Do you know what the main purpose of resistors is? The primary usage of resistors is “to control the flow of current.” As their names imply, they resist the overflow of current. If you have seen resistors, you would probably know that the electrons collide with ions inside the resistors.
As a result, the flow of electricity immediately slows down. Not only this, resistors are one of the most significant sources of producing heat. Let’s understand resistors with one example – if the resistor is labeled as having high resistance, it simply means less flow of current according to the given voltage.
So, resistors play a vital role in practical applications that we use in our daily lives. That’s why I decided to state a few uses of resistors in this guide. Let’s just follow the footprints of this topic to get insights.
- Circuit Functions:
One of the most common uses of resistors is in circuit functions. Moreover, there are many types of resistors that are used for various kinds of circuit functionalities. Significantly, their use depends on the usage range.
Within that context, if someone is using changeable resistors, the users of such types of resistors have complete control to establish the resistance accordingly. For example, if you try using a knob-like feature, you will change the resistance. So, the change in resistance is responsible for changing the flow of current.
The practical applications of these types of resistors include the following:
- Controlling the loudness of an amplifier
- Changing the pitch of a musical tone
- Controlling the speed of a motor
- Adjusting the brightness of an LED display
- Modifying the temperature in a heating system
- Regulating the flow of current in electronic circuits
Thus, there are many other uses for such types of resistors in practical life.
- Dividing Voltage:
There are specific applications that require divided voltages to work perfectly. Actually, dividing the voltages is very important in some components. When the applied voltage is higher than the required voltage, the supplied input voltage needs to be divided.
Here, the resistors come into work. When resistors are connected in series, they collaboratively distribute the voltage drop. They ensure an even distribution across each resistor. So, this cooperative effort facilitates the seamless operation of appliances designed to function optimally under such conditions.
- Heating:
As I have mentioned before, resistors are one of the best sources of generating heat. The nature of resistors makes them produce “heat” when conducting current through any source. So, resistors are primarily used in toasters, heaters, electric stoves, microwaves, and numerous other electrical heating appliances.
Have you ever noticed a light bulb is a commonly used application of resistors? That’s the reason why these bulbs produce heat. When electricity flows through a light bulb, the metal filament reaches a white-hot temperature. It is generated due to the resistance encountered during the current passage.
- Frequency and Timing:
Resistors are more frequently used to set particular timing and specific frequencies. Many devices used in tall towers and airplanes are the perfect example of practical applications of resistors. Electronic sirens, light flashers, and blinking lights work on the functionality that serves as a collision avoidance measure.
These devices operate by accumulating electric current for a specific duration and subsequently releasing light. In this process, the resistor determines the amount of current to pass from it based on the allocated time. Interestingly, the time in which the current discharge is directly proportional to the resistance of the resistor (if time increases, the resistance also increases).
- LEDs and Transistor:
LEDs and transistors are my favorite applications of resistors. You know, excessive electric current flowing through LEDs or transistors is quite risky. According to my analysis, it is dangerous due to their heightened sensitivity to such currents.
So, what if we start incorporating a resistor into the circuit? It will ensure that LEDs, transistors, and various semiconductor devices operate within the optimal current range according to their functionality.
Wrapping – Up!
So, we have come to the end of our guide, “What are Some Practical Applications of Resistors?” We have found that these electrical components work as a solid force in resisting current supply in a component. We also analyzed that resistors have a wide range of applications that we are usi
ng in our day-to-day lives.
Ranging from blocking transmission signals dividing voltages to lowering the overflowing current and biasing active elements, every other device uses resistors. If you are interested in buying resistors and various other electronic products, contact jinftry.
Do you know any other devices and practical uses of resistors? Kindly share with me in the comments section.
If you have any questions regarding resistors, I’m all ears. Lastly, stay tuned to read more informative guides related to resistors.
