You must be wondering what the colorful stripes found on the resistor really means. Or you really wish to know what functions the 4.7K resistors serve in electronics. Here we are to explain the ins and the outs of the 4k7 resistors. These include their applications and basic properties.
What Does a 4.7 K Resistor?
The 4.7 k resistor can be described as any electronic component that has a resistance of 4700 ohms or 4.7 kilo-ohms. This “k” is seen in 4k7 means kilo which indicates 1000. A resistor’s resistance can be measured in ohms which is an electrical resistance unit. Resistors are useful in limiting the electric current flow in circuits and are usually utilized in different electronic devices.
You can easily recognize the 4.7k resistor due to its unique pattern of violet, yellow, red, and violet color bands. Furthermore, the band versions 5 and 6 comes with a pattern of violet, yellow, brown, black, followed by its temperature coefficient band and tolerance band on the band version 6.
There is one difficulty with the resistance 4.7 k ohm resistor. This is happening because you can easily confuse it with the 470 ohm resistor. Therefore take note of this and verify mak8ng use of the multimeter or color codes where necessary.
Color Bands of the 4.7 k Ohm Resistor
Every band found on 4.7 kilo ohm resistors comes with a unique purpose. Regardless of the number of bands present in them, all the color-coded resistors have a minimum of two digit bands. One is a multiplier band, while the other is tolerance. This structure forms the four-band resistor color codes; the five as well as six band resistors usually add to the basic structure.
In four band resistors, the initial three digits will give the nominal value of the resistor. While the fourth band will give the resistor’s tolerance. Although the resistor comes with the nominal value of 4.7k ohm, its actual resistance would vary a little bit below or above its nominal value. This tolerance reveals to us the expected range. Resistors of higher quality features improved tolerance over the ones with lower quality.
In the five band resistors, the initial four bands will reveal the resistor’s nominal value. Take note that the extra band of the resistor helps in adding a specific digit to its nominal value. Consider this as an additional digit which has been added into the front, with other bands that retains similar functions as the four band resistor. Also, the final band, which is the 5th band, identifies tolerance.
The six band resistor helps in adding a new color band at the resistor’s end, which reveals the coefficient of the temperature. This indicates the resistor’s sensitivity to changes in temperature. All resistors come with its own tolerance value. This means the value may not be 4.7 ohms exactly. Resistors with higher quality feature tighter tolerances.
4 Band Vs. 5 Band 4.7 k Ohm Resistor
According to our explanation, four band resistors feature two bands for the value. The first value is the tolerance while the second value is for the multiplier. Five band resistors feature three different bands for the value in which one is for the tolerance and one is for the multiplier.
The process of analyzing the five band resistor is similar to the four band resistor. Therefore, you have to look for any gap between the fourth band and the fifth bands. However, the last band in the four band resistors reveals the tolerance. You can then use the first four bands to get the resistance value.
There should be an order of violet (7), brown (x10), yellow (4), gold or silver (+-5% or 10%).
What is Resistance Tolerance of 4.7K Resistor?
The tolerance of a resistor indicates the resistance value of a resistor can feature. Therefore, the tolerance of a resistance 4.7 K ohm resistor depends on the specific series and the manufacturer of the resistor. 4.7 K ohm resistors have common tolerances which are 10%, 5%, and 1%.
- For a 4.7K resistor with a 10% tolerance, the actual resistance ranges from 4.23k ohms to 5.17k ohms
- For a 4.7K resistor with a 5% tolerance, the actual resistance ranges from 4.46k ohms to 4.935K ohms
- For a 4.7K resistor with 1% tolerance, the actual resistance ranges from 4.653 ohms to 4.747K ohms
Common Applications of 4.7K Ohm Resistors
The 4.7K Ohm resistor is widely used in different applications. This resistor serves a lot of purpose.
Voltage dividers
4.7K ohm resistors is widely integrated in voltage dividers. These resistors produce a particular level of voltage. Also, there are two resistors on series in a voltage divider and the output voltage is very proportional to the two resistor values. Due to the tolerance level and availability of 4.7 Kilo ohm resistors, they are ideal for use in voltage dividers.
Current limiting
Also, you can use 4.7K ohm resistors to limit current. For instance, these resistors can help to restrict the flow of current via an LED. They can as well prevent the occurrence of overvoltage in a microcontroller input.
Pull-up or pull-down resistors
These resistors also serve as pull-down or pull-up resistors in digital circuits in order to ensure the maintenance of the voltage level of a signal. This is possible even in cases where you can’t actively drive the signal. Therefore, 4.7K ohm resistors can prevent floating in input signals which is caused by an unexpected behavior.
Oscillator circuits
Another use case of a 4.7K ohm resistor is in oscillator circuits. This resistor helps to set the frequency of an oscillator. Also, you can use this resistor with other components like transistors and capacitors to produce a particular frequency signal.
Analogue Signal conditioning
4.7k ohm resistors serve some purposes in analogue circuits. These resistors are suitable for signal conditioning circuits as they help to adjust offset or gain of an input signal.
Conclusion
You can easily learn the color code of the 4.7 kilo ohm resistors for all resistor types. This distinctive pattern of violet and yellow band makes you spot them easily. Moreover, you may confuse them with the 470 ohm resistor that features violet and yellow bands. Therefore, it is very necessary that you verify making use of a multimeter or color code if possible.
