How to Add Resistors in Series
Resistors are electronic components that hinder the free flow of electricity. They are used primarily as a way of limiting the power used by an electrical circuit. A circuit had no resistance would pull so much current that it would catch fire and burn out. Many electronic components require very exact amounts of current in order to function properly and precisely chosen resistors to ensure that they get it. Resistors come in a variety of values, from next to no resistance at all to tens of millions of ohms---an ohm being the basic unit of resistance.
If you do not have the proper value of resistance for your project, you may create the right resistance by connecting resistors in series to build it up.
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Instructions
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Scour the resistors' leads with an emery board. Abrade them until the leads are shiny and bright. The leads are the metal "legs" on either side of the resistor. You will be soldering them together, and solder will not stick to rusted or greasy metals.
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Bend the resistors' leads so they fit into the circuit board's holes. Place them in a row, with the right lead of one placed in the hole that is next to the left lead of the next resistor in the row. It does not matter which direction they are facing. Current flows through a resistor in either direction.
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Switch on the soldering iron. When the iron is hot, touch its tip with the solder. Hold the solder to the iron until the tip is covered in a thin layer of solder. Turn the iron off and allow it to cool back down to room temperature. Once it is cool, wipe the tip with the wet sponge. This process is called "tinning" the iron. It helps the iron transfer its heat more effectively to the parts you will be soldering.
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Switch on the soldering iron once more. Touch the solder to the leads of the first two adjacent resistors. Touch the tip of the soldering iron to the solder and both leads at the same time. The solder will flow onto the leads, connecting them in a small bead of molten metal. Remove the tip of your soldering iron. Repeat this process for all the resistors in the row, until each lead of each resistor is connected to the resistors on either side of it. The first and last resistor will each have one lead unconnected.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice your soldering skills on spare parts to get enough experience to avoid mistakes before trying to do it for real.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit resistor image by Witold Krasowski from Fotolia.com
