220 Ohm Resistor Color Code, Feature and Uses

Resistors play a crucial role in electrical components by regulating the flow of electric current within circuits. These diminutive components typically feature wire leads extending from various sides. Functioning as specialized electronic components, resistors are crafted with the precise purpose of providing specific electrical resistance. Among the commonly encountered resistors, the 220 Ohm resistor holds significance for hobbyists, particularly in conjunction with LEDs. Without a 220 Ohm resistor, standard LEDs would draw excessive current, leading to rapid burnout. The resistor serves to limit the current flowing through the LED, preventing premature failure. A 220 Ohm resistor can be identified through resistor color codes, such as Red-Red-Brown-Gold or Red-Red-Black-Black-Gold.

Consider a scenario where a blue LED with a 3.2V forward voltage and 10mA forward current is utilized on a 5V supply. In this case, a 180 Ohm resistor is required. However, opting for a 220 Ohm resistor, which is 40 Ohms higher, ensures that the LED's brightness is reduced while maintaining adequate protection against excessive current, promoting longevity. In this article, we will explore the 220 ohm resistor feature, its uses and how to read the 220 ohm resistor color code.

What is a 220 Ohm Resistor?

Resistors play a crucial role in electronics by regulating the flow of electric current within circuits. Just as a 1k resistor controls the current in a specific manner, a 220 ohm resistor offers a distinct resistance level in electronic circuits. Similar to other resistors, the value of a resistor is measured in ohms. In the case of a 220 ohm resistor, the numeric value represents the resistance of the component, measured in ohms. The symbol "Ω" denotes ohms, and the value 220 indicates the specific resistance. A 220 ohm resistor, symbolized as 220Ω.

The metric system's prefix "kilo" represents a multiplier of 1,000. Therefore, a 220-ohm resistor has a resistance of 220 ohms, which is a fraction of the resistance of a 1k resistor.

220 Ohm Resistor Feature

A 220 ohm resistor is a fundamental component in electronic circuits, playing a crucial role in regulating the flow of electrical current. Here are the key characteristics of a 220 ohm resistor:

• Resistance: The primary attribute of a 220 ohm resistor is its resistance value. It provides 220 ohms of resistance, adhering to Ohm's Law to control the current within a circuit.

• Power Rating: The 220 ohm resistor has a power rating that denotes its maximum capacity to dissipate heat without sustaining damage. Standard power ratings include 1/4 watt, 1/2 watt, 1 watt, and so forth.

• Tolerance: Tolerance indicates the precision of the resistor's value and is visually represented by color codes. Common tolerance values for 220 ohm resistors are ±5% and ±10%.

• Temperature Coefficient: This feature explains how the resistance of the resistor changes with temperature, measured in parts per million (ppm) per degree Celsius.

• Stability: High-quality 220 ohm resistors exhibit excellent stability, ensuring minimal drift in resistance over time or under varying environmental conditions.

• Reliability: The 220 ohm resistor is known for its reliability and prolonged operational life, making it suitable for durable applications.

• Color Codes: The color codes for 220 ohm resistors follow the industry-standard resistor color code table. For instance, red, red, brown, and gold indicate a ±5% tolerance.

These features make the 220 ohm resistor versatile, finding applications across a spectrum of electronic devices and industrial equipment.

220 Ohm Resistor Package

Like the 500 ohm resistor, the 220 ohm resistor comes in various packages designed to accommodate diverse applications, manufacturing methods, and assembly processes. The two primary types of resistor packages are through-hole (lead) and surface-mount (SMD or SMT).

• Through-hole Packages: With their long leads, through-hole resistors are intended for insertion through drilled holes in a printed circuit board (PCB) and subsequent soldering. Axial and radial resistors are the two main types.

• Axial Resistors: Cylindrical with leads extending from each end, axial resistors are commonly used in applications like breadboarding and hand-soldering.

• Radial Resistors: Featuring leads extending from the same side of the cylindrical body, radial resistors are designed for PCBs where height considerations are essential.

• Surface-Mount Packages: Surface-mount resistors, smaller in size, are designed to be mounted directly onto the surface of a PCB, suitable for automated manufacturing processes. Standard sizes include 0603, 0805, 1206, etc. These resistors include chip resistors, a subtype of surface-mount devices (SMD), with common types being thick and thin-film chip resistors. Their compact size makes them ideal for use in space-constrained electronic devices.

220 Ohm Resistor Color Code

1. The color code for a 220-ohm resistor with a 5% tolerance is illustrated below:

Red, Red, Brown, Gold

Calculation:

• 1st band = Red = 2 (1st digit)

• 2nd band = Red = 2 (2nd digit)

• 3rd band = Brown = 10 (multiplier)

• 4th band = Gold = ±5% (tolerance)

Therefore, 22×10±5%  ==> 220Ω  ==> 0.22kΩ

Tolerance considered as ==> 5%of220 ==>11Ω

The final assumed value of the 220Ω resistor is between 209 to 231Ω.

2. Resistor Color Code 220 Ohm 10% Tolerance:

Red, Red, Brown, Silver

Calculation:

• 1st band = Red = 2 (1st digit)

• 2nd band = Red = 2 (2nd digit)

• 3rd band = Brown = 10 (multiplier)

• 4th band = Silver = ±10% (tolerance)

Therefore, 22×10±10%  ==> 220Ω  ==> 0.22kΩ

And tolerance considered as ==> 5%of220 ==>22Ω

The final assumed value of the 220Ω resistor is between 198 to 242Ω.

220 Ohm Resistor – 4, 5, 6 Band Color Code Chart

	Band One	Band Two	Band Three	Band Four	Band Five	Band Six
Four Band	Red	Red	Brown	± %	-	-
Five Band	Red	Red	Black	Black	± %	-
Six Band	Red	Red	Black	Black	± %	R(T°)

220 Ohm Resistor Color Bands

Each band on a resistor serves a distinct purpose.

The first three bands indicate the resistor's nominal value in a four-band resistor.

The fourth band specifies the tolerance of the resistor.

The initial four bands convey the nominal value for a five-band resistor, and the fifth band determines the tolerance. The additional band in a five-band resistor identifies the tolerance.

In six-band resistors, an extra color band is introduced, providing information about the temperature coefficient indicating how the resistor reacts to changes in temperature.

All resistors come with a tolerance value, signifying that the actual value is unlikely to be precisely 220 Ohms. Higher-quality resistors typically have narrower tolerance ranges.

1. Start by identifying the last band, often gold or silver, set apart from the others by a small gap. This band indicates the tolerance of the 220 Ohm resistor.

2. Once the last band is identified, examine the bands on the opposite side of the resistor. The first two bands establish a base value, which must be multiplied by the multiplier to determine the total resistance value.

3. The third band serves as the multiplier. Multiply the value indicated by the first two bands by the multiplier to obtain the complete resistor value.

Further details on this process are elaborated below.

220 Ohm Resistor Color Chart

Band Number	Function	Color	Value
1	1st Digit	Red	2
2	2nd Digit	Red	2
3	Multiplier	Brown	x 10
4	Tolerance	Gold (or silver)	± 5% (± 10% for silver)
Total Value:                                                                                              220 ± 5% Ω

If you want to measure the color code of other resistors besides 220 ohm resistor color code, you can use Resistor Color Code Calculator, which will help you to identify the color code of resistors accurately and quickly.

Other related articles:

• What is a 2.2k Resistor? 2200 ohm Resistor Color Code
  

• What is a 4k7 Resistor？4.7k ohm Resistor Color Code

How to Read the 220 Ohm Resistor Color Code

Resistor color codes comprise digits, a multiplier, and a tolerance value. Four-band resistors use two bands for digits, while five-band resistors incorporate three-digit bands. In the case of six-band resistors, an additional temperature coefficient is introduced.

Mastering the four-band resistor system is a foundation, making it straightforward to grasp the color codes for five and six-band resistors.

The 220 Ohm resistor is a common choice in conjunction with LED lights, illustrating the process of deciphering resistor color codes.

For a four-band resistor:

1. The first significant figure is red, with a decoded value of 2.

2. The second significant figure is also red, yielding 22.

3. The multiplier, represented by brown, decodes to 10. Multiplying 22 by 10 results in 220.

4. The final band, indicating tolerance, is gold. A gold band implies a tolerance of 5%, allowing for a 5% margin of error.

For those seeking increased precision, five-band resistors incorporate a third significant figure. This additional figure offers enhanced accuracy, particularly in circuits sensitive to resistance, such as scientific and engineering instruments.

Here is a breakdown of a five-band 220 Ohm resistor and its color code:

1. The first significant figure is red, with a decoded value of 2.

2. The second significant figure is also red, resulting in 22.

3. The third significant figure is black, indicating 0. This brings the total to 220.

4. The multiplier, represented by black, decodes to 1. Multiplying 220 by 1 equals 220.

5. The final band, denoting tolerance, is gold. A gold band signifies a 5% tolerance, allowing for a 5% margin of error.

The 4 Band 220 Ohm Resistor

Each band on the resistor serves a specific function:

Band One – 1st Digit: This represents the first digit of the resistance value. In this case, the first band is red, corresponding to a value of 2.

Band Two – 2nd Digit: This denotes the second digit of the resistance value. Similar to the first band, the second band is red, adding the value 2 to the right of the first digit (from band one).

Therefore, the digits from band one and band two are 22.

Band Three – Multiplier: This band multiplies the digits by a value indicated by the band's color. The multiplier is 10^n, where n corresponds to the band's color. In this instance, the third band is brown, equating to the number 1. Thus, the multiplier is 10^1 = 10.

So, the total resistance value the colors give is 22 (from digits) × 10^1 (from multiplier) Ω = 220Ω.

Band Four – Tolerance: This provides the tolerance value for the resistor. Typical values are 5% (gold band) and 10% (silver band). This example employs a gold band, resulting in a tolerance of 5%.

The total resistance is, therefore, 220Ω ± 5% Ω.

Five percent of 220 Ω is 11 Ω. This means that the actual resistance value could range from 209 Ω (220 Ω – 11 Ω) to 231 Ω (220 Ω + 11 Ω).

If the fourth band is silver, indicating a tolerance of 10%, the total resistance is 220Ω ± 10% Ω. The actual resistance should fall between 198 Ω (220 Ω – 22 Ω) and 242 Ω (220 Ω + 22 Ω).

A multimeter can be used to ascertain the actual resistance, considering that it may also vary with temperature. Since resistors dissipate energy as heat, temperature is a crucial factor. In 6-band resistors, the temperature dependence is specified by the last band. Multimeters are practical tools for checking resistors and determining their actual resistance. Always adhere to safety guidelines, ensuring the power is off during measurements, and the circuit is disconnected, with all energy-storing devices discharged.

4-Band vs. 5-Band vs. 6-Band 220 Ohm Resistor Color Code

Encountering 5 or even 6-band resistors is a common occurrence.

Reading 5 or 6-band resistors becomes straightforward once you are familiar with using four-band resistor color coding.

5 Band 220 Ohm Resistor Color Code

In the case of 220 Ohm resistors with five bands, the initial three bands will be red, red, and black (representing 220), while the fourth band will be black, signifying a multiplier of 100, equivalent to 1.

Band Number	Function	Color	Value
1	1st Digit	Red	2
2	2nd Digit	Red	2
3	3rd DigitBlack	Black	0
4	Multiplier	Black	x 1
5	Tolerance	Gold (or silver)	± 5% (± 10%)
Total Value:                                                                                               220 ± 5% Ω

4-Band vs. 5-Band vs. 6-Band 220 Ohm Resistor Color Code Table

4 Band vs. 5 Band 220 Ohm Resistor

Four-band resistors comprise two bands indicating the value, one for the multiplier and one for the tolerance.

Five-band resistors introduce an additional band for the value.

Consequently, five-band resistors consist of three bands for the value, one for the multiplier, and one for the tolerance. Deciphering the resistor remains consistent with that of a four-band resistor. Commence by identifying a small gap between the fourth and fifth bands. Similar to four-band resistors, the last band denotes the tolerance. Subsequently, return to the initial four bands to compute the resistance value.

For a 220-ohm resistor with five bands, the sequence should appear as follows: red (2), red (2), black (0), black (x1), gold, or silver (± 5% or 10%).

6 Band 220 Ohm Resistor

Resistors with six bands closely resemble those with five bands, with the key distinction being the extra band dedicated to indicating the temperature coefficient, elucidating how the resistance varies with temperature.

Band Number	Function	Color	Value
1	1st Digit	Red	2
2	2nd Digit	Red	2
3	3rd DigitBlack	Black	0
4	Multiplier	Black	x 100 = 1
5	Tolerance	Gold (or silver)	± 5%
6	Temp. Coefficient	Any	See Chart Below
Total Value:                                                                                                      220 ± 5% Ω

In this scenario, the last two bands (i.e., the fifth and sixth bands) should be adjacent, with a noticeable gap between the fourth and fifth bands.

Interpreting six-band resistors mirrors that of five-band resistors, except that the supplementary last band provides information about the temperature coefficient.

220 Ohm Resistor Uses

Limiting current for LEDs: Without a resistor, an LED would receive too much current and quickly burn out. A 220 Ohm resistor limits the current to a safe level, allowing the LED to shine at its intended brightness.

Voltage dividers: Resistors can be combined to create voltage dividers, which split a higher voltage into two lower voltages. A 220 Ohm resistor could be a voltage divider to power low-voltage circuits from a higher voltage source.

Biasing: In specific circuits, resistors can set the operating point of transistors or other components. A 220 Ohm resistor could bias a transistor for amplification or switching purposes.

Feedback circuits: Resistors are often used in feedback circuits to control a system's output. A 220 Ohm resistor could be used in a feedback loop to regulate a power supply's output voltage or current.

Caution for 220 Ohm Resistor Code

If a resistor features bands colored brown and red, it is advisable to examine it closely, as red and brown can appear quite similar when situated in a circuit.

Other Methods

Utilizing a Digital Multimeter (DMM) is the preferred method for obtaining the value of a resistor. However, it's worth noting that a digital multimeter may not provide accurate readings when a resistor is on a PCB or connected to other components. In such situations, relying on the color code proves to be a reliable alternative.

Different Watt Types of 220 Ohm Resistor

220 ohm resistors are available in various wattage ratings, each tailored to specific requirements within electronic circuits. Here's an overview of different watt types of 220 ohm resistors, drawing inspiration from the content about 500 ohm resistors:

220 Ohm 1 Watt Resistor:

• This resistor variant is designed to handle a power dissipation of up to 1 watts.

• Suitable for circuits that demand effective heat dissipation.

• Compared to lower-wattage resistors, its larger physical size enhances its ability to manage heat, making it suitable for power electronics applications.

220 Ohm 1/2 Watt Resistor:

• A 220 ohm resistor with a power rating of 0.5 (1/2) watts, striking a balance between size and heat-handling capacity.

• Its smaller size, relative to a 1 Watt resistor, makes it well-suited for compact circuits.

• Capable of handling higher power compared to quarter-watt resistors, providing versatility for various electronic applications.

220 Ohm 1/4 Watt Resistor:

• It is one of the most common resistors with a power rating of 0.25 (1/4) watts.

• Its small size makes it ideal for use in dense circuits, such as those found on printed circuit boards.

• Suitable for low-power circuits, making it a go-to choice for applications like signal processing.

220 Ohm 5 Watt Resistor:

• This 220 ohm resistor boasts a high power rating of 5 Watts.

• Physically larger and more heat-resistant compared to lower wattage resistors.

• Ideal for high-power or high-voltage circuits where substantial power dissipation is essential.

• Commonly employed in power supplies, amplifiers, or any application demanding significant power handling.

These diverse watt types of 220 ohm resistors offer engineers and designers flexibility in selecting the most suitable component based on the specific requirements of their electronic circuits. Whether prioritizing size, power handling, or finding a balance between the two, there's a fitting 220 ohm resistor variant for various applications.

Final Words

The 220 Ohm resistor color code is relatively straightforward and easily learnable for resistors. The recognizable pattern of two red bands makes them easily identifiable. Verifying the actual resistance using an ohmmeter or multimeter whenever possible is advisable.

Read More

• What is a 100 Ohm Resistor? 100 Ohm Resistor Color Code

• 500 Ohm Resistor Color Code, Feature and Uses

• What is a 10k Resistor? 10k Ohm Resistor Color Code

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