[Boatanchors] Old resistor values

Freeberg, Scott (STP) Scott.Freeberg at guidant.com
Wed Dec 15 09:22:21 EST 2004


Garey K4OAH wrote:
>>
In my experience, the color bands on "modern" resistors are just for 
decoration!  The colors are NOT true, and it is particularly difficult 
to tell the difference between black, brown and red.   Even with bright, 
color accurate lighting and high magnification.  I have given up and 
just measure them with an ohmmeter.
>>

I certainly believe the colors are 'true' but the problem is with variation in colors.  For several years I had a little ham radio hobby business on the side.  Every so often I'd get a batch of 1K resistors from a different manufacturer, and I would run into the problem you mention.  The red isn't bright red, its dark red or almost brown, OR the red color starts approaching orange, or the brown starts approaching red, etc...  I'm not color blind but I had to get the ohm meter out sometimes to make sure of the values because I couldn't tell if it was dark red or light brown  :))))
73, Scott WA9WFA


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