Anatech Electronics RF Microwave Filters - RF Cafe

Resistors and Resistance Calculations

Real-world inductor model with resistance, inductance, and capacitance - RF Cafe Resistors are passive devices used in electronic circuits to control the flow of current. An ideal resistor has no associated stray capacitance or inductance, and therefore performs exactly the same in a direct current (DC) circuit as it does in an alternating current (AC) circuit at any frequency.

Resistivity of Metals, Alloys, Rocks, and Soils - RF Cafe

As an example of calculating a volume's resistance from its bulk resistivity, consider the drawing to the left. Assume 12 AWG copper wire with a resistivity (from the table) of 1.72x10^-6 Ω·cm, a cross-sectional area (A) of 0.03309 cm², and a length of 1 meter. Per the given formula, its resistance is:

which agrees well with typical specified Ω/km values published by wire manufacturers. Alpha claims 1.59 Ω/1000' or 5.22 Ω/km.

Real-world resistors made of physical components exhibit more than just a pure resistance when present in an AC circuit. A common circuit simulator model is shown to the left. It includes the actual ideal resistor with a parallel capacitive component representing inter-element (if present) mutual capacitance, and a series inductive component representing lead and/or solder/bond pads that respond to alternating current. SPICE-type simulators use this or an even more sophisticated model to facilitate more accurate calculations over a wide range of frequencies.

Equations (formulas) for combining inductors in series and parallel are given below.

Inductors in Parallel Formula - RF Cafe

Parallel-connected resistor drawing - RF Cafe

Total resistance of parallel-connected resistors is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances. Keep units constant.

Inductors in Series Formula - RF Cafe

Series-connected resistor drawing - RF Cafe

Total resistance of series-connected resistors is equal to the sum of the individual resistances. Keep units constant.

Related Pages on RF Cafe

- Memristors

- Mil-55342 Markings

- Parallel Water Filters Like Parallel Resistors

- Resistance Conversions

- Resistivity of Metals & Alloys

- Resistors & Resistance Calculations

- Resistor and Capacitor Color Code Charts

- Resistor Markings

- Resistor Vendors

- Superconductivity


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