Activity 1.1.3 Component Identification
Introduction
In the field of electronics, there are an endless number of different types of components. The
ability to identify these components and to understand how they are labeled is an essential
skill for anyone working in the field.
In this activity you will identify and determine the nominal values for a series of resistors and
capacitors. We will concentrate on resistors and capacitors because they are part of virtually
every electronics design ever made.
Equipment




Paper and pencil
Scientific calculator
Digital multimeter (DMM)
Resistors
Capacitors
Procedure
1. Using the attached resistor color code, determine the nominal resistance value for the
following components.
(Yellow / Violet / Red / Gold)
a) Ra = _______4700____________________
(Green / Blue / Yellow / Gold)
b) Rb = ________560000____________________
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DE Activity 1.1.3 Component Identification – Page 1
(Red / Violet / Brown / Gold)
c) Rc = __________270__________________
(Brown / Red / Green / Gold)
d) Rd = ___________1200000_________________
Resistor Re
(Blue / Gray / Orange / Gold)
e) Re = __________68000__________________
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DE Activity 1.1.3 Component Identification – Page 2
2. Obtain 10 random resistors from your instructor. Using the Resistor Color Code
Diagram, record each resistors nominal value and tolerance range. Next, use a digital
multi-meter (DMM) to measure and record the actual resistance value of each resistor.
Finally, indicate if the measured value is within acceptable tolerance.
Resistor
Colors
Nominal
Tolerance Range
Value
Nominal - %
Measured
Nominal +%
Value
Meets
Tolerance?
1
Gry/r/y/gld
820000
779000
861000
840000
yes
2
Brn/blk/grn/gld
1000000
950000
1050000
1000000
yes
3
Ble/gry/y/gld
680000
646000
714000
697000
yes
4
Brn/grn/y/gld
150000
142500
157500
153000
yes
5
Grn/ble/y/gld
560000
532000
588000
556000
yes
6
Brn/blk/o/gld
10000
9500
10500
9880
yes
7
r/r/o/gld
22000
20900
23100
21800
yes
8
Gry/r/y/gld
820000
779000
861000
861000
yes
9
y/v/y/gld
470000
446500
493500
472000
yes
10
Brn/grn/o/gld
15000
14250
15750
14810
yes
3. Use the attached Disc Capacitor Label Diagram to determine the nominal capacitance
value for the following components.
a) Ca = __________47000 pF -20% +80%__________________
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DE Activity 1.1.3 Component Identification – Page 3
b) Cb =________________470 uF____________
c) Cc = ____________220000________________
d) Cd = __________0.1 uF__________________
e) Ce = ____________1000________________
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DE Activity 1.1.3 Component Identification – Page 4
Resistor Color Code Diagram
Example : 270 
Disc Capacitor Label Diagram
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DE Activity 1.1.3 Component Identification – Page 5
4
Fourth
Tolerance
Digit
7
First Digit
Second Figure
Second Digit
First Figure
7
Third Digit
2
# of Zeros
K
4
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DE Activity 1.1.3 Component Identification – Page 6
Conclusion
1. Why are the measured values of the resistors different from the nominal values?
2. Identify each of the circled components for the printed circuit board shown below.
A. ___________electrolytic capacitor _____________
B. _______diodes_________________
C. ____________8 pin solder socket____________
D. ____resistor____________________
E. ___Axial lead
F. __Mylar / Tantalum Monolithic Ceramic
G. LED_____________________
H. ___fuses___________________
I. _________transistor _______________
A
4
E
D
K
0
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DE Activity 1.1.3 Component Identification – Page 7