Tolerance

A tolerance is the allowable deviation or range of variation from a specified nominal value in electronic components or measurements. It indicates how much a component's actual value can differ from its rated value while still functioning within acceptable parameters. Tolerance is typically expressed as a percentage (like ±5% for resistors) or as absolute units (like ±0.1V for voltage references). Understanding tolerance is crucial for circuit design, as it helps engineers account for component variations and ensure reliable operation across manufacturing variations and environmental conditions.