Resistors Used in College Electrical Circuits Labs - Any Suggestions?

AI Thread Summary
In a discussion about resistors used in college electrical circuits labs, participants suggest that common types include carbon composition and carbon film resistors, with the latter often identified by their tan shell color. There is uncertainty about the significance of body color in determining resistor type, though some sources indicate that blue bodies may signify fusible resistors and white bodies non-flammable ones. The conversation also touches on the historical use of body color for value marking in older resistors. Overall, the focus is on identifying the correct resistor types for lab reports in an introductory electrical circuits course. The need for reliable information on resistor types and their characteristics is emphasized.
jcoona
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I am taking an intro electrical circuits course which requires that I write extensive lab reports. I just completed a really simple lab about calculating resistance when configured in series and parallel, etc.

In my intro I'm writing a short explanation about resistance, and resistors, and such. For resistors used in a common college lab course, does anyone have an idea what exact "type" of resistor they might be?

I.E http://www.resistorguide.com/materials/ here are a couple examples of what I mean...I figure they might be one of the film types but I am not sure.

Any suggestions are appreciated! Thank you very much!
 
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Probably carbon composition resistors.

EDIT: ... oh, wait ... that shape makes it more likely they are carbon film resistors.
 
Thank you! I thought so also...based on the tan shell, but I didn't know if shell color was the defining characteristic. Thank you!
 
I don't think you can rely on the body colour to mean anything although metal film seem to be mostly blue and carbon film are mostly tan/beige.

One or two web sites claim...

blue body = fusible resistor
white body = non-flammable

Would be nice to find confirmation of that.

On very old resistors the body colour was part of the value marking scheme...

Body colour = 1st digit
End colour = 2nd digit
Dot colour = Multiplier
 

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