12K Ohms (1/4 Watt) Resistor

Introduction

The 12K Ohms (1/4 Watt) resistor is an essential electronic component used in a variety of applications where precise current and voltage regulation is needed. With a resistance value of 12,000 Ohms and a power dissipation rating of 1/4 Watt, this resistor is designed for both hobbyist projects and professional circuits. Its precision and durability make it a reliable choice for use in voltage dividers, signal conditioning, and current-limiting circuits.

Key Specifications

• Resistance Value: 12,000 Ohms (12K Ohms)
• Power Rating: 1/4 Watt (250 mW)
• Tolerance: Typically ±5% or ±1%, depending on the model
• Temperature Coefficient: ±200 to ±400 ppm/°C, ensuring stable operation even under temperature variations

Construction and Design

This 12K Ohms resistor is constructed from high-quality materials, such as carbon film, metal film, or metal oxide, ensuring long-lasting and stable performance. The resistor features a compact cylindrical body with color-coded bands to indicate its resistance value and tolerance. Axial leads extend from each end of the resistor, making it easy to install in through-hole designs on printed circuit boards (PCBs) or breadboards. Its small size allows for easy integration into both compact and larger circuits.

Applications

The 12K Ohms resistor has versatile uses across many different applications, including:

• Voltage Dividers: Often used in voltage divider circuits, this resistor helps to reduce voltage levels, allowing devices like microcontrollers, sensors, and other components to operate at their required voltage levels.
• Current Limiting: In circuits involving LEDs or other sensitive components, the 12K Ohms resistor acts as a current-limiting device, protecting against damage due to excessive current flow.
• Signal Filtering: Used in analog and digital signal conditioning circuits, the 12K Ohms resistor helps filter unwanted noise from signals, resulting in cleaner and more reliable data transmission.
• Transistor Biasing: It can be used to set the bias point of transistors in amplifier circuits, ensuring that the transistor operates efficiently and without distortion.
• Pull-Up/Pull-Down Resistors: The resistor can be employed as a pull-up or pull-down resistor in digital circuits, helping to stabilize logic levels for inputs to microcontrollers, logic gates, or other digital components.

Advantages

• Precision: The 12K Ohms resistor offers accurate and stable resistance, ensuring consistent performance in both precision and general-purpose circuits.
• Durability: With its robust construction, this resistor can withstand temperature fluctuations, voltage spikes, and other environmental challenges, making it ideal for long-term use.
• Versatility: The 12K Ohms resistance value makes this resistor adaptable for various applications, from current limiting to signal filtering, making it a flexible solution for many types of circuits.
• Compact and Lightweight: Its small form factor and lightweight design make it easy to use in space-constrained circuits, such as portable electronics, without sacrificing performance.

Conclusion

The 12K Ohms (1/4 Watt) resistor is a reliable, versatile component that plays a crucial role in regulating voltage and current in a wide range of electronic circuits. Whether used in voltage dividers, signal filtering, current limiting, or transistor biasing, this resistor ensures stability and precision in your designs. Its durable construction, compact size, and wide applicability make it a valuable addition to any electronics project, from hobbyist builds to advanced professional circuits.

IC 7805 Regulator (Pack of 5)