We learnt some facts about Resistors in the previous blog.  Now let us learn about the trick to read  their value.

Some resistors are large enough to have their value printed on them. However, most of them are too small in size to have their value printed on them. Therefore, a system of colour-coding is adopted to indicate their value.

Each Resistor has some coloured rings on their body.  Each colour corresponds to a specific number.

• The ring that is furthest from gold or silver ring is the first ring or the ring nearest to an end is the first ring.
• The first and second coloured  rings  corresponds  to first and second digit of the value.
• The third ring indicates the multiplier or number of zeros that follow the second digit.
• The fourth band is usually gold or silver and represents the tolerance value. It is a measure of the precision with which the resistance is made.

The fourth band is usually gold or silver and represents the tolerance value. It is a measure of the precision with which the resistance is made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIGURE 1

The numerical value associated with each color is given in the table below:-

Color	Digit	Multiplier	Tolerance
Black	0	1	–
Brown	1	10	–
Red	2	100	–
Orange	3	10^3	–
Yellow	4	10^4	–
Green	5	10^5	–
Blue	6	10^6	–
Violet	7	10^7	–
Grey	8	10^8	–
White	9	10^9	–
Gold	–	0.1	5%
Silver	–	0.01	10%
No colour	–	–	20%

 

Mnemonics: As an aid to memory in remembering the sequence of color code, the following sentence can be remembered-

1.       B.B ROY Great Britain has a Very Good Wife.

2.       Bill Brown Realised Only Yesterday, Good Boys Value Good Work.

 

Example: With the help of color code table, we will find the value of resistance:

1^st band: Yellow

2^nd band: Violet

3^rd band: Orange

4rth band: Gold

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2

*Picture Credits Vandana Razdan