Linear Resistors
Linear Resistors - Related Videos
11:34
Series and Parallel Resistors
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2023
Source: Yong P. Chen, PhD, Department of Physics & Astronomy, College of Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN This experiment demonstrates how current is distributed in resistors connected in series or parallel, and thus describes how to calculate the total "effective" resistance. Using Ohm's law, it possible to convert between the voltage and current through a resistance, if the resistance is known. For two resistors connected in series, (meaning that they are wired one after the...
01:10
Resistors In Series
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2023
A resistor is an ohmic device that limits the flow of charge in a circuit. Most circuits have more than one resistor. If several resistors are connected together and connected to a battery, the current supplied by the battery depends on the equivalent resistance of the circuit. The equivalent resistance of a combination of resistors depends on both their individual values and how they are connected. The simplest combination of resistors is the series combination. In a series circuit, the...
01:18
Combination Of Resistors
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2023
Electrical devices in any circuit can be connected either by series or parallel connections. Additionally, circuits can be connected involving both of these connections, known as combination or complex circuits. As these circuits have complex resistor connections, it is necessary to identify different parts as either series or parallel connections, then the whole combination of series and parallel resistors can be reduced to a single equivalent resistance. With the known equivalent resistance...
01:23
Resistors In Parallel
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2023
Resistors are in parallel when one end of all the resistors are connected to a continuous wire of negligible resistance and the other end of all the resistors are also connected to one another through a continuous wire of negligible resistance. In the case of a parallel configuration, the potential drop across each resistor is the same. Current through each resistor can be found using Ohm’s law, I = V/R, where the voltage is constant across each resistor. The sum of the individual currents...
01:31
Resistor in an AC Circuit
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2023
An alternating emf or voltage source is needed to supply an alternating current (AC) to a circuit. A coil of wire rotating in a magnetic field at a constant angular speed represents such a source. It also generates a sinusoidal alternating emf and serves as an industrial alternator. One-way current through the meter is measured using diodes. A diode is a device with better conductivity in one direction compared to the other; in its ideal state, it has zero resistance in one direction and allows...
FAQs
A resistor’s stated value is a nominal resistance rather than an absolutely fixed quantity. Temperature and component tolerance can shift the actual resistance away from that value, while applied power determines how much electrical energy becomes heat. Engineers account for these variations when predicting voltage, current, and thermal behavior, especially in circuits requiring stable bias or accurate measurement.
Nearly constant resistance makes the voltage-current relationship predictable over the intended operating range. Engineers can therefore apply Ohm’s law directly to estimate current from a known voltage, or voltage from a known current, without modeling a changing resistance. This predictable response simplifies circuit calculations and supports repeatable design of loads, bias conditions, and signal-conditioning networks.
Arranging resistors in series or parallel provides different ways to obtain a desired overall electrical response from available component values. These networks support calculations of voltage distribution, current paths, and effective resistance. Engineers select the arrangement according to whether the design needs controlled voltage division, a specified load, current limitation, or a combination of these functions.
Selection begins by identifying the intended function, such as current limiting, voltage division, biasing, loading, or protection. The required resistance can then be related to the circuit’s voltage and current using Ohm’s law. Engineers also consider tolerance, temperature-related variation, and applied power so the chosen component maintains acceptable behavior under the circuit’s operating conditions.
A resistor network can distribute an applied voltage into a selected portion, creating a reference or bias condition for another part of the circuit. The resulting values depend on the resistances and the circuit currents, so engineers analyze the network rather than treating each resistor independently. This approach is useful wherever predictable operating voltages or signal levels are required.
Engineers place resistors in circuits when current must be restricted, sensitive components need protection, or a circuit requires a defined electrical load. Their resistance establishes a predictable relationship between voltage and current, while the dissipated energy appears as heat. Applying the method requires checking power conditions so the resistor can perform its intended role without unacceptable changes in behavior.
In measurement systems and signal-conditioning circuits, resistor values help establish predictable voltages, currents, and bias points that make electrical signals easier to use or analyze. In power-management applications, they can limit current and provide loads while dissipating energy as heat. Their value lies in combining simple passive operation with behavior that engineers can calculate and reproduce.