Should resistors be outlawed?

[Asimov]

"jakdedert" wrote to "All" (15 Jul 03 12:07:02)
--- on the topic of "Re: Should resistors be outlawed?"

You should all burn your resistor colour code cards and run to Canada!

It's in the nature of the resistor to resist but for the Borg resistance
is futile.


ja> From: "jakdedert" <jdedert@bellsouth.net>

ja> If resistors are outlawed, only outlaws will have resistors.

ja> jak


.... Letterman of Borg - "Ok, Top 10 reasons why resistance is futile:"

 

[Wade Hassler]

"feklar" <feklar@rock.com> wrote in message news:<K9ZQa.674$bB5.573@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com>...

OK, OK, I made an ass of myself. I did say, right out front remember,

snip

You are right. I apologize for my previous, snarky, reply.
The conversion of useful energy into not-as-useful waste heat is the
price we pay for interaction with the physical universe. Looking for
ways to minimize the loss is a noble and interesting task. But to
propose that laws be passed to remedy this depressing fact just makes
my teeth ache
Wade hassler

 

[EsMot]

Have you ever seen a DC transformer? I didn't...

"George R. Gonzalez" <grg2@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:s4vUa.151708$H17.53242@sccrnsc02...

"feklar" <feklar@rock.com> wrote in message
news:hIPPa.3$7C5.2910303@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...

Can any resistor that exists be replaced by a AC or DC
transformer? (think miniature transformer for small value parts)?


You could replace some resistors with transformers, but you have to take
the
long view:

How long will it take for this $2 transformer to pay for itself to replace
this 2 cent resistor?
Plus, how much energy did it take to refine the iron and copper, make the
plastic bobbin,
wind the coils, test the transformer, package and ship it?

I suspect it would take many YEARS for the average transformer to pay for
itself,
if ever. Oh, you also have to take into account the cost of money-- i.e.
can this transformer
return say 10% per year, just to break-even on the $2 you have invested in
it that you
could have used for something else?

I suspect the average transformer in place of resistor cannot even pay the
interest.



--------

Another way is to reduce the amount of current drawn by the resistor--
we're
well on the
way doing this, by using IC's that run on lower voltages.

 

uh, transformers also produce heat

I am not the expert, so maybe this is a stupid or ignorant idea. On the
other hand, maybe I'm right, so at the risk of flames I will either make
sense or make an ass of myself.

Resistors are used in circuits to step down voltages. The excess voltage is
radiated away as heat.

A question: Can any resistor that exists be replaced by a AC or DC
transformer? (think miniature transformer for small value parts)?

If am I right in presuming that, then the use of resistors must continually
flush probably at least a Gigawatt down a toilet somewhere in the USA alone
every day, just as waste heat. (What's the total power generation capacity
of the USA, 13 point something gigawatts total? 13.6 gW?)

What are the heat losses for transformers vs. for resistors?

Can a transformer always replace a resistor, or does it create
insurmountable circuit design problems in frequency generation and control
circuits? Can inductors usually be used as replacements in those cases?

I have a sneaking suspicion that if a law was passed making it illegal to
use a resistor in a circuit as a voltage dropping device, that law would
save at least a continuous half a Gigawatt from being wasted in the USA.

 

[WEBPA]

Guess: The OP would support a law mandating the ratio of a circle's diameter to
its radius to be exactly 3.00000? And the value of Avagadro's number at
6.0000000^23? And...

USW

uh, transformers also produce heat

I am not the expert, so maybe this is a stupid or ignorant idea. On the
other hand, maybe I'm right, so at the risk of flames I will either make
sense or make an ass of myself.

Resistors are used in circuits to step down voltages. The excess voltage is
radiated away as heat.

A question: Can any resistor that exists be replaced by a AC or DC
transformer? (think miniature transformer for small value parts)?

If am I right in presuming that, then the use of resistors must continually
flush probably at least a Gigawatt down a toilet somewhere in the USA alone
every day, just as waste heat. (What's the total power generation capacity
of the USA, 13 point something gigawatts total? 13.6 gW?)

What are the heat losses for transformers vs. for resistors?

Can a transformer always replace a resistor, or does it create
insurmountable circuit design problems in frequency generation and control
circuits? Can inductors usually be used as replacements in those cases?

I have a sneaking suspicion that if a law was passed making it illegal to
use a resistor in a circuit as a voltage dropping device, that law would
save at least a continuous half a Gigawatt from being wasted in the USA.

webpa