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A Simple Definition of Carbon Resistor in Physics

Colour code for carbon resistors helps find the resistive value, the percentage of tolerance and its size. Because carbon resistors are physically small, they are colour-coded to identify their resistance value in ohms.

“Resistor” refers to a basic component found in all electrical devices. A resistor seems to be a two-terminal passive electronic component. The resistor is being used to limit the passage of electric current in a circuit by its definition. A carbon resistor is a fixed type of resistor. And over a century has passed since the resistor was invented. Resistors have been originally made without a coating. Just one resistor accessible was wire wrapped and carbon composition resistors. The ability of the carbon resistor to tolerate high-energy pulses is perhaps the most significant advantage. Let’s discuss more binders in a cylindrical shape in detail. 

What is a Carbon Resistor?

A range of metals and alloys, particularly nichrome, brass, platinum and tungsten, are used to create resistance. Meanwhile, many of these metals have low electrical resistance, especially compared with carbon resistors, because it is hard to generate high resistance without turning the resistor bulky. The product of the resistor’s length with resistivity is proven to be perfectly proportional to resistance.

A fixed form of a resistor seems to be a carbon resistor. The resistor has been around for almost a century. Initially, resistors were manufactured without a coating. Wire wrapped and carbon composition resistors were the only types of resistors obtainable. Carbon resistors are constructed of fine carbon fragments with just a binder in a cylindrical shape, then baked using terminal lead just on the opposite end.

How Does a Carbon Resistor Work?

When building an electronic or electrical circuit for a certain purpose, the exact amount of resistance in the circuit board must be induced. Carbon resistors, which seem to be minuscule components, were used. Such components are a small packet of resistance plugged into the circuit to decrease the current flow by a specified amount. The carbon coating allows resistors to use it without being harmed. An increase in length and a decrease in width enhance the accuracy of the resistor. The epoxy coating assists resistor protection. Metals were utilised at the end part of resistors, while copper was used for linking leads.

When designing an electronic circuit with carbon resistors, often small components, a specific resistance level should be induced in the circuit board. These few components were wired into the circuit to resist the floor to a certain extent. Carbon is formed on a ceramic core in carbon resistors and also the deposition station would then be etched in such a spiral, changing it into a wire. Nickel caps were linked to both ends of the carbon and lead to ensure good contact.

Applications of Carbon Resistor

Carbon resistors can endure high-energy pulses yet are small enough to fit in a pocket. As a result, carbon composition resistors will still be employed in today’s wide range of applications. Examples of uses include circuit protection (surge or discharge protection), current limiting, high voltage power supply, high power or strobe lighting and even welding.

Such an instance of an application seems to be a medical defibrillator. High-energy pulses of around 30 Joule should be protected from sensitive patient-attached monitoring equipment. Carbon-based resistors are utilised in equipment or cables to withstand high pulse energy.

Working of Carbon Resistor

The exact amount of resistance within the circuit board must be generated while creating an electric and electronic circuit for a specific purpose. This is accomplished using carbon resistors, which seem to be extremely small components. They are little pockets of resistance that are put into the circuit to reduce the flow of electricity by a certain amount.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Carbon Resistors

Carbon resistors offer the benefit of withstanding high-energy pulses. The complete carbon composition body conducts the energy whenever current passes through the resistor. A wire-wound resistor, for instance, has a much smaller wire volume to conduct electricity. Consequently, the carbon composition resistor has a much higher thermal mass, which means it can handle more energy. Carbon resistors have a drawback in that the noise characteristics of carbon composition resistors are poor due to the combination of various materials. The noise level increases while the current flows. Carbon resistors also have a significant disadvantage in terms of stability. Over even a short time, the resistance of a carbon composition resistor can vary rapidly.

Conclusion

Small carbon particles were bound together by a binder in a cylindrical shape with a terminal lead on one end to make carbon resistors. Paint and plastic are used to preserve the resistor’s body. Resistors, usually carbon-based, are made of metal and carbon sheets on a ceramic carrier and therefore are utilised in electrical circuits. The ability of the carbon resistor to tolerate high-energy pulses is its most significant benefit. The energy required to run an electric current via a carbon resistor is carried throughout the carbon resistor’s rest of the body. Carbon resistors are available in various physical sizes, including power dissipation ranking.

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