Resistor Color Wheel

by robives

28K55626

Intro: Resistor Color Wheel

This project was originally released on my website www.robives.com

Resistors use coloured bands to show their value. There are usually four bands, the first two code for the first two digits of the resistors value, the third is the multiplier, basically the number of zeroes on the end of the number. The final band shows the tolerance of the resistor, how accurate it is.

This color wheel helps you decode the bands on standard resistor so you can see what value they are .

Download the pdf file from the link.

STEP 1:

Print out the parts onto thin card (230 gram / 67 lb)

Cut out the holes then cut out the parts.

STEP 2:

Lift up the three tabs in the largest disk. Thread the other two disks into place as shown above.

STEP 3:

Fold the tabs flat. Dab a small amount of glue on each tab and glue the cover into place. Make sure the disks are free to turn.

STEP 4:

Flip the disk over and glue the guide on the back.

STEP 5:

To use the Resistor Code Calculator, dial in the colours and read off the number - simple!

So for example a yellow, purple, orange resistor, would have a value of 47k ohms. Paper engineering meets electronic engineering.

17 Comments

amy.fish 7 years ago

Thank you for a great design! I laminated my pieces before assembly, hoping it will hold up under the use of my students.

raecherry 8 years ago

Brilliant! Thank you very much!

john mantova 9 years ago

A GREAT REVIVAL OF AN OLD IDEA THEY WERE COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE MAYBE STILL ARE AND WERE GIVEN AWAY IN MAGS LIKE PRACTICAL WIRELESS AND R.C.M.& E. WHITE ART BOARD WOULD MAKE A STIFFER CHART STILL NO DETRACTION FROM YOUR IDEA

anterea 10 years ago

Very nice idea.

Complimenti Idea Fantastica!!!

AssistiveTechnologyServices 10 years ago

This is a great idea! This takes all the guesswork out of resistor selection. I can spot a few (100, 220, 1000, 2200, 10k, 22k...) by sight - but otherwise I can't remember the mnemonics for the colors well enough and always have to test on the multimeter to be sure. This will be a big help.

rpotts2 10 years ago

oh that is too cool... thanks for the 'ible!

robives 10 years ago

Glad you like it :-)

samuraijack 10 years ago

easy to make and great to have.

thank you.

rimar2000 10 years ago

Clever idea, very useful.

jcsmn74 10 years ago

This brings on a "Why didn't I think of that" moment!

robives 10 years ago

Glad you like it :-)

PirateLabs 10 years ago

What a wonderful idea! I have always found it a bit tedious to hunt up my chart when I need it and I never, ever want to memorize the color codes. This is so elegant and simple that I can stick a small neo on the back and stick it to my shelf.

Great job here and thank you for sharing.

Bill

robives 10 years ago

Thanks Bill, I've taped a 5mm dia x 1mm deep magnet to mine, it works a treat. Thanks for the idea!