Which resistor type is designed to maintain a fixed resistance value?

Which resistor type is designed to maintain a fixed resistance value?

• A. Rheostats
• B. Fixed resistors
• C. Variable resistors
• D. Potentiometers

Answer: (B)

The essential idea here is a resistor that stays at a constant value during operation. Fixed resistors are manufactured to provide a precise, unchanging resistance within a specified tolerance and are not intended to be adjusted by the user. This stability makes them ideal for circuits where a predictable current or voltage drop is required. Rheostats are meant to be adjusted to change resistance, so they don’t maintain a fixed value. Variable resistors cover components whose resistance can change, which means they aren’t guaranteed to stay constant either. Potentiometers are adjustable three-terminal resistors used mainly as voltage dividers; their resistance is typically changed by turning a knob or moving a slider, so they also don’t maintain a fixed value.

The essential idea here is a resistor that stays at a constant value during operation. Fixed resistors are manufactured to provide a precise, unchanging resistance within a specified tolerance and are not intended to be adjusted by the user. This stability makes them ideal for circuits where a predictable current or voltage drop is required.

Rheostats are meant to be adjusted to change resistance, so they don’t maintain a fixed value. Variable resistors cover components whose resistance can change, which means they aren’t guaranteed to stay constant either. Potentiometers are adjustable three-terminal resistors used mainly as voltage dividers; their resistance is typically changed by turning a knob or moving a slider, so they also don’t maintain a fixed value.