120K OHM± 5% 1/4W Through Hole Resistance

120K OHM ±5% 1/4W Through Hole Resistor — Carbon Film Axial

The 120K Ohm ±5% 1/4W Through Hole Resistor is a reliable, general-purpose carbon film resistor designed for a wide range of electronics projects — from hobbyist breadboarding to professional PCB assembly. With its axial lead design and compact body, this resistor fits effortlessly into through-hole PCB footprints and solderless breadboards.

Key Specifications

• Resistance Value: 120K Ohm (120,000 Ω)
• Tolerance: ±5%
• Power Rating: 1/4W (0.25 Watts)
• Type: Carbon Film, Through Hole (THT), Axial Lead
• Color Code: Brown – Red – Yellow – Gold
• Maximum Voltage: Up to 350V
• Compliance: RoHS Compliant, Lead-Free

Color Code Explained

Reading left to right: Brown (1) → Red (2) → Yellow (×10,000) → Gold (±5%) = 120,000 Ohms (120K Ω). Easy-to-read color bands make identification fast without a multimeter.

Where to Use This Resistor

This 120K resistor is commonly used in: voltage divider circuits, pull-up and pull-down resistor networks, Arduino and Raspberry Pi GPIO protection, timer circuits (NE555), audio amplifier bias networks, LED current limiting (high-voltage setups), and signal conditioning circuits.

Why Choose This Resistor?

Carbon film through-hole resistors remain the most popular choice for prototyping and low-power circuit design. The 1/4W power rating makes them ideal for signal-level applications, while the ±5% tolerance is perfectly suitable for the vast majority of general-purpose circuits where ultra-high precision is not required.

The axial lead construction offers robust mechanical stability during soldering, and the flame-retardant body coating adds an additional layer of safety for enclosed PCB designs.

Technical Notes

Always ensure your circuit’s power dissipation stays within the 0.25W rated limit. For continuous operation, it is best practice to derate to 50–70% of the rated power (approximately 0.125W–0.175W) to extend component lifespan.