You may have heard of resistance. It disrupts the electrical current. As the word suggests, the main purpose of the resistor is to reduce the flow of current, divide voltage and adjust the signal level. The electric resistance is measured in Ohms. When it comes to resisting current, we have several types of resistors, from wire wound resistors to thermistors. Let’s dig deeper to know more about the 100k resistor and what are its uses, and how it is different from the rest of the resistors.
What is a 100K Resistor?
As the name suggests, the 100K resistor constitutes 100,000 ohms of resistance. When compared to the other resistors, a 100K resistor is the uppermost limit of the resistors that companies around the world make.
What Is The Color Code of the 100k Resistor?
Color code is the identification of any resistor. A layman may consider it some ordinary line on a resistor. A circuit designer or electrical engineer knows well the purpose of these lines. Color codes have some values and help to calculate the resistance of the resistor.
The color code for a 100k ohm resistor is Brown, Black, Yellow, and Gold. Let me explain to you the first band is brown, and the second band is yellow. Both show digit values one and zero, respectively. The gold band on the resistor represents the tolerance value. It means that the tolerance value may go up and down to five percent.
Uses of 100K Resistors
There are a number of uses for 100K resistors, such as:
1. Voltage Divider and time Circuits
Firstly, one common use for 100K resistors is in voltage divider circuits. They divide the voltage properly. Similarly, time circuits also have 100k resistors. One popular example of a timer circuit is the 555 timer circuit. 100k resistor helps to delay the current flow in some circuits. It is the need for the circuit in a particular device. That’s why 100k resistors are most popular as voltage dividers and time delay circuits.
- Biasing Transistors
Another common use for 100K resistors is in biasing transistors. Biasing refers to the process of setting the voltage levels at the transistor’s input and output terminals so that it operates in the desired way. 100K resistors are helpful in biasing circuits to help set these voltage levels.
3. Current Limiting
Additionally, 100K resistors serve a lot in limiting current. As a result, 100K resistors frequently serve as current-limiting resistors for LEDs to prevent them from burning out due to excessive current.
4. LED Current Limiting
The engineers use 100K resistors to limit the current flowing through LEDs. In order to prevent LED burnout due to excessive current flow, a current-limiting resistor is required. Sometimes delicate parts burn due to the heat of electric current.
5. Oscillators
100K resistors are in practice in oscillator circuits. 100k resistors work best in combination with capacitors and other components. So, Oscillators help generate a periodic waveform,
- Voltage Regulators
A voltage regulator helps to regulate the voltage of a power supply or battery. 100K resistors in voltage regulator circuits help set the output voltage of the regulator. 100K resistors serve the purpose best in voltage regulators.
Making a 100K resistor requires some knowledge of electrical circuits and some basic materials. However, it’s important to note that making your own resistors is not recommended for most applications. A layman doesn’t have proper knowledge of parts placement. That’s why commercially available resistors are typically more precise and reliable. It’s hard to do proper testing of DIY resistors. However, let’s have a look at the making of the resistor.
How to Make a 100K Transistor?
To make a 100K resistor, you will need a length of wire with a specific resistance per unit length. The resistance per unit length of wire is typically given in Ohms per meter or Ohms per foot.
Once you have the correct length of wire, you will need to wind it into a specific shape to create the resistor. One common way to do this is to wind the wire around a ceramic or other non-conductive core, such as a pencil or small tube. The number of turns and the spacing between the turns will depend on the desired resistance and the diameter of the core.
After winding the wire into the desired shape, you will need to measure the resistance of the resistor using a multimeter or other measuring device. It’s important to note that the resistance of homemade resistors may not be as precise as commercially available resistors and may vary depending on the specific wire and winding technique used.
Making your own 100K resistor is possible but not recommended for most applications. It requires a specific length of wire with a specific resistance per unit length, as well as knowledge of basic electrical circuits and some basic materials. Commercially available resistors are typically more precise and reliable. That’s why engineers go for these resistors.
Why Are 100k Resistors Most Suitable As Compared To Two 50k Resistors In A Series?
You can use two 50 k resistors instead of a single 100K resistor. Sometimes this practice doesn’t provide you suitable power rating for the application. The second thing is that stray capacitance or inductance may increase due to using two 50k resistors. That’s why a 100k resistor serves best for the purpose. Another thing is that if connecting the different resistors in series can serve the purpose, then why manufacturers are making different resistors of different resistance? Manufacturers are making resistors of some specific resistances to avoid stray capacitance or inductance issues. That’s why a single 100K resistor serves best and is necessary for several circuits. Two 50k circuits cannot full fill the purpose.
Final Note
So, that’s it with the 100K resistor. Its high resistance makes it suitable for multiple uses. It is possible to use a 100K resistor in several ways, and it contains 100,000 ohms of resistance. We tried to cover the topic from all perspectives. Feel free to share your thoughts with us.
