Hello everybody! My name is Myria and I really don't belong into this group at all, but I do have a question and searching the web doesn't really get me anywhere, because I guess I lack some basic understanding of electronics. I was hoping you could help me. Simple question: What are resistors actually made of? I mean the inside material. I know it must be some kind of substance that leads electricity more slowly (hope I phrase that right), but I am interested in the actual inside materials. Reason: My husbands grandfather was a radio/TV repair guy from the 50s to the late 80s and we inherited a huge collection of, well, different kinds of resistors (and a couple of capacitators). We couldn't sell them and I was wondering if I could use them in my craft projects. As I am working with children, I need to know if there is anything inside those resistors that is inherently dangerous/poisonous like mercury or maybe lead. And could it be dangerous by contact alone, or if they swallowed a resistor? (They are not that age group, but the weirdest things do happen. In todays suing happy society, you cannot be careful enough!) Any info is appreciated. Thanks. Myria
- posted
18 years ago