Resistor ratings (wattage)

[’m‚³‚ñ]

Okay, on this website ( http://www.luxeonstar.com/resistor-calculator.php ) it will usually suggest a 1/8 watt resistor. If, say, you cannot find 1/8 watt resistors, and instead were going to use a 1/4 watt resistor, would you need to change the resistance of the resistor?

 

[Mister X]

No.

 

[mattg2k4]

No, the 1/4 watt means what amount of power it can dissipate without overheating. To determine the wattage that a resistor will need to be rated for, take the voltage drop across the resistor and multiply by the current running through it.

 

[’m‚³‚ñ]

Originally posted by mattg2k4
No, the 1/4 watt means what amount of power it can dissipate without overheating. To determine the wattage that a resistor will need to be rated for, take the voltage drop across the resistor and multiply by the current running through it.

Alright, thanks.