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Vintage threads from the first ten years
resistor wattage
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 5/10/2000 2:12 AM |
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JC |
resistor wattage If a need a, lets say, 1K/1Watt resistor for a replacement and I don't have it but I have a 1K/5Watt resistor, can I use it safely? Many thanks. JC |
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| 5/10/2000 2:37 AM |
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| Randall Aiken |
Yes, JC, you can always go up in wattage, but not down. A 5W resistor will sub for a 1W resistor, but you cannot sub a 1W resistor for a 5W resistor. The 5W resistor will be physically larger, but if it fits, it is okay. Randall Aiken |
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| 5/10/2000 2:38 AM |
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| ChrisM |
There shouldn't be any problems with using over-rated components, except cost and size. If you have them and they fit, use them. -Chris |
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| 5/10/2000 2:49 AM |
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| JC |
That was what I thoght, but I just wanted to be absolutely sure about it. Thank you very much for your kind replys. JC |
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| 5/10/2000 3:50 PM |
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| Jim S. |
I agree with the above posts, but there can be situations where it's better to go with the lower wattage rated resistor. This is where the resistor is also acting as a fuse. The classic example of this is a resistor used to limit current from the screen grid of a vacuum tube. If the tube goes bad and the screen grid shorts to a grounded element, then you want the resistor to burn open quickly so other components in the circuit (which may be much more expensive than a resistor) are not damaged by the excessive current draw. An overrated resistor might not open up soon enough, if at all. |
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