EXPERIMENT NO.

EE121L – 02
RESISTOR COLOR CODING AND THE USE OF THE OHMMETER

I. OBJECTIVES:
1. To determine the value of a resistor from the Electronic Industrial Alliance (EIA)
color code.
2. To read the resistance value specified on each of the scale of the ohmmeter.
3. To measure the resistance across each combination of two of the terminals of a
potentiometer and observe the range of resistance change as the shaft of the
potentiometer is varied through the range.

II. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:

1 VOM
10 Assorted values of resistors
1 Potentiometer
1 Rheostat
Connecting wires

III. DISCUSSIONS:
The ohm is the unit of resistance. Resistance values are indicated by standard
color code adapted by manufacturers. This code involves the use of the color bands of the
body of the resistor. The color and the numerical value are given in the resistor color
chart. The first band gives the first significant figure, the second band gives the second
significant figure, the third color band gives the multiplier, and the fourth band is used to
determine the resistance tolerance. In the absence of the fourth color band it means a
twenty percent (20%) tolerance.
In cases where resistors have values that are less than one ohm, the multiplier is
silver. For resistors having resistances greater than one ohm but less than ten ohms, the
multiplier is gold. Wire wound high wattage resistors usually are not color coded but have
ohmic values and wattage rating printed on the body of the resistor.
EQUIVALENT VALUES FOR THE COLOR BANDS OF RESISTORS
 COLORS VALUE MULTIPLIER TOLERANCE
Black 0 1
Brown 1 10
Red 2 100
Orange 3 1000
Yellow 4 10000
Green 5 100000
Blue 6 1000000
Violet 7 10000000
Gray 8 100000000
White 9 1000000000
Gold 0.1 +/- 5%
Silver 0.01 +/- 10%
No Color +/- 20%

SUMMARY
1. The unit of resistance is the ohm.
2. The body of a carbon resistor is color coded to specify the ohmic value and
tolerance.
3. The first three of the four color bands on the body of the carbon resistor
designates its resistance and the fourth band indicates the tolerance.
4. High wattage wire wound resistors are not color coded.
5. Variable resistors are two types, the rheostat and the potentiometer.
6. The rheostat has only two terminals while the potentiometer has three.
7. The resistance between the two terminals of the rheostat is variable while in a
potentiometer, the resistance between the two end terminals is fixed while the
resistance between the center and either end terminals is variable.
8. The scale of the ohmmeter is non-linear.
IV. PROCEDURES:
1. Determine the value of each resistor supplied by its color code. Fill in the
required information in the table.
2. Measure the resistance of each resistor with the ohmmeter and fill the result in
the column for the measured value. The coded value and the measured value
should agree with the tolerance range of the resistor. Indicate the percentage
accuracy between the coded value and the measured value.
3. Examine the potentiometer. Connect the ohmmeter to the center terminal and
to any end terminal. Turn the potentiometer arm and observe the indication of
the pointer of the VOM.
4. Check if the resistance between the two terminals is equal to the sum of the
resistances between the center and the two terminals.

V. DATA AND RESULTS: (SEE 12-RESISTORS ATTACHED)

VI. CONCLUSIONS:
VII. QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS:
1. At what end of the scale in the resistance reading more reliable, the crowded
end or the uncrowded end?
2. To what range should you shift (higher or lower) your selector switch if your
reading is at the crowded end of the scale?
3. For the following carbon resistors, determine the color bands.
a. 0.27 Ω
b. 0.10 Ω
c. 2.2 Ω
d. 39 Ω
e. 33 Ω
f. 1.5 Ω
4. Determine the color coded values of the following carbon resistors.
a. red, red, yellow, gold
b. orange, white, green, silver
c. brown, black, brown, gold
d. yellow, violet, gold, gold
e. brown, gray, silver
5. How does a potentiometer differ from a rheostat?
WRITE DOWN (USE THE TABLE IN DATA AND RESULTS) THE COLOR
CODE OF EACH RESISTOR USING THE EIA COLOR CODING SCHEME
(E12 SERIES)
RESISTOR COLOR CHART

POTENTIOMETER