How Many Types of Resistance

Introduction

The broad classification of resistances figures out that there are two types of resistances, which are again categorized depending on their characteristic features, constituting materials, etc. Resistance is one of the fundamental components of every electrical device or circuit. Do you know how many fundamental components are there in any electrical circuit? As such, the resistances have wide applications. Do you know the terms rheostat and potentiometer? They also fall under the category of resistance. Do you know that resistances can be fixed and Non-Linear types? Also, the resistances depend on environmental factors like temperature and electrical parameters like voltage. Let's go right into the fascinating world of resistance and study it more closely.

What is The Resistance?

When we apply some voltage across a closed electrical circuit, the current flows. But due to the inherent properties of the conducting material of the electrical circuit, the passage of current is not smooth, rather it offers some obstruction. This attribute of resisting the flow of current in any electrical circuit is termed resistance.

Thus, the electrical component exhibiting the property of resistance is called a resistor.

The famous Ohm’s Law also provides a tool for defining resistance in the following way.

The proportionality constant between the voltage applied and the current drawn in any electrical circuit is known as resistance.

The Factors on Which The Resistance Depends

The following are some of the factors that influence the resistance of the material or the circuit.

• The variety of material that is employed to make up the resistance, as different elements have different inherent resistivities.

• The temperature of the circuit and its surroundings affect the constituent material.

• The length of the elements employed in the resistive circuit.

• The area of the cross-section of the element used.

The Types of Resistances

The broad classification of resistances allows the following two types.

• Linear Resistances

• Non-Linear Resistances

The division of the Linear Resistors gives us the below-mentioned types of resistances.

• Fixed Resistances

• Variable Resistances

The further subdivision of the Fixed Resistors allows us to have the under-mentioned types of resistances.

• Wire wound Resistors

• Carbon Composition Resistors

• Thin Film Resistors - This resistance includes the following two varieties

• Carbon Film Resistors

• Metal Film Resistors

• Thick Film Resistors - This resistance is subdivided into the following three varieties

• Metal Oxide Resistors

• Fusible Resistors

• Cermet Oxide Resistors

Well, the Variable resistors are simply of the three following varieties.

• Rheostats

• Potentiometers

• Trimmers

Now, we will name the following types of resistances obtained from the classification of the Non-Linear Resistors.

• Varistor

• Photoresistor

• Thermistor

• Surface Mounted devices type resistors

Different Uses of Resistance

We write down here some of the magnificent utilities of the various types of resistances.

• It is the constituent element of any electrical gadget.

• Its wide usage in the flourishing electronic arena is appreciable.

• It is used in constructing the current measuring devices.

• It is used in building voltage-measuring devices.

• It is utilized as a controlling element or current-limiting element in certain electric circuits.

• It finds application in various experiments and projects carried out at laboratories.

Conclusion

• The International System of Units (SI) unit of resistance is Ohm, One Ohm of resistance is equal to the ratio of a voltage of one Volt and one Ampere current.

• The current measuring devices are known as ammeters.

• The voltage measuring devices are called voltmeters.

• The voltmeters employ resistances as multipliers.

• The ammeters incorporate resistances as shunts.

• The fusible resistors that we often refer to by the term fuses are basically, used as protective devices.

• The water heaters employ the resistances for temperature variation.

• The electrical regulators [not the small-sized electronic regulators] of the ceiling fans employ variable resistances to control the speed of the fans.

• The photoresistors are also called photoconductive cells.

• The LDR is used to denote the light-dependent resistors.

• The VDR is employed to refer to voltage-dependent resistors.

• In a potentiometer, the variable resistor is smartly used to control the level of voltage applied.

• The rheostats entertain the variable resistor to control the current flowing through the circuits