TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA

MEDICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ANALOGUE/MEDICAL ELECTRONICS
Course outline
1. Passive components
2. Measuring instruments
3. Vacuum tubes
4. Semi-conductor devices
5. Power supplies
Passive components
Introduction:
Passive components are electronic components that do not require a source of energy to perform
their intended functions. As a consequence they cannot amplify although they may increase a
voltage or current e.g resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers etc

Resistors:

The resistor is a passive component that opposes the flow of electrical current through it. The
amount of opposition to the flow of current is called the resistance and is denoted by the symbol
“R“. Resistance is a measure of how easily or how difficult electrons can flow through a
particular path in an electrical circuit and is expressed as a value in units called Ohms (Ω).

The value of resistance is expressed in ohms (Ω), Kilo ohms (KΩ) or Mega ohms (MΩ)

Resistor symbols:
Basic categories of resistors:

i. Fixed resistors - Fixed resistors have a defined Ohmic resistance value and are not
adjustable. They are the most commonly used resistors and in general the most used
electronic component. Examples - Carbon composition resistor, Carbon film resistors,
Metal film resistor and Wire wound resistor
ii. Variable resistors – these are resistors whose electrical resistance value can be
adjusted as per requirement using adjustable component attached to them. They are
applied in electronic circuits for adjusting resistance to control voltage or current of
the circuit or part of the circuit.
Other categories:
Whilst the majority of resistors are standard fixed resistors or variable resistors, there
is a number of other resistor types that are used in specialized applications, these
includes:
iii. Light dependent resistor / photoresistor: Light dependent resistors or photoresistors
change their resistance with the level of light. They are used in a number of sensor
applications and provide a very cost effective solution in many instances.

iv. Thermistor: As the name indicates, thermistors are heat sensitive resistors. The
resistance of the thermistor varying with temperature. Some have a negative
temperature coefficient, NTC thermistors, whist others have a positive temperature
coefficient, PTC thermistors. An NTC thermistors reduces its resistance with an
increase in temperature while for PTC, Resistance increases as the temperature
increases
v. Varistor: Varistors are available in a number of forms. Essentially these electronic
components vary their resistance with the applied voltage and as a result they find
uses for spike and surge protection. Often they may be seen described as Movistors,
which is a contraction of the words Metal Oxide Varistor.

Terms used when choosing a resistor for specific function:

i. Power rating – this is the maximum Power in Watts, that a resistor can dissipate as
heat without itself getting damaged.
 The main limitation of a resistor is its power rating and can be estimated by its
physical size. Large resistors can dissipate greater powers than small resistors without
getting damaged.
ii. Tolerance – this is the amount by which the resistance of a resistor may deviate from
its normal value. It is expressed as a percentage of the normal value. E.g 100Ω
resistor having a tolerance of ± 10% implies that its value could be anywhere between
10 10
(100 − 100 × 100) and (100 + 100 × 100) i.e 90Ω and 110Ω

iii. Stability – this is the ability of a resistor to maintain its value throughout its lifetime
despite the changes in temperature and age
iv. Accuracy – this is the degree to which the resistance value conforms to the correct
value or a standard value as specified by manufacturer.

Fixed resistor Colour coding:

Fixed resistors are invariably marked with colour codes which indicate their values and
tolerance. Two methods of colour coding common in use are:

i. Four coloured band method

ii. Five coloured band method

Four coloured band method:

Example

Fig 1. Example of 4 band coloured resistor

From the above figure 1,

The 1st and 2rd bands have to do with the value of resistance in ohms, the third band is the
multiplier and the fourth band represents the tolerance. Table 1 below gives the values of the
colour
 Table 1. Resistor Colour coding

Colour 1st and 2rd 3rd colour band 4th colour band
band band (multiplier) (tolerance)
Black 0 1
Brown 1 10
Red 2 100
Orange 3 1000
Yellow 4 10,000
Green 5 100,000
Blue 6 1000,000
Violet 7 10,000,000
Grey 8 100,000,000
White 9
Gold 0.1 ± 5%
Silver 0.01 ± 10%
No colour ± 20%

For the resistor shown in fig 1 above, the value can be calculated as:
1st band, red = 2
2rd band, blue = 6
3rd band (multiplier), brown =1
4th band (tolerance), gold = ± 5%
The Ohmic value for the above resistor = 26 ×1= (26 ± 5%)Ω
Five coloured band method:

Example:
 Table 2. Five band resistor colour coding

Colour 1st, 2rd and 3rd 4rd colour band 5th colour band
band band (multiplier) (tolerance)
Black 0 1
Brown 1 10
Red 2 100
Orange 3 1000
Yellow 4 10,000
Green 5 100,000
Blue 6 1000,000
Violet 7 10,000,000
Grey 8 100,000,000
White 9
Gold 0.1 ± 5%
Silver 0.01 ± 10%
No colour ± 20%

Example:
1st band, yellow = 4
2rd band, violet = 7
3rd band, black =0
4th band (multiplier), red = 2
5th band (tolerance), silver = ± 10%
The Ohmic value for the above resistor = 470 ×100= (47000 ± 10%)Ω or 47± 10% KΩ

Fixed resistor types

There are a number of different types of fixed resistor:

Wire wound resistor: these are resistors used for high power applications. These resistors are
made by winding wire with a higher than normal resistance (resistance wire) on a former. The
resistor wire used must satisfy the following:

i. Must be easy to solder

ii. Must have high melting point
iii. Must be ductile
iv. Must be corrosion resistant
v. Must have uniformity
vi. Must have high resistivity

Advantages

i. Wire wound resistors make lower noise than carbon composition resistors
ii. Their performance is well in overload conditions.
iii. They are reliable and flexible and can be used with DC and Audio frequency range.

Disadvantages

i. They are costly

ii. Can’t be used in high frequency equipments.

Carbon composition resistors: This is the most common type of low wattage resistor. A typical
fixed resistor is made from the mixture of granulated or powdered carbon or graphite, insulation
filler, or a resin binder. The ratio of the insulation material determines the actual resistance of the
resistor. The insulating powder (binder) made in the shape of rods and there are two metal caps
on the both ends of the rod. These resistors are cheap and reliable and stability is high.

Advantages of carbon resistors

i. Small in size hence convenient

ii. Relatively cheap
iii. Negligible self-inductance and self-capacitance
iv. Availability in large range of values

Disadvantages
 i. Low power ratings
ii. Noisy (voltage noise)

Carbon Film Resistors: Carbon Film resistors contains on an insulating material rod or core made
of high grade ceramic material which is called the substrate. A very thin resistive carbon layer or
film overlaid around the rod. These kinds of resistors are widely used in electronic circuits because
of negligible noise and wide operating range and the stability as compared to solid carbon resistors.

Metal film resistors: Metal film resistors are same in construction like Carbon film resistors, but
the main difference is that there is metal (or a mixture of the metal oxides, Nickel Chromium or
mixture of metals and glass which is called metal glaze which is used as resistive film) instead of
carbon. Metal film resistors are very tiny, cheap and reliable in operation.

Prepared by: Mr. Kenneth Njue Nguru. [email protected]

Medical Engineering Department