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ELEN2101 | Electrical Circuits (Lab)

Laboratory Report

Experiment No. 2

Resistor Color Coding,

Characteristics and Ratings

Submitted by:
SEMBRANO, GHABRIEL J. | 20221040212
EE-2
Student

Submitted to:
ENGR. Andrew G. Bitancor
Professor
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Resistor Color Coding, Characteristics and Ratings

I. EXP NO.2: RESISTOR COLOR CODING, CHARACTERISTICS, AND

RATINGS

II. OBJECTIVES:

1. To be familiar with the color coding used on resistors.

2. To be familiar with the different sizes and ratings of resistors.
3. To verify by experiments, the characteristics of resistors.

III. SUGGESTED READINGS: Topic on resistor characteristics and color coding.

IV. REQUIRED SKILLS: Knowledge in the proper use of ohmmeter and the analog
trainer.

V. MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Description Qty.
360TR-model analog multimeter 1
Analog Trainer (ATL-01 or equiv.) 1
Color coded resistors: Assorted and 1
wattage
Resistor, ¼ W: 1
 200Ω
 270Ω
 1kΩ
 1.2kΩ
 10kΩ
 56kΩ
Resistor, ½ W: 1
 1.2kΩ
Connecting wire 1
Breadboard 1

VI. PROCEDURE:

1. Get for 10 pieces of resistors of assorted values from your previous activity instructor and
write their respective color codes in Table 3.1 under the column “Color code”.

2. Determine their respective resistances and tolerances by reading their respective color
codes. Record the results in Table 3.1 under the column “Coded value” and “Tolerance”
respectively.
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3. Verify your results in step #2 by measuring the actual resistance of the given resistors by
the use of an ohmmeter. Record the results in Table 3.1 under the column “Measured
value”.
Resistors Color Code Coded Tolerance Measured Power
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Value Value rating
R1 100 5% 99 ½
R2 120 5% 119 ½
R3 150 5% 147 ½
R4 1k 5% 998 ½
R5 1.2k 5% 1187 ½
R6 1.8k 5% 1789 ½
R7 2k 5% 2k ½
R8 4.7k 5% 4.6k ½
R9 5k 5% 5k ½
R10 18k 5% 17.6k ½
Table 3.1: Table for step #1 to #3.

4. Determine the power rating of each resistor given above by examining its physical size
and record the results in Table 3.1 under the column “Power Rating”.

5. Verify the effect of resistance variation to current flow in the circuit by setting the resistor
R1 of Fig3.1 to different resistance values given in Table 3.2 and record the
corresponding current measured on its value under the column ”Measured current”.

Fig 3.1: Experimental circuit for determining the effect of resistance variation to current.

6. Compute the resistor’s power dissipation for each setting in step #6 by using the formula
given below and record the results in Table 3.2 under the column “Resistor’s Power
Dissipation”.

Resisto Measured Measured Resistor Power

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r Resistance Current (mA) Dissipation (mW)
100 99 50.51 252.55
120 119 42.02 210.1
150 147 34.01 170.05
1k 998 5.01 25.05
1.2k 1187 4.212 21.06
1.8k 1789 2.795 13.975
2k 2k 2.5 12.5
4.7k 4.6k 1.087 5.435
5k 5k 1 5
18k 17.6k 0.28 1.4
Table 3.2: Table for step #6 and #7
7. Set the range selector knob of the analog multimeter (milli-ammeter) to 25 mA and the +
variable voltage supply of the analog trainer ATL-01 to minimum and construct the circuit
shown in Fig 3.2.

Fig 3.2: Experimental circuit for demonstrating the significance of resistor’s power rating.

8. Increase the supply voltage very slowly and monitor the heat radiated by the resistor as
the current reading from the multimeter increases simultaneously with the supply voltage
until the resistor blowout. The blow-out of resistor can be determined by the smoke
emitted from its body and the sudden fall of current to zero reading.

Maximum voltages for ½ and ¼ W of 1.2k Ω

2
1 V
= ;V =24.5
2 1200 Ω
2
1 V
= ; V =17.33
4 1200

9. In the space provided below, record the maximum current meter reading before the
resistor blowout.
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Maximum current meter reading = 14. 583 mA

10. Return the supply voltage to its maximum setting and then replace the 1.2kΩ resistor of
Fig 3.2 by the other resistor of the same resistance but with a power rating equal to ½ W.

11. Increase the supply voltage very slowly and monitor the heat radiated by the resistor until
the current reading from the multimeter reaches the same maximum current reading in
step #9.
Maximum current meter reading = 20.42 mA

VII. OBSERVATION AND ANALYSIS:

 It can be observed that regardless of the power rating of a resistor, the same
output voltage and current for both power rating can be seen. However, the
power rating differs to how much voltage a resistor can handle; the higher the
power, the higher amount of voltage it can handle, vice versa. In addition, a
fixed 5V can have varying current value to which it depends on the resistor
value.

VIII. CONCLUSION:
 The conducted experiment analyzed the usage of resistor with varying values
and power rating to a voltage source (Vs) of 5V connected in series. For table
3.1, the resistor values doesn’t always output the accurate the assigned
resistance value, often the resistance values outputs within their
maximum/minimum values. For table 3.2, the measured current can vary from
the resistance value of a resistor — having a lower resistance outputs higher
resistor power dissipation. Lastly, the difference between the ¼ and ½ W can
be seen from how much voltage value it can handle. From the experiment, the
½ W can handle voltages of less than 24.5V, while the ¼ W can handle
voltages of less than 17.33V.

When you have completed all of the above, have your laboratory instructor sign below.

IX. QUESTIONS:
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1. What is the color code of the available resistor that can be used if the required resistance
is 5,780 ohms?
 Unfortunately, there's no direct multiplier that would give the exact resistance
value of 5,780 Ω. However a 5.8k Ω could be used, of the color code: Green,
Gray, Red, Gold.

2. Give the resistance range of a resistor which has a color code of brown, red, orange, red.
 Brown, Red, Orange, Red, gives the resistance value of 12k Ω with a multiplier of
x103 and a tolerance value of ±2% with a min/max values from 11,760 to 12,240.

3. Can we use a 200Ω, ¼ W resistor as a replacement for 200 Ω, ½ W resistor? Why?

 It depends on the voltage value. However it is generally preferable to use a
resistor with higher power value. 1/2 W resistors can handle much higher voltage
values than ¼ W resistors. 200 Ω ¼ W resistor cannot be used as a replacement
for a 200 Ω ½ W resistor because the ¼ W has a lower power rating. The 1/4
resistor will overheat and burn out if it is used in place of the 1/2 resistor. You
need to use a resistor with the same resistance and power rating.

4. What is the third color of resistors within a resistance range of 1000- to 9,999-ohms?
 The color red of 100Ω (x102).