Identifying Part Values
Identifying Part Values
4-Band Colour Resistors
The 4-band resistors are the most common component found in a makers arsenal, and the use of colour bands over numbers makes them easier to manufacture (as they are round in shape). However, reading a colour chart is not exactly simple, so read this guide to learn how to identify 4-band resistors.
Through-Hole Ceramic Capacitors
Ceramic capacitors are an extremely useful component in electronics, but just like many components, their true value is not printed outright, but instead, as a secrete code which needs to be deciphered! In this guide, learn how the three-number code system works.
SMD Resistors
SMD components are obscenely tiny, but thankfully for us, those over a certain size (around 0603) have a three-number code printed on them to indicate their value. In this guide, learn how to read the value of 0805 resistors.
SMD Ceramic Capacitor
SMD capacitors are the hardest to identify as they contain no code system whatsoever, but there are ways to get around this conundrum. In this guide, learn how to identify ceramic SMD capacitors and how to determine their value.
SMD Electrolytic Capacitor
SMD electrolytic capacitors are very easy to identify as they contain a code system nearly identical to that of SMD resistors and use a dark band to indicate the cathode. In this guide, learn how to identify electrolytic SMD capacitors and how to determine their value.