Resistor Color Wheel

This project was originally released on my website www.robives.com

Resistors use coloured bands to show their value. There are usually four bands, the first two code for the first two digits of the resistors value, the third is the multiplier, basically the number of zeroes on the end of the number. The final band shows the tolerance of the resistor, how accurate it is.

This color wheel helps you decode the bands on standard resistor so you can see what value they are .

Download the pdf file from the link.

Print out the parts onto thin card (230 gram / 67 lb)

Cut out the holes then cut out the parts.

Lift up the three tabs in the largest disk. Thread the other two disks into place as shown above.

Fold the tabs flat. Dab a small amount of glue on each tab and glue the cover into place. Make sure the disks are free to turn.

Flip the disk over and glue the guide on the back.

To use the Resistor Code Calculator, dial in the colours and read off the number - simple!

So for example a yellow, purple, orange resistor, would have a value of 47k ohms. Paper engineering meets electronic engineering.