A resistor is one kind of passive component used to obstruct the current flow within electrical and electronic circuits. There are different types of resistors available in the market which are used based on the requirement. The best examples of resistive materials are Mica, Glass, Rubber, Wood, etc.
The unit of resistance is ohm where 1 ohm = 1V/1A. And also, these components play a key role in electronic circuits like signal levels can be adjusted, current flow can be reduced, divide voltages, transmission lines can be terminated, active elements can be biased, etc. This article discusses an overview of types of resistors and their applications.
Types of Resistors
The different functions of the resistor are voltage dividing, heat-generating, LED powering, gain controlling, matching & loading circuits, time constraints fixing. There are different types of resistors available based on the construction, application, tolerance, characteristics, and power dissipation. Resistors are available in different shapes as well as sizes which have different properties based on the construction and manufacture. While designing a circuit, these will help in knowing the benefits as well as unique functions for every resistor. Generally, resistors are classified into two types like linear resistors and nonlinear resistors.
Types of Resistors
1). Linear Resistors
The values of these resistors can be changed once temperature and voltage are applied. Most of the types of the resistor are linear that generate a voltage drop once current supplies throughout them Linear resistors are two types like fixed resistors & variable resistors.
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Fixed Resistors
Fixed resistors are the most commonly used resistors. As the name suggests, these resistors include a stable resistance value. For these resistors, different materials are used which affect resistor properties such as noise, cost, and tolerance. These types of resistors are available in two packages like SMD and axial. Fixed resistors are available in different types like the following.
- Wire Wound Resistors
- Carbon Composition Resistors
- Cermet Oxide Resistors
- Metal Oxide Resistors
- Thin Film Resistors
- Thick Film Resistors
- Fusible Resistors
- Carbon Film Resistors
- Metal Film Resistors
Wire Wound Resistors
A wire-wound resistor is used to limit the flow of current within a circuit. The construction of this resistor can be done with the help of a conductive wire by wounding approximately a non-conductive core. The conductive wire controls the resistance value because it is made with thickness and varying alloys. Usually, these resistors are used in industrial & high power-based applications like fuses and circuit breakers.
Carbon Composition Resistors
The carbon composition resistor is a type of fixed resistor, used to reduce the flow of current to a certain level. These resistors are very old type but at present these are not used much due to less stability and high cost.
An alternate name of this resistor is carbon resistor or carbon composition. The resistance values of these resistors range from 1 ohm to 22 Mega ohms. The applications of carbon composition resistors include welding controls and power supplies.
Cermet Oxide Resistors
In this resistor, the internal region includes ceramic insulation material and also a metal alloy film or a metal alloy layer or carbon that is wrapped in the region of the resistor, after that it is arranged within a cermet or ceramic metal.
The construction of these resistors can be done in the rectangular or square shape where the pins or leads are below the resistors which help while placing on printed circuit boards. Cermet oxide resistors provide a constant operation within high temperatures as their values do not vary when the temperature changes.
Metal Oxide Resistors
These types of resistors are available in axial and fixed forms. Its design can be done with a ceramic rod that can be covered through a metal oxide thin film like tin oxide. These types of resistors should not be confused by metal oxide varistors (MOV), designed with silicon carbide or zinc oxide.
The designing of this resistor can be done by oxidizing a Tin Chloride’s thick film on a substrate. These types of resistors are obtainable in a broad range of resistance through high-temperature strength. Additionally, the operating noise level can be extremely low that can be utilized on high voltages.
Thick Film Resistors
The construction of a Thick film resistor is similar to thin-film resistors; however, the main dissimilarity is that the film used otherwise resistive material layer is used around. So, this is the reason to call it is as Thick film resistors.
Thin Film Resistors
Generally, these resistors are designed through a ceramic rod with a high grid as well as resistive material. A conducting material with an extremely thin layer can be overlaid over an insulating tube/ tube which can be made by using high-quality glass or ceramic material. Further, these resistors are classified into two types like carbon film and metal film.
Carbon Film Resistors
This is a fixed type of resistor that includes a carbon film to limit the current flow to a fixed level. These resistors are generally used in the applications of temperature and high voltage. The operating temperatures of these resistors are equal to 15kV through 350°C of nominal temperature. The best examples are radar, power supplies with high voltage, laser & x-rays.
Fusible Resistors
As compared to wire wounds, these resistors are similar. Once the power rating of a circuit is increased than the particular value, afterward this resistor can break or opens the circuit. So, this is the reason to call it a fusible resistor. These restores execute double tasks which means they restrict the current & also it can be used as a fuse.
Fusible resistors are used extensively in Amplifiers, TV Sets & electronic circuits. Usually, these resistors resistance value is below 10 Ohms.
Metal Film Resistors
Metal film resistor is a typical type of axial resistor and it includes a thin metal layer-like resistive element over a non-conducting body. These resistors act like a resistance wire which generates a high tolerance. Generally, the resistor film layer can be formed over glass or ceramic through sputtering or vacuum evaporation.
This resistor is the lead type and it is very convenient for maintenance as well as manual operation. Metal film resistors are used in high-frequency applications like communications, instruments & household appliances. These resistors are broadly used due to their stable performance, high precision, simple & are lightweight. These types of resistors play an essential role within the electronics industries as well as military aerospace below high-precision necessities.
Variable Resistors
The resistor which resistance value can be adjusted is known as a variable resistor. These resistors include a rotating shaft as well as a wiping contact. This is a linear sliding-type resistor wherever the sliding contact shifts linearly on top of the resistive element for changing the resistance of this resistor.
