^{olour code converter}

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The colour code convertor can be copied and distributed freely, but remains copyright ? Distribution for profit seems unlikely, but is expressly forbidden.

The program was written using Borland Delphi 2.0.

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How to use the program

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1. Finding the resistor value corresponding to the colour code:

Hold your resistor with the tolerance band (usually gold) at the right hand end:

Within the color converter program, click on the FIRST DIGIT drop down arrow to see the choice of colors:

Notice that black is not available as a choice for the first digit colour.

Click on green. The focus moves automatically to the drop down list for the SECOND DIGIT, where you select blue in exactly the same way:

The focus moves again, this time to the MULTIPLIER drop down list where you select brown. As soon as you click the brown, the focus moves to the convert button, and the resistor value, 560 ohm, appears immediately in the result box.

When you select resistor colors in this way, the result appears automatically, without clicking the convert button. However, if you change only the first or second digit color, without changing the multiplier color, you will need to click convert to initiate the conversion process.

Note the effect of clicking on the ohm, k and M 'radio buttons'. The color code for 560 k is given, but 560 M is outside the normal range of resistor values and generates an error message.

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2. Finding the colour code corresponding to a particular resistor value:

Suppose you want to find the colour code for a 390 ohm resistor. The program allows you to do this in two ways. Clicking on the drop down arrow next to the result box gives a list of E12/E24 values from which you can select by scrolling through:

Once you have selected 390 from the list, click on the ohm radio button:

As soon as you click to select ohms, the display changes to show the correct colour code, in this case:

As an alternative, you can enter a number directly in the result box. Numbers with two significant digits are allowed, that is, 1.2, 12, 120, but not 121 or 473. If you want to know the code for 1 200 ohms, enter 1.2 and click k. Incorrect entries, or numbers which do not correspond to E12/E24 values generate appropriate error messages.

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3. Tolerance.

Tolerance refers to the percentage accuracy of the resistor value. Most resistors have a gold coloured tolerance band, indicating an accuracy of ?%, but other colours are possible and can be selected from the drop down list.

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4. E12/E24 values.

Resistors are manufactured in values which correspond to the E12 and E24 scales. Details are given in the Resistors Chapter. The program indicates whether a particular value is included in both scales, or is an E24 value only.

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