Resistors and their Types

There are so many distinct types of resistors, which are manufactured in a range of shapes and sizes to suit specific applications such as High Stability, High Voltage, High Current, and so on, or are used as general-purpose resistors where their properties are less of an issue. We’ll look at why resistors are vital in electrical connections and the many types of resistors.

Resistor

A resistor is an electrical component that restricts the flow of current across a circuit. The ohm is the SI unit for resistance. It is represented with a Greek letter, i.e. “Ω”. In an electrical circuit, a resistor is used for protection, operation, current control, and other purposes. A resistor converts electrical energy into heat, which is then released into the atmosphere.

Types of Resistor

There are many types of Resistor. They are listed below

Light dependent Resistor

The resistance of this type of resistor is dependent on the amount of light it receives. The photoconductivity concept is used to operate this resistor. When an LDR is kept in the dark, it has a high resistance, and when it is maintained in the light, it has a lower resistance.

Variable Resistor

This is the most often used type of resistor; it consists of a fixed resistance value between two terminals. Rheostats, digital resistors, and potentiometers are examples of variable resistors.

Film type Resistor or Cermet type Resistor

Carbon, metal, and metal oxide resistors are among the three types of resistors.

Pure metals are deposited to create these resistors. By expanding the width of the deposited film, the resistance value of a resistor can be adjusted or regulated.

Ohmic Resistor

These are the resistors that follow Ohm’s law. The ohmic resistors, often known as linear resistors or ohmic resistors.

Carbon Resistor

Carbon resistors are one of the most prevalent types of resistors used in electronics, and they come in a variety of physical sizes. These resistors are commonly used because they are inexpensive, durable, and may be directly placed onto circuit boards.

Combination of Resistors

Resistors are two-terminal devices. As a result, a resistor’s functions include voltage division and current regulation in a device.

The application of ohm’s law is used to represent resistors mathematically. Ohm’s Law states that:

A series circuit has a path where the entire current goes through all of the components.

A parallel circuit, on the other hand, is made up of multiple channels in which the current is divided and only a portion of the current flows through each path.

The voltage applied across each light bulb or other device in our house electrical circuit is the same, but each of these loads takes a different amount of current based on its power requirements. Parallel connections are used to accomplish this.

Series Combination of Resistor
when two or more resistors are connected in series, the result is a series combination. The current flowing through each resistor in a series combination is constant, and there is only one path for electric current to pass. The potential difference across each resistor in a series arrangement varies based on the resistance value.

Hence, the equivalent resistance of a circuit is equal to the Sum of individual Resistances.

Advantages:

• It’s used when there are hundreds of bulbs or lights to be used at the same time.
• Since less current goes across the circuit, it is safer.
• Since all bulbs, lights, and appliances are connected together, it’s easier to turn them on or off.

Disadvantages

• Since all electrical appliances have only one switch, no single appliance may be turned off separately.
• The other component of the circuit will not function if one component is fused or quits operating.
• Because the voltage is distributed in series or combinations, not all of the components receive the same voltage.

Parallel Combination of Resistor

When there are multiple paths for current flow in a circuit, the combination of resistances is referred to as parallel combination. Each resistance’s potential is the same and equal to the applied potential. Each resistor has a constant current flowing through it. In homes, the parallel combination is used for various domestic appliances, each of which has its own switch that may be turned on or off as needed.

If one component of the circuit or a resistor is destroyed in parallel combinations of resistors, the remaining components of the circuit will continue to function normally. It’s due to the fact that there are multiple paths for electric current to go through.

Advantages

• Each appliance can be turned on or off independently.
• The voltage of an electrical appliance is the same as that of the power supply line.
• If one electrical appliance fails due to a defect, the rest of the appliances will continue to function.

Disadvantage

• As more current can run across the circuit, it is less safe.
• If hundreds of appliances or lamps need to be turned on or off at the same time, this method is tedious to use.

Conclusion

In this article we have studied about the resistor and its combination. A resistor is an electrical component that restricts the flow of current across a circuit. The ohm is the SI unit for resistance. It is represented with a Greek letter, i.e. “Ω”. In an electrical circuit, a resistor is used for protection, operation, current control, and other purposes.

A series circuit has a path where the entire current goes through all of the components.

A parallel circuit, on the other hand, is made up of multiple channels in which the current is divided and only a portion of the current flows through each path.