Lab Report: Measuring the Resistance of Resistors

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Abstract

This report presents the results of an experiment involving the determination of resistance values for five resistors. Two sets of resistance values were obtained: one set was calculated using the resistor color code, while the other set was measured using a digital multimeter. The purpose of this lab was to investigate the accuracy and reliability of using the resistor color code compared to the digital multimeter measurements.

I. Introduction

Calculating resistance values using the resistor color code can be prone to errors due to difficulties in distinguishing between colors, misinterpreting the color bands, and uncertainty in reading direction.

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Errors can lead to inaccurate results, especially when dealing with resistors with closely related colors such as Gray and Silver. The primary objective of this lab was to emphasize the importance of measuring resistor resistance using a digital multimeter to ensure accuracy and minimize errors.

II. Procedure

Five sets of resistors were placed on a breadboard, each set on a different row for easy identification.

A table was created to record various information about the resistors, including the number of color bands, the colors of individual bands, the corresponding color band values, and tolerance values. The resistance values for each resistor were initially calculated using the resistor color code and recorded in the table.

Afterward, the resistors were securely attached to the breadboard to prevent dislodging. This was achieved by carefully trimming excess metal terminals using needle-nose pliers and shaping the terminals into a horseshoe-like configuration for a snug fit on the breadboard.

A wire probe was connected to the front panel of a digital multimeter, which was calibrated by pressing the appropriate buttons. The wire probe tips were then used to make contact with the resistor terminals, and the digital multimeter displayed the resistance values for each resistor. A second table was created to include data from the first table and two additional columns for measured values and errors.

III. Results

Two tables were used to organize the data obtained from the experiment. The first table presented the resistance values calculated manually using the resistor color code:

Resistor	Number of Bands	Band 1	Band 2	Band 3	Band 4	Band 5	Calculated Value (Ω)	Tolerance (%)
1	5	Orange	Brown	Black	Orange	Brown	310 KΩ	±1%
2	5	Orange	Orange	Black	Brown	Brown	3.300 KΩ	±1%
3	5	Orange	Orange	Black	Brown	Brown	3.300 KΩ	±1%
4	5	Orange	Orange	Black	Brown	Brown	3.300 KΩ	±1%
5	5	Orange	Orange	Black	Brown	Brown	3.300 KΩ	±1%

The second table includes the calculated resistance values as well as the measured values and the percentage error for each resistor:

Resistor	Number of Bands	Band 1	Band 2	Band 3	Band 4	Band 5	Calculated Value (Ω)	Tolerance (%)	Measured Value (Ω)	Error (%)
1	5	Orange	Brown	Black	Orange	Brown	310 KΩ	±1%	3.2954 KΩ	-98.93%
2	5	Orange	Orange	Black	Brown	Brown	3.300 KΩ	±1%	3.2859 KΩ	-0.430%
3	5	Orange	Orange	Black	Brown	Brown	3.300 KΩ	±1%	3.2885 KΩ	-0.348%
4	5	Orange	Orange	Black	Brown	Brown	3.300 KΩ	±1%	3.2898 KΩ	-0.309%
5	5	Orange	Orange	Black	Brown	Brown	3.300 KΩ	±1%	3.2849 KΩ	-0.458%

The percentage error calculation for the fourth resistor is shown as an example, demonstrating a small error in the manual calculation of its resistance value.

IV. Discussion

The experiment was generally successful; however, it had some limitations. The manual calculation of resistance values using the resistor color code proved to be error-prone, as evidenced by the significant percentage error observed in some cases. Difficulty in reading and interpreting color bands, as well as uncertainty in reading direction, contributed to these errors.

For example, the first resistor had a percentage error of approximately -98.93%, indicating a substantial discrepancy between the calculated and measured values. This discrepancy may be attributed to the misreading of color bands on the resistor, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on the resistor color code for accurate resistance determination.

Although the experiment faced challenges, it successfully demonstrated the importance of using a digital multimeter for precise resistance measurements in practical applications. In real-world scenarios, resistors play a crucial role in electronic circuits by controlling the flow of current and protecting the circuit from damage when used with the appropriate voltage sources.

V. Conclusion

This experiment has shown that manually calculating resistance values using the resistor color code may not be entirely reliable due to the potential for errors in color band interpretation and reading direction. To ensure accurate resistance measurements, it is recommended to use a digital multimeter, which provides more precise results and minimizes errors. This practice is essential in various electronic applications where precise resistance values are critical for proper circuit operation and component selection.