INTRODUCTION TO MULTIMETERS AND COLOUR CODING OF RESISTOR

OBJECTIVE: i) To become familiar with basic laboratory equipment and component.

ii) To understand the operating and principle of analogue and digital
multimeters.
iii) To determine the value of resistors from their code.
iv) To measure a resistor using the various resistance range of an ohmmeter.
INTODUCTION:
Resistance values are indicated by a standard color code. This code uses color band onthe
body of resistor.Two types of variable resistors are rheostat and potentiometer. A rheostat is
essentially atwo-terminal device while a potentiometer is a three-terminal device.
APPARATUS/MATERIALS:
1. Analog and digital multimeter.
2. Five various value of resistor.
SAFETY:
1. Before making measurement, check if the function and range is set in proper position.
2. Always start with this instrument from the highest range of the function to be
measured. Pay careful ettention to the maximum rated voltage of each range and input
terminal.
3. Never ground yourself when taking electrical instruments. Keep your body isolated
from ground by using dry clothing ,rubber mats or any suitable and approved
insulating materials.
4. The 20A range is unprotected and has a very low internal resistance. It might cause
hazard if a voltage signal is input into this terminal.
5. Disconnect line power or input signal before accesing fuse.

THEORY:

Two types of measuring instrument in common use are analogue meters and digital meters. In
the analogue meter, a pointer indicates the measured value on the calibrated scale but the
value measured by the digital meters appears as a number consisting of three or four digits on
the lighted display. Meter may be single function devices, such as the voltmeter , which can
measure only voltage. Alternatively, they may be multipurpose device, such as the
multimeter, which is used to measure a variety of electrical quantities, such as voltage
DC/AC, current DC and resistance.

PART LIST
1.
2.
3.

Indicator zero corrector

Range selector switch knob

Measuring terminal+
4.

Measuring terminal

COM(common)
5. Output (series condenser) terminal
6. 0 adjusting knob
7. Panel
8. Indicator pointer
9. Rear case bolt
10. Rear case
11. Connector hFE test
12. Connection pin to tester
13. Transister base clip
14. Transiter collector clip

No. of zeroes
(multiplier 3rd
band)

% Tolerance

% Reliability

( 4th band )

( 5th band )

Black

Significant
figure
st
(1 and 2nd
bands)
0

Brown

1(10)

0.1

Red

2(10)

0.01

Orange

3(10)

0.001

Yellow

4(104)

0.0001

Green

5(105)

0.5

0.00001

Blue

6(106)

0.25

0.000001

Violet

7(107)

0.10

0.0000001

Gray

8(108)

0.05

0.00000001

White

9(109)

0.000000001

Gold

(0.1 or 10-1)

0.1

silver

(0.01 or 10-2)

10

0.01

Colour

Table 1: Resistor Colour Codes

PROCEDURE:
1. Determine the resistance according to its colour code
2. Do a calibration using analogue multimeter by choosing the suitable range (x1,
x10, x100, x1k, x10k).
3. To obtain accurate resistance value, perform zero adjustment before
measurement.
4. Record the resistance colour band, coded resistance value and tolerance in
table 2.
5. Measure the resistance value using digital multimeter and record the result in
table 2.

RESULT:
Resistor
1st colour band
2nd colour band
Colour
3rd colour band
code
Tolerance, %
Coded value,
Analog
Value in scale
Multiplier
Multimeter
Measure value,
Digital
Measure value,
Multimeter

R1
2
2
0
1%
10

R2
2
7
0
1%
1

R3
1
5
0
1%
10

R4
6
8
0
1%
1

R5
1
2
0
1%
1

0.5490

269.75

1.5023

0.6769

119.40

Table 2

DISCUSSION:
1. Explain the prevention step that should be done to prevent multimeter from damage.

Besides not dropping it,prevent damage to a multimeter by never connecting it to

a circuit that it is not intent to measure that example in ohm mode,you would not
to connect the meter to a circuit that has voltage present.
2. Compare the analog and digital multimeter in obtaining an accurate measurement.
From your opinion, which one is better?
- I think digital multimeter is better good to use.

CONCLUSION:
We concluded that students are indeed not at fault if they get bad results in the lab, given that
they followed the procedure correctly. Additionally, since only the resistors with small
resistances appeared defective, they can avoid defective resistors by using resistors with high
resistance.

REFERENCES:
1. Nick England, Physic Matters , Third Edition (2001) Call No : QC 5.56 E 578P 1989
2. Foo SengTeek, Yee Cheng Teik, Chong GeokChuan& Lee BengHin. Success Physic SPM.
2007. Oxford FajarSdn. Bhd.
3. Lim SeangKee. New Vision Physic Form 4.2006 .SNP Panpac (M) Sdn. Bhd.
4. Bb 101 Engineering Science Edited By :AziaIdayuBintiAwang.
5. Xpress Pro Physic Edited By : Lim Ching Chai , Cheah Sin Hock , KhoGohKow, GohEng
Hoe ,Low Yen Fong.
6. Internet.