These resistors include a sliding arm, which is attached to the shaft as well as the resistance value that can be changed through revolving the arm. The applications of these resistors include the radio receiver to control the volume control. Further, these resistors are classified into three types like Rheostats, Potentiometers & Trimmers
Rheostat
A rheostat is one kind of variable resistor that is mainly used for controlling current. In different circuits, they can change the resistance without break. The construction of a rheostat is similar to a potentiometer that uses simply two connections instead of using three terminals. The first connection is connected to one finish of the resistive element whereas another one is connected to the sliding contact which is known as a wiper.
As compared to potentiometers, rheostats must carry current. Thus they are typically designed like wire wound type resistors where the resistive wire can be wounded approximately an insulating ceramic core & the wiper slides on the windings.
These are frequently used like power control devices for controlling light intensity, motors speed, ovens, etc. Rheostats can be changed with switching electronics within power control applications.
Potentiometers
An alternative name of a potentiometer is a pot meter/pot. It is a three-terminal resistor where the resistance can be changed manually for controlling the current flow. The construction of a potentiometer can be done using different materials like cermet, wire wound, carbon composition & metal film/ conductive plastic.
This works like a changeable voltage divider. In this resistor, the connection of two terminals can be done to both the resistive element ends whereas the last terminal is connected to a sliding contact known as a wiper that moves over the resistive element.
The o/p voltage of this resistor can be determined through the wiper position and this resistor works as a variable voltage divider. These resistors are used in audio volume control & many other applications.
Trimmers
Trimmers have an extra screw along with variable resistors or potentiometer for better operation & efficiency. Here, this screw is used to change the resistance value by changing its position to revolve through a small screwdriver. These resistors are built with different materials like carbon film, carbon composition, cermet & wire materials which are accessible from the 50 Ohms to 5 mega ohms range. The power rating of these types of resistors ranges from 1/3 to ¾ Watts.
2). Non-Linear Resistors
The voltage & current characteristics of whose resistors can be changed linearly are called nonlinear resistors. The values of the voltage & current will be changed based on different factors like light, temperature, etc. Non-linear resistors are classified into different types like varistors, thermistors, LDR & SMD.
Varistor (VDR)
A varistor is also called a voltage-dependent resistor or VDR. The resistance of this resistor is changeable & depends on the applied voltage. Once the applied voltage increases or extremely increases then the resistance will be drastically decreased or normally decreased.
So this performance is very useful while protecting circuits in voltage surges otherwise it can cause electrostatic discharges & lightning strikes. The best example of this resistor is MOV or metal oxide varistor.
Thermistor
The resistance of whose resistor mainly depends on temperature is called a thermistor. It is a combination of thermal & resistor. The construction of a thermistor can be done through metallic oxides which can be pressed in a bead, disk, then encapsulated through a resistant material like glass or epoxy. Thermistors are classified into two types like NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) & PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient).
In the NTC type, once the temperature increases then resistance will decrease. Similarly, the resistance will decrease once the temperature decreases. So this kind of thermistor is used mostly. A PTC type works differently from NTC because once temperature increases then the resistance will increase. Similarly, the temperature decreases when resistance decreases. So this kind of resistor is used as a fuse.
LDR
The term LDR stands for Light Dependent Resistor and the working of LDR will be like this, once light falls on this resistor, the resistance will be changed based on the light intensity. This type of resistor can be made through cadmium sulfide which includes fewer electrons once it is not light up.
Once a light signal drops on LDR, then electrons will get ejected, thus its conductivity will be increased. Therefore, it gives less resistance once the light signal drops on LDR & provides high resistance within the dark.
SMD Resistor
An SMD resistor is one kind of electronic component where SMD stands for Surface Mounted Device. This resistor can be placed on a PCB circuit directly using SMT or Surface Mount Technology. These types of resistors are normally available in small size as compared to the traditional type, so it uses less space on PCB.
SMT was invented mainly for reducing the size of the components & also the time it takes to design a circuit. SMD resistors deal only with printed circuit boards that are professionally manufactured.
Other Types of Resistors
Some other types of resistors like magneto, load, shunt and pull up are discussed below.
Magneto Resistor
Magneto resistors include a variable resistance that depends on the strength of the magnetic field. The main function of this resistor is to measure the presence of the magnetic field, direction as well as strength. So these resistors play a key role to measure & detect magnetic fields. These resistors are called MDR or magnetic dependent resistors which come under magnetometers or magnetic field sensors. The resistance of this resistor will change through the direction & strength of the magnetic field.
Load Resistor
The load resistor is one type of component, used as an ideal output when designing otherwise testing different circuits. These resistors are applicable in maximum power transfer, impedance matching enhances output stability, and makes sure the smallest amount of current flow. These resistors are used for the proper operation of the PSU in switching power supplies.
Shunt Resistor
A resistor that has very little resistance is known as a shunt resistor. This resistor can be made with a material that has less TCR or temperature coefficient of resistance. This kind of resistor is connected with the ammeter in parallel and also it can be connected with the load in series whose current needs to measure. Shunt resistors are used to detect current in the circuit.
Pull Up Resistor
Pull-up resistors are mainly used to make sure that a wire is pulled toward a high logical level within the nonexistence of an input signal. These resistors are used in logic circuits to ensure a clear logical level on a pin beneath all circumstances.
Thus, this is all about an overview of types of the resistor and their applications. These are simply electric and electronic components but while selecting these components, some parameters need to be considered like resistance, power dissipation, voltage withstand, tolerance, voltage rating, package and mounting, material construction, capacitance, inductance, thermal range, operating noise. etc. So for a particular application, selecting an appropriate resistor is mandatory. Here is a question for you, what is resistance?