Resistor

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Resistor

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element. In electronic circuits, resistors are used to reduce current flow, adjust signal levels, to divide voltages, bias active elements, and terminate transmission lines, among other uses.

Types of Resistors[edit | edit source]

There are various types of resistors, which include:

  • Fixed Resistors: These are resistors whose value cannot be changed as they are set during the manufacturing process. They are the most commonly used resistors.
  • Variable Resistors: These are resistors whose resistance value can be adjusted, either by a manual control or by an electronic control signal.
  • Thermistors: These are resistors that change their resistance with temperature.
  • Photoresistors: These are resistors that change their resistance with light intensity.

Applications of Resistors[edit | edit source]

Resistors are used in a wide variety of applications in electronics and electrical circuits. Some of the common applications include:

  • Current Limiting: Resistors are used to limit the amount of current that can flow through a circuit.
  • Voltage Division: Resistors are used in voltage divider circuits to create a voltage that is a fraction of the input voltage.
  • Heat Generation: Some resistors are used for their ability to generate heat when a current flows through them.
  • Signal Conditioning: Resistors are used in combination with capacitors and inductors to create filters that can modify a signal in a desired way.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Resistor Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD