The resistance of an electronic cigarette - what you need to know

La résistance est la pièce phare du clearomiseur, voire la plus importante. Véritable pilier quant à son bon fonctionnement, ce composé désigne une pièce métallique prévue pour se visser à l’intérieur du clearomiseur ou de l’atomiseur. C’est la résistance qui est responsable de la vaporisation du e-liquide présent dans le réservoir.

There are several types of resistors available on the market:

• Single coil resistor: as its name suggests, this is a single resistor that will be integrated into the clearomizer or atomizer of the electronic cigarette. This resistor offers a consumption of e-liquid suitable while providing a very good rendering of flavors.
• Dual coil resistor: these are two resistors mounted on a plate in parallel, horizontally or vertically. This assembly will bring a more consequent heating and an effective rendering of flavours.
• Resistor in Sub-Ohm: concerns resistors with an impedance of less than 1 ohm. The role of this resistor is to deliver a more sustained heating and by correlation an intense steam production. This type of resistor is intended to be used with specific Mods, rather recommended to confirmed steamers.

Aujourd’hui, la grande majorité des résistances sont de type BCC (Bottom Coil Changeable), c’est-à-dire interchangeables. Adaptées aux clearomiseurs du même type, elles pourront être facilement remplacées sans jeter à chaque fois l’intégralité du clearomiseur.

A l’unité ou en pack, une résistance nécessite un remplacement régulier. En effet, la vaporisation du e-liquide entraîne l’encrassement de la résistance.
L’emplacement de la résistance aura également un impact quant aux sensations de vape et du rendu de saveurs délivré. Deux placements sont proposés :

• On the top: by choosing this type of location, the steam will be hotter. Horizontal mounting is also recommended to facilitate contact of the wicks with the liquid. In addition, resistors with too low impedances are not recommended to avoid overheating the material.
• On the bottom : ideal to benefit from a permanent supply between the wicks and the e-liquid. The drip tip will improve the feeding by performing regular aspirations before the beginning of the vaporization.

But then, how does a resistor work?

La vapeur propulsée par la e-cigarette est ainsi issue d’un simple processus de chauffe. Ce procédé est réalisé à partir de l’action sur le switch de la batterie ou du mod. S’en suit la chauffe du fil résistif de la résistance qui, en contact avec la mèche imbibée de liquide, va par capillarité créer de la vapeur. Cette dernière va ensuite cheminer dans le corps du clearomiseur jusqu’au drip tip. Ce petit embout va ainsi délivrer cette vapeur destinée à l’inhalation.

To make the most of its experience of vape, it is essential to choose the right resistance that will be installed in the clearomizer or atomizer. The resistance value chosen will have a direct impact on the volume of steam delivered, the temperature or the restitution of flavors.

Before going into details, remember that the higher the ohm value of the resistor, the lower the power, and vice versa.

But then what resistance value to choose?

Determined in ohm, the value of a resistor can start at 0.15 ohm and reach up to 2.5 ohms. Most resistors on the market, about 90% of the products on sale, have an impedance between 1.2 ohm and 2.5 ohms.
The choice of the value will depend on your material and your usual style of vape. Indeed, a variable voltage valve will not require the same resistances as a more classic valve, just as a mechanical mod will have different needs than an electronic mod.

• Classic vape: this is a voltage-free vape with variable wattage. This operating mode requires resistors with an impedance higher than 1.5 ohm. The volume of steam will be neither too dense nor too airy and completely excludes resistors that are too low.
• Vape in voltage and variable wattage: this type of vape requires a resistance value higher than 1.0 ohm, which will have to be changed regularly because of its short life. The propelled steam will be optimal and in relation with the battery autonomy. Batteries with this mode of operation are equipped with a protection that prevents the integration of lower resistors.
• Vape with a mod or an electronic box: this type of material allows to accommodate rather low resistors whose value can start at 0.5 ohm. However, we advise to use an impedance lower than 1.5 ohm. Like the previous batteries, a protection is included to avoid integrating resistors with a certain value.
• Vape with a mod or a mechanical box: this material has no protection in order to offer compatibility with all the resistances on the market. To enjoy pleasant sensations, resistance values between 0.5 and 0.8 ohm will be optimal. Just as it is not recommended to integrate resistors with more than 1.5 ohm of impedance.

It is also possible to choose its resistance according to the desired steam temperature. It is the value of the resistance that will bring a hot, warm or rather cold steam.

• For a hot steam : give preference to resistors with a value between 1.2 and 1.8 ohms.
• For warm steam: impedance resistors between 1.8 and 2.5 ohms will be ideal for this type of temperature.
• For a cold steam: we advise you to integrate in your clearomizer or atomizer, resistors included in 2.2 and 2.5 ohms.

After a certain time of use, a resistor must be replaced so as not to interfere with your spraying. Its clogging occurs eventually and can be noticed if the delivered steam is less hot and dense. You will feel it easily, since the liquid in front of it will be more and more compact, and will be difficult to pull and inhale. Note also that the resistance will wear more with an e-liquid with a high dosage of vegetable glycerin (VG).

The frequency of change of resistance is necessarily related to the consumption of electronic cigarette. For example, a regular vaporizer will have to replace once a week its resistance, while a less frequent consumer will change it only once a month.

The resistance may stop working for various reasons:

• Breakage: the resistive wire included in the resistor maybreak as a result of a fall or shock of the clearomizer.
• Leakage: it is important to always check your clearomizer for leaks. Otherwise, the liquid may come into contact with the battery circuit breaker, which will prevent any operation.
• Incorrectscrewing: a wrong installation of the resistor will prevent any contact with the battery, and will not allow any reception of electricity.
• Design defect: this is not your fault, but the manufacturer's. If you notice that the resistance received is in poor condition, do not hesitate to alert the customer service department in charge.

Your resistor is worn out, it's time to replace it: how to proceed?

If this may seem complicated, don't worry, it's not! For a resistor located on the bottom of the clearomizer, several steps are to be respected:

1. First of all, place your clearomizer upside down.
2. Remove his base.
3. Carefully remove the old resistor. Do not hesitate to use paper towels to avoid getting your hands dirty.
4. Install your new resistor.
5. Prime this resistance. This process consists in soaking the resistor in e-liquid before the first use.
6. Screw the base of the clearomizer back on.
7. Position your clearomizer vertically and wait a few minutes before starting to vaporize. For the most impatient, it is possible to shorten this time by performing several successive aspirations.

Concerning a resistor located on the top of the clearomizer, it will have to be replaced more frequently. The replacement procedure is more or less the same but there are a few variations:

1. Remove the drip tip from the clearomizer by unscrewing it.
2. Remove the used resistor.
3. Attach your new resistance.
4. Fill your tank with e-liquid.
5. Replace the drip tip by screwing it back on.
6. Wait at least 30 minutes and leave the clearomizer horizontal before you start spraying. This delay will allow the wicks of the resistance to soak well in liquid to avoid any risk of dry hit.

To preserve your resistance, it is always advisable to space your aspirations by 10 seconds. This is the time it takes for the resistance to cool down and thus prevent it from overheating. Overheating is often the first cause of premature wear and breakage.

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