Jeff, he of the mightyOhm, asks:
Have you ever wondered why standard 5% resistors have strange values, like 330 and 470 Ohms, instead of nice round numbers like 300 or 500 Ohms?
It turns out that standard resistor values form a preferred number series defined by the EIA. 5% values are part of a standard called E24. The standard is based on a geometric series – each value is approximately 1.1 times the previous one in the set.
EIA Resistor Values Explained [via The Steampunk Workshop]
Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.
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