Gloria,

The identification is in the manufacturers data sheets.  Active parts
are definitely something to be obtained from the datasheet.  Passives
follow a fairly agreed upon standard.  Resistors are either given in 3
letters or 4.  Three digit numbers mean the first two numbers are the
value and the third number is the multiplier (i.e. 103 is 10 with 3 0's
= 10,000 Ohms).  Four digit numbers mean the first three numbers are the
value and the fourth number is the multiplier (i.e. 1002 is 100 with 2
0's = 10,000 Ohms).   R is generally used to designate a decimal place
(i.e. 1R40 is 1.4 Ohms).  Vitramon has a great table  in it's Monolithic
Ceramic Chip Capacitors book that tell's the capacitance of ceramic caps
based on the marking.  For example a capacitor marked A3 is 1000
picofarads, B3 is 1100 picofarads etc.  The Letter is the capacitance
standard value and the number is the multiplier.

Hope this helps..
 ----------
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: component identification
Date: Thursday, February 27, 1997 2:33PM


     Hi Technet,

     I am looking for reference material for reading the values of
Surface
     mount components.  Could someone please tell me where I can obtain
     some information on this.

     Thanks in Advance
     Gloria Brown

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