Elecraft KX1 Manual - Manual (Page 9)

8
E
LECRAFT
Identifying Common Resistors and RF Chokes
The color bands that indicate the value of each resistor are shown in
the text to help you identify each part. However, it's helpful to
familiarize yourself with the color code. The color-code chart (see
Figure 2) shows how to read the four color bands on 5% resistors. For
example, a 1,500 ohm (1.5 k) 5% resistor has color bands BROWN,
GREEN, RED and GOLD.
1% resistors are similar, but use five bands: three significant digits, a
multiplier instead of a gold or silver tolerance band, and a fifth and to
indicate the tolerance. Since the bands usually fill the length of the
resistor body, the fifth band is wider to indicate that the value should
be read starting at the other end.
For example, the first four bands on a 1.50 k, 1% resistor are
BROWN, GREEN, BLACK, BROWN. The multiplier value is 1
rather than 2 in this case because of the third significant digit.
If in doubt about a resistor’s value, use a DMM. It may be difficult to
see the colors on some resistors. Do not be concerned with minor
deviations of your DMM reading from the expected value. Typical
errors on most DMMs and the tolerances of the resistors normally
produce readings that are slightly different from the value indicated by
the color bands.
RF chokes and other small molded inductors look very much like short
resistors. They have color bands that represent the same numeric
values as resistors but because the inductors are short, it may not be
obvious how to read them. In general the multiplier or tolerance bands
are closer to the end than the first digit, just the opposite of the way a
resistor. On small inductors the color bands may be centered on the
body.
If you sort out the inductors before starting assembly, you will be able
to positively identify each inductor from the color bands listed in the
Parts List.
FIRST DIGIT
USED ON 1%
RESISTORS
(SEE TEXT)
SECOND DIGIT
MULTIPLIER
Black
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Violet
Gray
White
Silver
Gold 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
-
- X 1
X 10
X 100
X 10K
X 10K
X 100K
X 1M
-
-
-
X 0.01
X 0.1
COLOR DIGIT MULTIPLIER
TOLERANCE:
GOLD = 5%
SILVER = 10%
Figure 2. Resistor Color Codes.