Carbon Resistor

Resistors are one of the most common electronic parts that you’ll use, and their primary purpose is to add resistance to a circuit. The higher the resistance, the lower the current will be in the circuit. Typically a resistor is used to either limit current or divide it.

Resistor Power

When electrical current passes through a resistor, electrical energy is lost by the resistor as heat. The greater the current flow, the hotter the resistor will get. Resistance power is usually measured in the milliwatt (mW) or Watt (W). 1/4W resistors are by far the most common in synth DIY. Resistor power is often determined by their size, so you will sometimes see 1/4W as the resistors size, as well as the power rating.

Tolerance

Resistor tolerance is the resistors value variance when exposed to heat. Carbon Film resistors are made with carbon film wrapped around an acrylic core and have 5% value variation. That means that a 100k Carbon Film resistor’s actual value could vary between 105k or 95k. Metal Film resistors use metal film wrapped around an acrylic core and have a 1% value variation. That means that a 100k Metal Film resistor’s actual value could vary between 101k or 99k in practice. AI Synthesis kits use metal film resistors. They are usually close or the same price as carbon film resistors, so why not get a better resistor.

Resistance Color Codes

Our resistors come in kits bagged separately by value, so you won’t need to decode the value by band color, but if you find yourself in a situation where you need to, this decoder will help:

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