That's a good point. Perhaps I can expand on that..FredGarvin said:A resistor is "failed" when it doesn't provide the amount of resistance it is rated to, whether it be too much or too little.
A resistor can fail due to various factors such as overheating, excessive current flow, physical damage, or poor quality materials. The most common cause of resistor failure is overheating, which can be caused by using a resistor with a lower power rating than required, operating at a higher temperature than recommended, or being exposed to a high voltage surge.
The best way to determine if a resistor has failed is by measuring its resistance using a multimeter. If the resistance reading is significantly higher or lower than the marked value, it indicates an open or short circuit, respectively. Another way is to visually inspect the resistor for any physical damage or discoloration, which can also indicate a failure.
An open circuit failure occurs when the resistor's connection is broken, and there is no current flow through it. This can happen due to a broken wire, a disconnected lead, or a damaged component. An open circuit failure can result in a complete loss of functionality of the circuit.
A short circuit failure occurs when the resistor's resistance drops to almost zero, resulting in a high current flow. This can happen due to a damaged resistor, a solder bridge, or a faulty connection. A short circuit failure can lead to overheating, damage to other components, and even fire hazards.
In most cases, a failed resistor cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced. However, if the failure is due to a damaged connection or a solder bridge, it can be fixed by re-soldering or replacing the affected components. It is essential to identify the cause of failure before attempting any repairs to ensure the issue does not occur again.