How to look at the resistance value of adjustable resistor?
An adjustable resistor is a component that can control the current in a circuit by adjusting the value of the resistor. In electronic circuit design and experimentation, it is very important to adjust the resistance value correctly, as it directly affects the performance and stability of the circuit. So, what should we think about the resistance of an adjustable resistor?
The resistance value of an adjustable resistor can be viewed in the following ways:
Direct Labeling: On the surface of the adjustable resistor, the resistance value is directly marked, e.g. "500 Ω" or "500 ohms". If the resistance value is not directly marked, there is usually a mark, such as a color dot or ribbon, representing a different resistance range. For example, black for 0Ω, brown for 1Ω, red for 2Ω, and so on.
Color scale method: On the surface of the adjustable resistor, different colored bands or dots are used to mark the resistance value and allowable deviation. Most of the resistors in the world use the color code method. For example, when the resistor is four-ring, the last ring is usually gold or silver, representing a deviation of ±5% or ±10%, with the first three digits being significant figures and the number of powers. When the resistance is five rings, the distance between the last ring and the first four rings is larger, the first three digits are significant figures, the fourth digit is the number of power, and the fifth digit is the deviation.
Numeric method: On adjustable resistors, a three-digit number may be used to represent the nominal value. The numbers are from left to right, the first and second digits are the valid values, and the third digits are the exponents, that is, the number of zeros, and the unit is European. Deviations are usually represented by literal symbols.
Literal symbolic method: A combination of Arabic numerals and literal symbols is used to represent the nominal resistance, and its allowable deviation is also represented by literal symbols. The number before the symbol indicates the integer resistance, and the following numbers represent the first decimal resistance and then the second decimal resistance. For example, DFGJKM stands for different allowable deviations, which are ±0.5%, ±1%, ±2%, ±5%, ±10%, ±20%, respectively.
If you need to measure the resistance value of an adjustable resistor, you can use a multimeter or a digital resistance meter to test it. The resistance value can be measured by connecting the two ends of the adjustable resistor to take a reading. By reasonably selecting and adjusting the resistance of the adjustable resistor, the current in the circuit can be better controlled, and the stable operation and performance optimization of the circuit can be realized.
