I have a large amount of resistors that I need to sort. Most of these are in the 1/8-1/2 watt range. I can read the bands to determine value and tolerance. Is there an easy way to distinguish between carbon film and metal film resistors? Is it as simple as a tolerance value? Some of the resistors are in marked packages but most are on tape and unmarked. Thanks.
Not all but most metal film are 1% or better. They will also be a different body color than the carbon film. Figure out what color body is which kind and you are safe to assume all that color are the same type. You can be safe in assuming 3 bands and a tolerance band are carbon. 4 bands and a tolerance and are metal film.
Cursory research reveals that metal films are usually blue whereas carbon film are usually beige or yellow. 4 vs 3 bands gets me closer. Thank you both for your replies.
Mouser has carbon film resistors in stock with both ±2% and ±1% tolerance, so that's not a good indicator of metal vs carbon film.
Carbon composite resistors on the other hand have crap tolerances. I think ±5% is the best you can do there.
Tom
Carbon composite resistors on the other hand have crap tolerances. I think ±5% is the best you can do there.
Tom
I am well on my way to getting this quagmire of resistors sorted. I have the metal vs carbon sorted out. But now I encounter a different kind of resistor. One is a square cylinder and looks much like a diode. The other looks like a wiener. It has the value printed on it as opposed to the bands I am used to. I am thinking low tolerance or low noise. I will post a photo or two.
Attachments
There are a ton of carbon composites in here. Even a file. Maybe some gee-tar guys or restorers would be interested. I have a lot of high-wattage composites as well.
Well... If you want to get rid of them I'm sure a post in the Swap Meet will work. Carbon comp certainly have their followers.
Tom
Tom
Best I can tell the pictured resistors are shunt resistors. I am new at this but I learn something new every day.
T
They are indeed Dale resistors. I associate Dale with wire wound resistors. I saw this same type of resistor installed on a step attenuator so I assume these are precision resistors.
