They are designed to resist electricity and can, therefore, be used to supply the correct voltage or a suitably limited current to the various components in an electric circuit. The humble resistor is a key component of many renewable energy systems. All the bands to the left of this band represent the significant digits. It is important to note that the band next to the tolerance band represents the multiplier. This means that the 22 Ω resistors with a tolerance value of 1.1 Ω could range from the actual value as much as 23.1 Ω to as little as 20.9 Ω. Tolerance=Value of resistor × value of tolerance band The tolerance of the resistor can be calculated as follows: The value of the given resistance is: 22 Ω ± 5%. A gold band represents the lowest variation, so be sure to buy these at the electronics store. The tolerance values represent by how much the resistance can vary from its mean value in terms of percentage. The number of bands present in a resistor varies from three to six. They are given by several bands and together they specify the resistance value, the tolerance rate, and sometimes the reliability or failure rates. These colored painted bands produce a system of identification generally known as Resistor Color Code.Īll leaded resistors with a power rating up to one watt are marked with color bands. In most cases, when the resistor is small such as a 1/4 W carbon or film type, these specifications will be color-coded. Values of resistance, tolerance, and wattage rating are generally printed onto the body of the resistor as numbers or letters when the resistor’s body is big enough to read the print, such as large power resistors. Resistors are available in a range of different resistance values from fractions of an Ohm (Ω) to millions of Ohms. These color bands are known as resistor color code. So, color bands are printed on them to represent the electrical resistance. Resistors are usually very tiny and it is difficult to print resistance values on them. The Color Codes used on resistors in carbon, carbon film and metal film types are widely used and a ‘must learn’ for electronics engineers.

Resistor color code mnemonic