possible to connect to
the slider and one end to provide a resistor with variable resistance. Read more
about variable resistors.

Fixed resistor types

There are a number of different types of fixed resistor:

Carbon composition: These types were once very common, but are now seldom used.
They are formed by mixing carbon granules with a binder which was then made into a
small rod. This type of resistor was large by today's standards and suffered from a large
negative temperature coefficient. The resistors also suffered from a large and erratic
irreversible changes in resistance as a result of heat or age. In addition to this the granular
 nature of the carbon and binder lead to high levels of noise being generated when current
flowed. Read more about the carbon composition resistor.
Carbon film: This resistor type is formed by "cracking" a hydrocarbon onto a ceramic
former. The resulting deposited film had its resistance set by cutting a helix into the film.
This made these resistors highly inductive and of little use for many RF applications.
They exhibited a temperature coefficient of between -100 and -900 ppm / Celcius. The
carbon film is protected either by a conformal epoxy coating or a ceramic tube. Read
more about the carbon film resistor.
Metal oxide film: This type of resistor is now one of the most widely used form of
resistor along with the metal film type. Rather than using a carbon film, this resistor type
uses a metal oxide film deposited on a ceramic rod. Metals oxide such as tin oxide are
deposited onto the ceramic rod. The resistance of the component is adjusted in two ways.
First the thickness of the deposited layer is controlled during the initial manufacturing
stages. Then it can be more accurately adjusted by cutting a helical grove in the film.
Again the film is protected using a conformal epoxy coating. This type of resistor has a
temperature coefficient of around 15 parts per million / K, giving it a far superior
performance to that of any carbon based resistor. Additionally this type of resistor can be
supplied to a much closer tolerance, 5%, 2% being standard, and with 1% versions
available. They also exhibit a much lower noise level than carbon types of resistor. Read
more about metal oxide film resistor.
Metal film: The metal film resistors is very similar to the metal oxide film resistor in
terms of visual appearance and performance. Instead of using a metal oxide film, this
type of resistor uses a metal film. Metals such as nickel alloy may be used. Read more
about metal film resistor.
Wire wound: This resistor type is generally reserved for high power applications. These
resistors are made by winding wire with a higher than normal resistance (resistance wire)
on a former. The more expensive varieties are wound on a ceramic former and they may
be covered by a vitreous or silicone enamel. This resistor type is suited to high powers
and exhibits a high level of reliability at high powers along with a comparatively low
level of temperature coefficient, although this will depend on a number of factors
including the former, wire used, etc..
Thin film: Thin film technology is used for most of the surface mount types of resistor.
As these are used in their billions these days, this makes this form of resistor technology
one of the most widely used. Read more about SMT resistors.

Leaded and non-leaded resistor types

One of the key differentiators for resistors, and many other forms of component these days is the
way in which they are connected. As a result of the mass production techniques sued and the
widespread use of printed circuit boards, the form of connection used for components, especially
those to be incorporated into mass produced items changed.
The two main forms of resistor type according to their connection method are:

Leaded resistors: This type of resistor has been used since the very first electronic
components have been in use. Typically components were connected to terminal posts of
one form or another and leads from the resistor element were needed. As time progressed,
printed circuit boards were used, and the leads were inserted through holes in the boards
and typically soldered on the reverse side where the tracks were to be found.

Typical leaded carbon resistor

Surface mount resistors: These resistor types have been used increasingly since the
introduction of surface mount technology. Typically this type of resistor is manufactured
using thin film technology. A full range of values can be obtained.

Typical SMD resistors on a PCB

Coupled inductors are types of inductors that share a magnetic path and influence each other.

Multilayer Inductors

Multilayer inductors get their name from the layers of coiled wire that are wound around a
central core. Adding additional layers of coiled wire to an inductor increases the inductance but
also increases the capacitance between the wires. These inductors trade off higher inductance for
a lower maximum operating frequency.

Molded Inductors

Inductors that are molded into a plastic or ceramic housing are known as molded inductors.
Generally, these inductors have a cylindrical or bar form factor and can be found with several
types of winding options.

Power Inductors

Power inductors are available in a wide variety of form factors and power levels from surface
mounts inductors that can handle a few amps to through-hole and chassis mount power inductors
that can handle tens to hundreds of amps.

RF Inductors

High-frequency types of inductors, also called radio frequency of RF inductors, are designed to
operate at high frequencies.

Chokes

A choke is an inductor that is designed to block high-frequency pulses while letting lower
frequency pulse through. Their names come from the choking off or blocking of high-frequency
signals. There are two classes of chokes, power chokes, and RF chokes. Power and audio
frequency chokes typically have an iron core to increase their inductance and make them more
effective filters.

Surface Mount Inductors

The push for smaller and more mobile devices has led to the explosion in options for surface
mount types of inductors. Surface mount inductors are often used in DC-DC converters, EMI
filtering, energy storage, and other applications.
4 Types of Capacitors

1. Film Capacitors:

Film Capacitors are the most normally ready of numerous types of capacitors, comprising of a
generally expansive group of capacitors with the distinction being in their dielectric properties.
They are available in almost any value and voltages as high as 1500 volts. They come in any
tolerance from 10% to 0.01%. Film capacitors additionally arrive in a combination of shapes and
case styles.

2. Ceramic Capacitors:

Ceramic capacitors are used in high frequency circuits such as audio to RF. They are also the
best choice for high frequency compensation in audio circuits. These capacitors are also called
as disc capacitors. Ceramic capacitors are made by coating two sides of a small porcelain or
ceramic disc with silver and are then stacked together to make a capacitor.

3. Electrolytic Capacitors:

These are the most prevalently used capacitors which have a wide tolerance capacity. Electrolytic
capacitors are available with working voltages up to about 500V, although the highest capacitance
values are not available at high voltage and higher temperature units are available, but uncommon.
There are two types of electrolytic capacitor, tantalum and aluminum in common.

4. Variable Capacitors:

A Variable Capacitor is one whose capacitance may be intentionally and repeatedly changed
mechanically. This type of capacitors utilized to set frequency of resonance in LC circuits, for instance, to
adjust the radio for impedance matching in antenna tuner devices.