What is Resistor? Types of Resistor, Applications of Resistor



What is Resistor? Types of Resistor, Applications of Resistor

What is Resistor?


A resistor is an passive electrical or electronic component that restricts or resists or limits the flow of electric current in a circuit. The resistor is a very important, useful, and basic component in electrical and electronic circuits. A resistor resists the flow of electric current because it is made of a material that has properties that make it difficult for electric charges (electrons) to move through it. This material made the resistor acts as a kind of obstacle to the flow of current and reduces the amount of current that can pass through it. More resistance means less flow of electric current.


Now you may think why it is called Resistor. It is very Simple. The name "resistor" comes from its function in a circuit. The component "resists" the flow of electric current, meaning it hinders or limits the amount of current that can pass through it. Since it resists the flow of electric current, it is called a resistor. The term "resistor" is derived from the verb "to resist," which means to oppose or hinder something. 


Inside a resistor, there are so many atoms and electrons. When a voltage is applied across the resistor, the electric field created by the voltage pushes the electrons to move through the material. However, as the electrons move, they collide with the atoms in the material. These collisions impede the movement of the electrons, causing them to slow down and lose energy. Thus a resistor resists the flow of electric current.


Different Types of Resistors with Their Applications


Here is the list of all types of Resistors with the important factors based on which the resistor is classified or has different names and their uses, and applications.

Different Types of Resistors

Factors Based on which the resistor is classified or named

Applications & Uses

Linear Resistor

based on the relationship between Voltage and Current

Used in voltage divider circuits, as Load Resistor, Current Limiting

Non-Linear Resistor

based on the relationship between Voltage and Current

Used for volume control, Light Dimming, Temperature Control

Fixed Resistor

No manual adjustment of the resistance value

Current Limiting, Voltage Division circuit, Timing, and RC Circuits

Variable Resistor

Manual adjustment of the resistance value

Volume and Gain Control, Sensing and Calibration, Temperature Compensation

Precision Resistors

highly accurate resistance values with low tolerance and temperature coefficient

used in precision instrumentation, calibration standards, and measurements

Power Resistors

designed to handle high power levels without getting damaged

used in high-power circuits

Surface Mount Resistors

designed for surface mount technology (SMT) soldering

used in compact electronic devices and printed circuit boards

High-Frequency Resistors

designed to have low parasitic capacitance and inductance for use in high-frequency

Used in radio frequency (RF) circuits

Thermistors

resistance value changes with temperature

used in temperature sensing and control applications

Light Dependent Resistor(LDR)

resistance varies with the intensity of light falling on it

Used for automatic streetlights or camera exposure control

Carbon Composition Resistor

made of a mixture of carbon and a binder material

Used in voltage dividers, motor control circuits, audio amplifiers

Carbon Film Resistor

Made with thin carbon film deposited on a ceramic rod or substrate

used in general electronic circuits

Metal Film Resistor

Made with the thin metal film deposited on a ceramic rod or substrate

used in audio and precision applications

Metal Oxide Film Resistor

Made with thin metal oxide film deposited on a ceramic rod or substrate

Used for high-power and high-temperature applications

Wirewound Resistor

made by winding a resistive wire around a non-conductive core

used in power electronics and high-frequency applications

Thick Film Resistor

Created by screen-printing a resistive paste onto a ceramic substrate

used in a wide range of chip or low-cost electronic applications

Thin Film Resistor

made by depositing a thin resistive layer onto a ceramic or silicon substrate

used in applications that require high accuracy and stability, such as precision measuring equipment and medical devices

Fusible Resistor

designed to act as both resistors and fuses

Used for over-current protection, as fault detectors in circuits

Varistor or Voltage Dependent Resistor(VDR)

Resistance changes with the applied voltage

used to protect electronic circuits from voltage surges and transients by absorbing excess voltage

Carbon Pile Resistor

Made by the stack of carbon discs compressed together

used in applications where high power dissipation and adjustable resistance are required, such as load banks for testing electrical systems

Semiconductor Resistor

resistors integrated into semiconductor devices

Used in transistors or integrated circuits (ICs)

Wire Grid Resistor

constructed using a grid-like structure made of a high-resistance wire wound in a specific pattern

used in high-power applications, such as power supplies and amplifiers

Water-Cooled Resistor

resistor element immersed in a water-cooled enclosure

Used in high-power applications where more heat generates

Surge Resistor

designed to handle high-voltage surges or transients without getting damaged

used in applications where voltage surges are expected, such as in power distribution systems

Chip Resistor Array

consist of multiple resistors integrated into a single-chip package

used in space-constrained electronic designs, allowing for efficient placement of multiple resistors in a small footprint

Silicon Resistor

made of a silicon material with carefully controlled impurities to achieve a specific resistance value

used in high-temperature applications, such as in the aerospace or automotive industries

Carbon Nanotube Resistor

Made by using carbon nanotubes as  a resistive element

used in high-power applications, such as power electronics and electric vehicle systems

Foil Resistor

constructed by depositing a resistive material onto a thin metal foil

Used for precise measurement and calibration applications

Zero-Ohm Resistor

have zero resistance

used to bridge connections on a PCB, allowing for easy configuration changes or circuit modifications

Chip-on-glass (COG) resistor

integrated into the glass substrate of a display module

used in applications where space is limited, such as in LCD panels for driver circuit

MELF (Metal Electrode Leadless Face) resistor

They are cylindrical resistors with metal electrodes at each end

used in automotive, industrial, and telecommunications applications

Power Shunt Resistor

designed to measure or divert high currents accurately

Used for current sensing, power monitoring, and load-balancing applications

Printed Resistor

fabricated by printing a resistive ink or paste onto a substrate

Used in Flexible electronic Devices or gadgets

Wire Bond Resistor

created by wire bonding a resistive wire onto a substrate or lead frame

used in hybrid integrated circuits (ICs) and microwave circuits

Current-Sensing Resistor

designed specifically for accurate measurement of electric current flowing through a circuit

Used in measurement applications

Integrated Resistor

resistive elements incorporated directly into integrated circuits

Used in complex integrated electronic circuits

Resistance Temperature Detector(RTD)

Resistance changes with temperature

used in industrial and scientific applications where precise temperature measurements are required



Read Also: 

Thank You for visiting the Website. Keep Visiting for more updates.

What is Resistor? Types of Resistor, Applications of Resistor What is Resistor? Types of Resistor, Applications of Resistor Reviewed by Author on October 13, 2018 Rating: 5
Powered by Blogger.