Resistors

[295 antenna]

Does anybody know how to tell how to tell how many watts a resistor is just by looking at it.. I know the color code but that just shows ohms.

[Deleted User 30222]

I believe (but could be wrong) the actual color of the resistor tells you that. Blue resistors are 1/8 watt, Brown are 1/4 watt and so on. Did you try and Google it

Update: It is dependent on size. [Please login or register to view this link]

[MDYoungblood]

It's more the size than color, 1/8w are about the smallest in a regular resistor unless it is an SMD component where most on that type of board are listed as 1/4w. The color of the resistor indicates what material is used to create the resistance.

3's

Greg

[Bobcat]

I can tell you this.... Resistors are smaller than they used to be. I ordered some 1/2 watt from Mouser for guitar amps.... They were a little bigger that what I used to know as quarter watt.

Typically. Blue is metal film or metal oxide
Tan is carbon film
Dark brown is carbon composition...

[295 antenna]

The reason why im asking because i thought the color meant that also but i go 1/4 watt resistors and they are tiny im ordering 2 watt ones now after asking around . Next google right !? lol

[KP68]

Generally, the body color of the resistor indicates the composition of the resistor and not the wattage rating. Even then that will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer Size and mass of the resistor indicates how much power any resistor can dissipate. Keep some know sizes on hand so that in the future you can compare sizes of an unknown wattage rating.

[295 antenna]

Good