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Pull-Up/Pull-Down Resistor

maker

A resistor used to ensure a known voltage level at a high-impedance input pin.

expanded

Pull-up and pull-down resistors are used to force an input pin to a known state when no active driver is present. A pull-up resistor connects the pin to a high logic level (e.g., 5 V or 3.3 V), while a pull-down resistor connects it to low level (e.g., ground). They are essential in preventing floating voltages which can lead to undefined behavior in digital circuits.

examples

In a microcontroller GPIO setup, a 10 kΩ pull-up resistor is connected to a GPIO pin to keep it high unless an external switch is pressed.

Used to prevent floating input values in embedded systems, ensuring reliable high logic level detection.

Using a 4.7 kΩ pull-down resistor on an unused digital input pin of a microcontroller to maintain a logical low state in the absence of an input signal.

Commonly used in industrial control circuits to avert misuse of open input pins.