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Tech Tips

Types of Resistors. Basic component knowledge - resistors

Carbon film resistors

Carbon film resistors, commonly called "carbon resistors," use a carbon-based baked film. They have the lowest cost and are available in a wide range of resistance values. Since their temperature coefficient is not very good, they are not used in applications requiring high accuracy. Carbon film resistors have become the mainstream type of general resistors due to their low cost and performance aspect.

Solid resistors

Solid resistors use a baked kneaded mixture of a carbon-based resistive material and ceramic, etc., as the resistive element. These resistors have the feature of being robust and capable of being used in harsh conditions. Ultra-small resistors such as 1/16 W types can be produced, and in addition, a wide range of resistance values can be covered. However, from the cost aspect and overall characteristics aspect, carbon film resistors are better.

Metal film resistors

There are two types of metal film resistors: Thick film types in which the resistive element is a heated and fired metal-based paste, and thin-film types that use a metal vapor deposition film as the resistive element. They have relatively high accuracy (around ±1%) and better characteristics than carbon film resistors. However, they are somewhat expensive and cost 2 to 3 times as much as carbon film resistors.

Metal oxide film resistors

Metal oxide film resistors use a film in which metal oxides are mixed into the resistive element. They are used in relatively intermediate power applications of around several watts, and are inexpensive. The temperature characteristics are inferior to metal film resistors at about ±350 ppm/°C, which is not very good.

Wire-wound resistors, cement resistors

Wire-wound resistors are resistors made by winding a thin metal wire around a ceramic bobbin. Since the structure of winding a wire around a bobbin is the same as a coil, these resistors have an inductance.

Resistor network

A resistor network is a type of composite component consisting of several resistors in a single package. It has the merits of reducing the number of components, saving labor, having high density, etc.

Semi-fixed resistor

A variable-resistance resistor (trimmer) which is intended to be adjusted in the factory. It can be adjusted by turning with an adjustment screwdriver.