The Origin of Standard Resistor Values: A Fascinating History | Jason O

In summary, the conversation revolved around the question of how standard resistor values were determined and if there was a specific reasoning behind them. The article shared suggests that the values are related to the colors of the visible spectrum and increase logarithmically.
  • #1
Jdo300
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5
Hello Everyone,

I was spending some time today organizing my resistor collection into drawers when this nagging question came to mind. How did they come up with the standard resistor values that we have now? There must have been some kind of rationale to it as one would normally expect the values to be even multiples of 1, 2, 5, or 10s. Does anyone have any insight into this? Let's here what you all think as I'm sure I can't be the first person to wonder about this.

Thanks,
Jason O
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #3
The colors are related to the colors of the visible spectrum (ROYGBIV) increasing from brown-red (lower frequency) to blue-violet (higher frequency)
 

1. What are standard resistor values?

Standard resistor values are a set of values that are commonly used in electronic circuits. These values are based on a system called the preferred number series, which follows a logarithmic scale and includes values such as 1, 2.2, 4.7, 10, 22, 47, 100, etc. These values are chosen because they offer a good balance between precision and practicality.

2. Why do we use standard resistor values?

Standard resistor values are used for several reasons. Firstly, they make it easier for engineers and manufacturers to produce and source resistors. Additionally, using these values reduces the number of different resistor values needed in a circuit, making it more efficient and cost-effective. Standard values also help to ensure consistency and compatibility between different electronic devices.

3. Who created the standard resistor values system?

The standard resistor values system was created by a group of scientists and engineers at Bell Telephone Laboratories in the early 20th century. This group, led by George A. Campbell, developed the preferred number series and published it in 1924. The system has since been adopted and used worldwide.

4. How has the standard resistor values system evolved over time?

The standard resistor values system has evolved over time as electronic technology has advanced. In the early days, the preferred number series only included values up to 1000 ohms. As technology progressed, the series was expanded to include higher values such as 1k, 10k, and 100k ohms. Additionally, new series, such as the E series, were developed to provide more precise values for specialized applications.

5. Are there any drawbacks to using standard resistor values?

While standard resistor values have many benefits, there are some drawbacks to using them. One drawback is that they may not offer the exact resistance needed for a specific circuit. In these cases, engineers may have to use a combination of resistors to achieve the desired resistance. Additionally, as technology continues to advance, some of the standard values may become outdated and no longer suitable for modern circuits.

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