Experiment 2

Resistor Color Code

Objectives
1. Determine the nominal value of resistance using the
color code.
2. To become familiar with the measurement of
resistance values using a digital multimeter.

 Theory Overview
The resistor is the most fundamental of all electrical devices. The greater the
resistance, the greater the restriction of current. Resistance is measured in Ohms. The
measurement of resistance in unpowered circuits may be performed with a digital
multimeter. Like all components, resistors cannot be manufactured to perfection. That
is, there will always be some variance of the true value of the component when
compared to its nameplate or nominal value. For precision resistors, typically 1%
tolerance or better, the nominal value is usually printed directly on the component.
Normally, general purpose components, i.e. those worse than 1%, usually use a color
code to indicate their value.
The resistor color code typically uses four-color bands. The first two bands indicate
the precision values, while the third band indicates the power of ten applied. The
fourth band indicates the tolerance. As shown in Figure 2.1. Color code used to
indicate the nominal value. Three-color bands used for this purpose, each having a
numerical value between 0 and 9, as shown in Table 2.1.

Figure 2.1 Resistor, color-coded.

 Table 2.1: Numerical Values of Color Codes.
Black Brown Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Violet Grey White
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Starting with the band closest to one end of the resistor, as shown in Figure 2.1, the
three represented numbers, n1, n2, and n3 mean:

R= (10×n1 + n2)×10n3 ohms

(2.1)

Figure 2.2: Example of color code calculation.

Example 1:

Orange-Blue-Black means = 36×100 =36 ohms.

Example 2:

Example 2: Gray-Red-Yellow means= 82×104 = 820 Kohm.

A fourth band according to Table 2.2 indicates the percent tolerance around the
nominal value.
Table 2.2: Percent-Tolerance Color Code.
Gold Silver No color
±5 ± 10 ± 20
 Example 3:

Table: 2.3: Example 3.

Color-code Nominal value Tolerance
(Calculated)
red-red-black-silver
blue-gray-black-gold
brown-green-brown-gold
orange-orange-brown-silver
green-blue-brown –gold
brown-red-red–silver
red-violet-red–silver
gray-red-red–gold
brown-black-orange–gold
orange-orange-orange–silver
blue-gray-yellow–none
green-black-green-silver

 Testing the resistor using multimeter:

Make sure you set your unit to the ohms setting marked as a Ω on your dial. You’ll
also want to select the appropriate range if your meter offers that choice. Be sure to
only measure resistance when the part is not connected directly to the circuit.
Here are some simple guidelines to walk you through the process:
1. Pick a random resistor and set your multimeter to the 20kΩ setting.
2. The meter should read one of three things, 0.00, 1, or the resistor value.
If the multimeter reads 1 or ends up with a display of OL, which simply means it’s
overloaded. Change to a higher mode such as 200kΩ mode or 2MΩ (megaohm)
mode. If the multimeter reads 0.00 or close to zero, lower the mode to 2kΩ or 200Ω.
 Figure 2.3: Measuring value of the resistor.

Your body resistance is……………………………

Body resistance is not a fixed quantity. It varies from person to person and from time
to time.

Body resistance also varies depending on how contact is made with the skin: is it from
hand-to-hand, hand-to-foot, foot-to-foot, hand-to-elbow, etc.
 Faculty of Aviation Sciences
Electrical Fundamentals Lab (1)

Post lab (2)

Experiment (2)
Resistor Color Code

Student name:
Student ID:
Exercise 1:
Use DMM to measure the values of the following resistors. Compare the actual values
of resistors to the nominal values in term of percent difference.
| |
(2.2)

Table 2.4: Exercise 1.

Color-code Nominal Measured Tolerance Percent
values values difference
Green- brown- gold-gold
Green- brown- red- gold
Yellow- purple- brown- silver
Green- brown-black- silver
Green- brown-orange- gold
Brown-black-green- silver
Brown-black-green- gold
Green- brown-orange- gold
Red- black- gold- gold
Green- brown- yellow- gold

Exercise 2:
Is the testing figure is Right or False? Why?

Figure 2.5: Exercise 2.

Push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.