Help with resistors in parallel

Tool suggestions, soldering tips, general useful electronics knowhow.
Post Reply
Steve
Posts: 2570
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:49 am

Help with resistors in parallel

Post by Steve »

Hey guys,

If I replace a blown resistor with 2x resistors in parallel, would this allow them to be more tolerant to the heat / wattage passing through, ie share the load?

resistor-res76.gif
resistor-res76.gif (2.54 KiB) Viewed 2739 times

So for instance, if the original resistor that blew was 500ohm, I would put 2x 1kohm resistors in parallel right? But yeah, would this be effective and make it more reliable? (of course I know you can get higher wattage resistors, but if you don't have any etc would this work)

Cheers
bfollowell
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2018 6:53 am
Location: Evansville, IN, USA

Re: Help with resistors in parallel

Post by bfollowell »

Yes, in your example, two 1Kohm resistors in parallel would be equivalent to a 500ohm resistor. I have no idea how tolerant the combination would be in relation to heat or stress compared to a single resistor.

1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3...
8-bit - 800XL - 1050 w/Happy Mod - XF551 - SIO2PCUSB - Ultimate Cart - an assembled, but not quite 100% working  1088XEL & CF3 Dual, "new" filthy 600XL & 800XL winter repair & restoration projects, 400 restoration project
16-bit - 1040STF, TOS 1.4, Gotek - 4160STE, dual-TOS 1.62/2.06, Gotek - Ultrasatan - SF314 Drive - Golden Image Master 3A-1D Drive
Consoles - 2600 Vader - Lynx II
Maximilian
Posts: 290
Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2019 5:02 pm

Re: Help with resistors in parallel

Post by Maximilian »

Yes, the total amout of power will be divided between the two resistors.

So if the original resistor is 1/4th of a Watt and the two replacements are also 1/4th of a Watt, the replacements will be a lot cooler.

Make sure that the resistors have enough room between them so that they do not heat up each other.
Steve
Posts: 2570
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:49 am

Re: Help with resistors in parallel

Post by Steve »

Thanks guys much appreciated :)
Post Reply

Return to “ELECTRONICS”