List of electronic color code mnemonics

Last updated

Color coded resistors Resistors color code.jpg
Color coded resistors

Mnemonics are used to help memorize the electronic color codes for resistors. Mnemonics describing specific and relatable scenarios are more memorable than abstract phrases.

Contents

Resistor color code

ColorValue
Black0
Brown1
Red2
Orange3
Yellow4
Green5
Blue6
Violet7
Grey8
White9
Gold±5%
Silver±10%
None±20%

The first letter of the color code is matched by order of increasing magnitude. The electronic color codes, in order, are:

Easy to remember

A mnemonic which includes color name(s) generally reduces the chances of confusing black and brown. Some mnemonics that are easy to remember:

Canada

A mnemonic that is taught in classrooms in Canada:

India

A mnemonic that is commonly taught in classrooms in India:

UK

Mnemonics commonly taught in UK engineering courses include:

Dutch

This mnemonic is commonly taught in the Netherlands:

Vacuum tube era

Popular in the days of vacuum-tube radios:

Offensive/outdated

The following historical mnemonics are generally considered offensive/outdated and should not be used in current electronics training:

Casual use in an engineering class has been cited as evidence of the sexism faced by women in scientific fields. [15] Latanya Arvette Sweeney, associate professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon, mentions yet another as one reason why she felt alienated and eventually dropped out of MIT in the 1980s to form her own software company. [16] In 2011, a teacher in the UK was reprimanded by the General Teaching Council for alluding to an offensive mnemonic and partial use of another. [17]

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References

  1. "Acronyms from the Free Dictionary.com BBROYGBVGW". 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  2. Campbell, Dean. "The Mnemonics Page". Bradley University Chemistry Department.
  3. "USA Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series" (PDF).
  4. Niebel, Benjamin W.; Freivalds, Andris (2003). Methods, Standards, and Work Design (Eleventh ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 297. ISBN   978-0-07-246824-3.
  5. Ganssle, Jack (2004). The Firmware Handbook. Elsevier. p. 10. ISBN   978-0-7506-7606-9.
  6. Ganssle, Jack G.; Noergaard, Tammy; Eady, Fred; Edwards, Lewin; Katz, David J.; Gentile, Rick; Arnold, Ken; Hyder, Kamal; Perrin, Bob (2008). Embedded Hardware: Know It All. Newnes. p. 17. ISBN   978-0-7506-8584-9.
  7. 1 2 Dhir, S. M. (2000) [1999]. "Passive Components". Electronic Components and Materials: Principles, Manufacture & Maintenance (2007 fifth reprint ed.). India: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited. p. 68. ISBN   0-07-463082-2.
  8. 1 2 3 Bhargava, N. N.; Kulshreshtha, D. C.; Gupta, S. C. (1984-01-01). "Introduction to Electronics". Basic Electronics and Linear Circuits. India: Tata Mcgraw-Hill. p. 8. ISBN   0-07-451965-4.
  9. 1 2 Gambhir, R. S. (1993). "DC Circuits". Foundations Of Physics. Vol. 2. India: New Age International. p. 49. ISBN   81-224-0523-1.
  10. Sinclair, Ian (2002-03-20). "Resistors, networks and measurements". Electronic and Electrical Servicing: Level 2. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Newnes. p. 44. ISBN   0-7506-5423-6.
  11. Booker, M. Keith (1993). Literature and Domination: Sex, Knowledge, and Power in Modern Fiction. University Press of Florida. ISBN   0-8130-1195-7.
  12. Pynchon, Thomas (1999). V. HarperCollins. p. 560. ISBN   0-06-093021-7.
  13. Indiana University (1960). Midwest Folklore (v.10-11 1960-1961 ed.).
  14. bigclivedotcom (2016-03-15), A simple guide to electronic components, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2016-06-25
  15. Morse, Mary (2001). Women Changing Science: Voices from a Field in Transition. Basic Books. p. 308. ISBN   0-7382-0615-6.
  16. Walter, Chip (2007-06-27). "Privacy Isn't Dead, or At Least It Shouldn't Be: A Q&A with Latanya Sweeney". Scientific American . Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
  17. Hersey, James (2011-02-25). "Sussex teacher reprimanded over 'racist rhyme'". BBC News . Retrieved 2013-01-23.