What does a gold or silver band indicate on a resistor?

What does a gold or silver band indicate on a resistor?

• A. Coating color
• B. Temperature coefficient
• C. Power rating
• D. Tolerance

Answer: (D)

A resistor’s color bands show both its value and how precise that value is. The gold or silver band is the tolerance band, telling you how far the actual resistance can deviate from the nominal value. Gold means about ±5% tolerance, and silver means about ±10% tolerance. This band is about accuracy, not power rating or temperature behavior, which are indicated by other markings or conventions. So, when you see a gold or silver band at the end, it’s telling you how close your resistor’s actual resistance will be to the stated value.

A resistor’s color bands show both its value and how precise that value is. The gold or silver band is the tolerance band, telling you how far the actual resistance can deviate from the nominal value. Gold means about ±5% tolerance, and silver means about ±10% tolerance. This band is about accuracy, not power rating or temperature behavior, which are indicated by other markings or conventions. So, when you see a gold or silver band at the end, it’s telling you how close your resistor’s actual resistance will be to the stated value.