Carbon comp are very widely used in consumer electronics and they work just fine.
Generally, metal film are more accurate (1% usually) and have a better temp coefficient. They also cost a little more so I like to think that translates into better quality ?
Also, they're also available in a far wider range of values and wattages. 34,468 vs 2,071 at Mouser electronics.
What I was mainly referring to was carbon comp vs. carbon film. Supposedly carbon film is more stable than carbon comp, but not quite as good as metal film.
I've had old carbon comp resistors make tons of noise in audio circuits before. Worst example was one in the preamp of a tape deck, that I could have used for a white noise generator... It was so consistent with the hissing noise it made. I found out later that it had a small crack in it that caused moisture contamination.
Oh, got it. I only use carbon comp in two cases. One, if it's a sensitive circuit like an RF or IF amp. I believe they act differently at high frequencies.
Two, if it's something really special. i.e. rare and valuable.
I agree about the noise and wouldn't use them in anything more modern. Like post 1960. I'm working on stuff from the 20s-40s currently. Those circuits aren't so sensitive to a noisy resistor like solid state stuff can be.
@raddios2 Yeah, I think all the metal film and metal oxide are flameproof.
bandersentv 6 months ago
Is there a reason you try to avoid carbon film resistors? I've used some in a couple amps I rebuilt, but I do prefer metal film when possible.
Maxxarcade 2 years ago
Carbon comp are very widely used in consumer electronics and they work just fine.
Generally, metal film are more accurate (1% usually) and have a better temp coefficient. They also cost a little more so I like to think that translates into better quality ?
Also, they're also available in a far wider range of values and wattages. 34,468 vs 2,071 at Mouser electronics.
bandersentv 2 years ago
Something else to consider - older circuits didn't use the standard values we use today.
For example, I needed a 60K resistor for a radio. With 5% carbon comp, I'm stuck with 56K or 62K. With 1% metal film, I can get 60.4 K.
bandersentv 2 years ago
What I was mainly referring to was carbon comp vs. carbon film. Supposedly carbon film is more stable than carbon comp, but not quite as good as metal film.
I've had old carbon comp resistors make tons of noise in audio circuits before. Worst example was one in the preamp of a tape deck, that I could have used for a white noise generator... It was so consistent with the hissing noise it made. I found out later that it had a small crack in it that caused moisture contamination.
Maxxarcade 2 years ago
Oh, got it. I only use carbon comp in two cases. One, if it's a sensitive circuit like an RF or IF amp. I believe they act differently at high frequencies.
Two, if it's something really special. i.e. rare and valuable.
I agree about the noise and wouldn't use them in anything more modern. Like post 1960. I'm working on stuff from the 20s-40s currently. Those circuits aren't so sensitive to a noisy resistor like solid state stuff can be.
bandersentv 2 years ago