Basic Electronic Components – Types, Functions, Symbols
List of Types of Basic Electronic Components, Functions, Symbols.
Basic Electronic Components are electronic devices or parts usually packaged in a discrete form with two or more connecting leads or metallic pads. These devices are intended to be connected together, usually by soldering to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), to create an electronic circuit with a particular function (for example an amplifier, radio receiver, oscillator, wireless).
Some of the Basic Electronic Components are: resistor, capacitor, transistor, diode, operational amplifier, resistor array, logic gate etc.
Types of Electronic Components
These are of 2 types: Passive and Active Components. Both these types of components can be either Through-Hole or SMD.
1. Passive Components
These components are those that do not have gain or directionality. They are also called Electrical elements or electrical components.
Example: Resistors, Capacitors, Diodes, Inductors.
2. Active Components
These components are those that have gain or directionality.
Example: Transistors, Integrated Circuits or ICs, Logic Gates.
Basic Passive Electronic Components
1. Resistor
Different Types of Resistor
A Resistor is an electrical device that resists the flow of electrical current. It is a passive device used to control, or impede the flow of, electric current in an electric circuit by providing resistance, thereby developing a drop in voltage across the device.
There are two basic types of resistors:
- Linear Resistors: Resistors whose value changes with the applied voltage and temperature. Linear resistors are further classified as Fixed and Variable resistors.
- Non Linear Resistors: When resistance do not behave linearly with parameters such as voltage, current or temperature (Ohm’s Law).
- Read in Detail: What is a Resistor: Types of Resistors, Function, Color Code
2. Capacitor
Capacitor
A capacitor is a device used to store and release electricity, usually as the result of a chemical action. Also referred to as a storage cell, a secondary cell, a condenser or an accumulator. A Leyden Jar was an early example of a capacitor.
Capacitors are further divided into two mechanical groups: Capacitors with Fixed-capacitance and variable capacitors.
- Read in Detail: What is Capacitor – Types, Formula, Symbol
3. Diode
Diode
A Diode is an electronic component that allows electric current to flow in one direction only. It is a semiconductor device that consists of a p-n junction. It can be either forward biased or reverse biased.
They are most commonly used to convert AC to DC, because they pass the positive (+) part of the wave, and block the negative (–) part of the AC signal, or, if they are reversed, they pass only the negative part and not the positive part.
Types of a diode:
- Light Emitting Diode: Light is generated when electric current flows through it.
- Laser diode: Generates coherent light. It is widely utilized in CD drives, DVD players, laser printers etc.
- Photodiode: Current flow when exposed to light.
- Schottky Diode: Diode with low voltage drop.
- Tunnel Diode: Diode in which electric current decreases with increase in voltage.
- Varactor / Varicap Diode: Diode with Variable capacitance.
- Zener Diode: Current flows in one direction, but also can flow in the reverse direction when above breakdown voltage.
- Read in Detail: Diode Electronic Component
4. Inductor
Different Types of Inductors
An inductor is a passive electrical device (typically a conducting coil) that introduces inductance into a electric circuit. It is basically a coil of wire with many winding, often wound around a core made of a magnetic material, like iron. Simplest form of an inductor is made up of a coil of wire.
The inductance measured in henrys, is proportional to the number of turns of wire, the wire loop diameter and the material or core the wire is wound around.
Inductors are categorized into different types based on their core material and mechanical construction:
- Air Cored Inductor
- Iron Cored Inductor
- Ferrite Cored Inductor
- Iron Power Inductor
- Bobbin Based Inductors
- Toroidal Inductors
- Multilayer Ceramic Inductors
- Film Inductors
- Variable Inductors
- Coupled Inductors
- Molded Inductors
- Read in Detail: Inductor Basics
Basic Active Electronic Components
1. Transistor
A transistor is a semiconductor device that acts as an amplifier, a switch, or a signal modulator. It consists of three layers – the emitter, base, and collector – each doped with different materials to create either a positive (P-type) or negative (N-type) charge. This ingenious design enables transistors to control the flow of current and amplify weak signals with remarkable precision.
There are two primary types of transistors:
- Bipolar junction transistors (BJTs); and
- Field-effect transistors (FETs).
- Read in Detail: Transistor: Building Blocks of Modern Electronics
2. IC or Integrated Circuit
Integrated Circuit )IC)
Integrated Circuit or IC is an SMD Electronic Component made up of combination of several transistors, diode, resistor, capacitors in a tiny semiconductor chip. Integrated Circuit Electronic Components or IC are of small size and very light weight. They produce excellent results at low power.
Types of IC on the basis of technology:
- Linear IC: This type of IC works on analog signal.
- Digital IC: This type of IC works on digital signal.
Types of IC on the basis of external structure:
- Single in-line pin package (SIPP).
- Dual in-line pin package (DIPP).
- Quard pin package (QPP).
- Pin Grid Array Package (PGA).
- Ball Grid Array Package (BGA).
- Leadless Chip Carrier (LCC) Package.
- Read in Detail: Integrated Circuit (IC) – Types, Function & Uses in Electronics
3. Logic Gates
A Simple Digital Electronic Circuit
Logic gates are fundamental building blocks of digital circuits, used in computers and electronic devices to perform logical operations. They manipulate binary values, representing true (1) or false (0) states, through Boolean algebra.
Common types of logic include: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR gates, each executing specific logical functions.
- Read in Detail: Digital Circuit
List of Active and Passive Electronic Components
Here is list of all the most commonly used basic electronic components:
| Active Components | Passive Components |
| Light Emitting Diode (LED) | Resistor |
| Transistor | Capacitor |
| Integrated Circuit (IC) | Inductor |
| Battery | Circuit Breaker |
| Relay (Can also be used as Passive) | Fuse |
| Diode | Switch |
| Solar Cell | Transformer |
| Current Sensor | Electrical Wires & Power Cables |
| SMD Components | Motor |
Function of Basic Electronic Components
- Terminals and Connectors: Components to make electrical connection.
- Resistors: Components used to resist current.
- Switches: Components that may be made to either conduct (closed) or not (open).
- Capacitors: Components that store electrical charge in an electrical field.
- Magnetic or Inductive Components: These are Electrical components that use magnetism.
- Network Components: Components that use more than 1 type of Passive Component.
- Piezoelectric devices, crystals, resonators: Passive components that use piezoelectric. effect.
- Semiconductors: Electronic control parts with no moving parts.
- Diodes: Components that conduct electricity in only one direction.
- Transistors: A semiconductor device capable of amplification.
- Integrated Circuits or ICs: A microelectronic computer circuit incorporated into a chip or semiconductor; a whole system rather than a single component.
Circuit Symbols of Electronic Components
Basic Electronic Parts and their Function
Conclusion:
I hope you found this article useful.Please share with other so that everybody can gain knowledge. Please share your thoughts and ideas via comments below.
FAQs: Electronic Components
What is the function of a resistor in an electronic circuit?
A resistor is used to control the flow of electric current in an electronic circuit by providing resistance. It helps limit the current, divide voltage, and adjust signal levels.
What does a capacitor do in an electronic circuit?
A capacitor stores and releases electrical energy. It is often used to filter signals, smooth voltage fluctuations, and store charge for various applications.
What is the role of a diode in electronics?
A diode allows current to flow in one direction only. It is used for rectification (converting AC to DC), voltage regulation, and signal demodulation in various electronic devices.
How does a transistor function in circuits?
A transistor acts as an amplifier or a switch in electronic circuits. It can amplify weak signals, control larger currents, and perform logical operations, making it a versatile component in modern electronics.
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Pls can some ten example of passive and active components why tranformer is not an active components
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When transformers step up (or step down) voltage, power and energy remain the same on the primary and secondary sides. As energy is not being amplified
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I tried to measure AC current using Auto ranging digital multimeter.put red lead into 10A socket of multimeter and another black prove lead into common black socket.when i enter both red & black prove lead into power supply socket it sparked and mcb switch down and a fuse of multimeter blasted.what wrong went.plz guide me
Amps is measured by connecting the meter in SERIES to load. But you have inserted the leads into the power socket and 240 volts was pushed into the meter, which was in amps mode that has very low resistance. So fire works started.
Wrongs : No load, Parallel supply.
Advise : Better use clamp meter for measuring AC amps. In multimeter you have to cut the load circuit and hook the probes to the cut ends.
If your multimeter does not have the SINE wave symbol in amps mode then you cannot use it for measuring AC amps.
How to reason of separate the active and passive components?
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