Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: diffrence in resistors

  1. #1
    Conscript
    staylor's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    midland mi.
    Posts
    83

    diffrence in resistors

    Hey all, i was wondering the diffrence between carbon film and metal film resistors. And if one is better than the other.

  2. #2
    Metal Film = Lower % of value accuracy, ie, a 1Mohm 2 % resister could have a value between 1M +/- 20K
    Carbon File = Higher % of value accuracy, ie, 1Mohm 10 % resister could have a value between 1M +/- 100K

    Metal Film cost more.

    if just doing a i/o pin pull up, Carbon is fine, but if building a 555 timer circuit, and need precise timing, then metal file would be the way to go.

  3. #3
    Adult Orientated Mahjong Connoisseur ASSEMbler Extreme
    Never Logs Out
    Jamtex's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    The pest part of Budapest, Hungary.
    Posts
    5,428
    If does depend on what you are going to use them for. However for about 95% of things carbon film resistors are going to be good enough (common tollerance is 5% anyway and 2% are not that much more expensive). Unless you need high precision (which for most things is unlikely, common metal film tollerance is 2 to 1% ) or a circuit that requires low noise (which for decent audio circuits you would).

    As for a 555 timer circuit, you would be better off with a 4060 IC with a low frequency ceramic oscilator...
    Like anyone reads the rubbish in the signature.

  4. #4
    Conscript
    staylor's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    midland mi.
    Posts
    83
    No im just doing video game console mods. So i guess from what i read carbon film will do?

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Jamtex View Post
    As for a 555 timer circuit, you would be better off with a 4060 IC with a low frequency ceramic oscilator...
    or use a microcontroller (avr/pic, etc) with programmable pwm :D

    a 4060/w an oscillator would be nice if you didn't need to adjust the frequency via a variable resister., but yes, if you needed a perfect "100Khz" signal, i would not use a 555 timer, i would build something more robust, and divide it down. , ie, 1Mhz / 10

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by staylor View Post
    No im just doing video game console mods. So i guess from what i read carbon film will do?
    Yes... just dont get some old ones from 1960 that are the dark brown, and the size of a cigarette butt.

  7. #7
    Conscript
    staylor's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    midland mi.
    Posts
    83
    LOL i dont think they are from 1960. I just ordered the ones i need from mouser electronics.
    Thanks everyone for the help!!!!
    This forum is awesome!!!


    Scott

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •