DIRECT resistor color coding system applies to carbon film,
metal oxide film, fusible, precision metal film, and wirewound (cylindrical
with enlarged ends) of the axial lead type. This system is employed
for resistors when the surface area is not sufficient to print the
resistance value for the past time. At present, Token resistor color
coding system is applying for automatization. The first three bands
closest to one end of the resistors are used to determine the resistance.
The fourth band represents the tolerance of the resistor. Additional
information can be obtained from the first band. Generally, If an
additional fifth band is black, the resistor is wirewound resistor.
If an additional fifth band is white, the resistor is fusible resistor.
If only one black band in the center, the resistor is called zero
ohm resistor. The colors of the first two bands represent the numerical
value of the resistor. The third band represents the power-of-10
multiplier.
How to read the resistor code
First find the tolerance band, it will typically be gold ( 5%) and sometimes silver (10%).
Starting from the other end, identify the first band - write down
the number associated with that color; in this case Red is 2. Now
'read' the next color, here it is red so write down a 2 next to
the two. (you should have '22' so far.) Now read the third or 'multiplier'
band and write down that number of 1. In this example, the 'multiplier'
band is Black so we get 22 Ω.
If the 'multiplier' band is Gold move the decimal point one to
the left. If the 'multiplier' band is Silver move the decimal point
two places to the left.
