A Beginner’s Guide to Different Types of Fixed Resistors

A Beginner’s Guide to Different Types of Fixed Resistors Resistors can be classified into fixed resistors, resistor networks & arrays and variable resistors. A fixed resistor cannot be changed as it is set at specific value where variable resistor can be adjusted to make the current pass in different amounts.

Different types of fixed resistors Some of the common types of fixed resistors used in various electronic constructions are wire wound resistor, carbon composition resistor and carbon film resistor. Other types of resistors sold by esteemed electronic resistor supplierare metal film resistor, metal oxide film resistor, metal glaze resistor and foil resistor.

1. Wire wound resistor It is made by winding the metal wire around a metal core. The metal wire restricts the electric current to certain level. In this resistor, Nichrome or Manganin metals is used as the metal wires due to their

extremely high resistance against the electric current.

2. Carbon film resistor It is one of the most widely used resistors in the electronic circuits. It is made by placing the carbon film on a ceramic substrate. As compared to the carbon composition resistors, this carbon film resistor produces less noise.

3. Carbon composition resistor The carbon composition resistor restricts the flow of the electric current to certain level. These resistors are designed by using a cylindrical resistive element with embedded caps and metals.

4. Foil resistor Considered to be most stable and accurate component, foil resistor is used for restricting the flow of electric current to certain level. Foil resistors can be purchased in bulk quantities from an electronic resistor wholesaler as they have well-equipped storage facilities and rich vendors’ base.

5. Metal glaze resistor Metal particle mixture is used in the metal glaze resistor, for restricting the flow of electric current to certain level. It has very low temperature co-efficient of resistance.

6. Metal film resistor The construction of the metal film resistor is very similar to carbon film resistor. It is used in various electrical circuits for the purpose of restricting the flow of electric current to specific level.

Difference between carbon film resistor and metal film resistor is of the material used for constructing the film. Carbon is used for the construction of film in the carbon film resistors. Nickel chromium or tin metal is used for the purpose of construction of the film in the metal film resistors.

7. Metal oxide film resistor Used as the resistive element for restricting the flow of electric current to certain level, the film is constructed by using metal oxide such as tin oxide.

Application of resistors Variable resistors are used in home electrical appliances, oscillators, audio control and transducers.

Resistor networks and arrays are used in digital to analog conversion and analog to digital conversion. In addition to this, resistor networks are used in voltage dividers for computer applications and power functions.