resistors (newbie question)

[warrenbaity]

This is a pretty easy question for you guys im sure and i think i know the answer but i wanted to check.

what is the reason that resistors are hooked up in series? i mean why not just use ONE 2k resistor instead of TWO 1k resistors? my thoughts were that its done for to keep the heat down? but for some reason that doesnt quite sound right.

[peranders]

1 Withstand higher voltage becasue wihen you come up to a certain resistance value power isn't the limit, but the voltage is. Small 0.25W carbon, 0.6 W metall film can take max 250-300 volts.

2 You want more power dissipation and for some reason you can't or won't get a bigger resistor.

(Good question, not easy to realize the first answer.)

[Circlotron]

Sometimes it is more convenient to use several smaller resistors on a printed circuit board because they fit the available space better, or because the far end of a long resistor would end up in some bad spot. With two in series you can make a U-turn with the ends right next to each other.

Another thought for low level signals - would several parallel larger value resistors make less noise than one single lower value part?

[Swedish Chef]

Another thought for low level signals - would several parallel larger value resistors make less noise than one single lower value part?

For thermal noise - no. I can see some logic in your question since the noise sources will be uncorrelated but you can do the simple calculations if you are not convinced.

[johnnyx]

I used 16, 1%, 10ohm resistors connected in series and parallel combinations to make a 10ohm 1% reference resistor for loudspeaker measurements. Power resistors are rare at 1% tolerance, so I have the precision of a small metal film with the power handling of a wirewound.

[Variac]

Also sometimes to create values that aren't easily available

[gmphadte]

make a 2K using 10 ohm resistors and at the end u have learnt the art of soldering.

Enjoy

Gajanan Phadte