How much current resistor

Learn more. At what current and voltage do typical resistors explode? Ask Question. Asked 11 years, 5 months ago. Active 5 years, 5 months ago. Viewed 17k times. If you explode resistors with too high current-voltage combination, does it damage your equipment, such as multimeter and DC-supplier, even in the explosion chamber?

How do I notice when a critical point for resistors is achieved, not touching the hot component? I want to test a Zener diode for increasing voltage. I have a great amount of different diodes, but I have no idea which ones are Zener diodes. Which resistors and Zener diodes should I use and how do I find the right ones without exploding them?

Peter Mortensen 1, 3 3 gold badges 17 17 silver badges 23 23 bronze badges. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. If that's below the manufacturer's rating, everything is OK. If you don't know the manufacturer's rating, and you can't estimate it by the package dimensions, you should monitor the current and voltage for a while to see if the resistance is staying constant-- if it changes, either it will start to burn, or your device will stop working.

If the resistance is constant, the resistor is doing its job. Skip to main content. Circuit Values Please enter any two of the following three values for your circuit. These power resistors can handle a lot more power before they blow. Smaller power-resistors are often used to sense current. The power ratings of surface mount resistors can usually be judged by their size as well. But, by applying Ohm's law, we can also use the resistance value in calculating power.

If we know the current running through a resistor, we can calculate the power as:. Need Help? Mountain Time: Shopping Cart 0 items. But, does a resistor reduce voltage or current? A resistor has the ability to reduce voltage and current when used in a circuit. The main function of a resistor is to limit current flow.

Also, with every component in a circuit, the resistor drops voltage across its terminals. The best analogy for this is a garden hose that has water flowing through it. The water represents current. The more you squeeze it, the less water can flow. The main way a resistor reduces current is through its physical construction and the materials used internally.

There are many different types of resistors available each being constructed a certain way. Below are some common resistor types:. Inside this resistor is a solid cylindrical resistive element which is a mixture of finely powdered carbon and an insulating material.

Increasing the mixture of carbon reduces the resistance, as carbon is a good conductor. These disks are compacted inside the body of the resistor between two metal plates. Carbon film — A carbon film is placed on an insulating material with a helix cut into it to create a long, narrow path that will reduce current. Varying the shape and size will provide a range of resistance values. Metal film — Many through hole resistors are made of a metal-film. They are coated with nickel chromium NiCr.

Metal oxide — These types of resistors are made of metal oxides, which allows the resistor to withstand much higher temperatures. Wire wound — This resistor reduces current by using a metal wire wound into a coil. The metal used is usually nichrome wound around a ceramic, plastic or fiberglass core.