Description

A 120 Ohm 1/4W 5% Through Hole Resistor is a specific type of resistor with the following characteristics:

Resistance Value (120 Ohms):

This resistor has a resistance of 120 ohms, which provides a moderate level of opposition to the flow of electrical current. A 120-ohm resistor is commonly used in circuits where current needs to be controlled, voltage needs to be divided, or specific impedance is required. It’s typically used in low- to medium-power applications such as current limiting in LED circuits, voltage dividers, and signal processing.

Power Rating (1/4W):

The 1/4 watt (0.25W) power rating indicates that this resistor is designed to safely dissipate up to 0.25 watts of heat. This power rating is appropriate for most low-power circuits where the current passing through the resistor is not large enough to produce significant heat. The 1/4W rating ensures safe operation in most applications without the risk of overheating.

Tolerance (5%):

The 5% tolerance means that the actual resistance can vary by ±5% from the nominal value of 120 ohms. This means the actual resistance could range from 114 ohms to 126 ohms. The 5% tolerance is common for general-purpose resistors, offering a good balance between cost and performance in most applications where precision is not extremely critical.

Through-Hole Mounting:

This resistor is designed for through-hole mounting, meaning it has leads that pass through holes in a printed circuit board (PCB) and are soldered on the opposite side. Through-hole resistors provide reliable mechanical and electrical connections, making them ideal for both prototyping and final circuit designs, especially when ease of replacement or modification is important.

Applications:

• Current Limiting: A 120-ohm resistor is often used to limit the current flowing through components, especially in LED circuits, where the resistor helps to prevent excessive current that could damage the LED.
• Voltage Division: It can be used in voltage divider circuits to reduce or split input voltages into smaller, manageable levels for other parts of the circuit.
• Impedance Matching: In audio, RF (radio frequency), or communication circuits, a 120-ohm resistor can be used for impedance matching to optimize signal transfer and minimize reflections between components.
• Power Regulation: The resistor can also be part of power regulation circuits, controlling the flow of voltage or current to ensure that other sensitive components receive the correct power levels.

Summary:

The 120 Ohm 1/4W 5% Through Hole Resistor is a general-purpose resistor used in applications like current limiting, voltage division, impedance matching, and power regulation in low- to medium-power circuits. The 1/4W power rating ensures it can safely dissipate heat under normal operating conditions, while the 5% tolerance offers acceptable accuracy for most general-purpose applications. The through-hole mounting ensures durable and reliable connections, making it ideal for both prototyping and finalized circuit designs where component durability and ease of modification or replacement are important.