What are Electronic Components?

 An electronic component, often referred to as an "EC," is a fundamental discrete device or physical entity used in electronic systems to manipulate electrons or their associated fields. These components are industrial products that come in various forms. It's important not to confuse electronic components with electrical components, which are abstract concepts representing idealized electronic components and their behavior.

Electronic components typically have multiple electrical terminals or leads. These leads are often connected by wires to other electrical components to create electronic circuits with specific functions, such as amplifiers, radio receivers, or oscillators. Electronic components can be found in discrete packages, arranged in arrays or networks of similar components, or integrated inside a package, such as a semiconductor integrated circuit, hybrid integrated circuit, or thick film device. The following list focuses on the discrete versions of these components, treating packaged versions as separate entities.

Classification of electronic components

Components in electronics can be classified into three main categories: passive, active, and electromechanical. The distinction between these categories varies based on different perspectives.

From a strict physics definition, passive components are those that do not generate energy themselves. In this view, a battery would be considered an active component since it acts as an energy source. However, electronic engineers often use a more restrictive definition when performing circuit analysis.

In circuit analysis, when focusing on the energy of signals, engineers conveniently ignore the DC circuit and assume that power-supplying components, such as transistors or integrated circuits, are absent (as if each component has its own built-in battery), even though they may be supplied by the DC circuit in reality. This simplification allows for analysis of the AC circuit, abstracting away DC voltages, currents, and the associated power in the real-life circuit.

According to this perspective, active components rely on a source of energy (usually from the DC circuit) and can inject power into a circuit. Examples of active components include transistors, vacuum tubes, and tunnel diodes, which are used for amplification and signal processing.

Passive components, on the other hand, cannot introduce net energy into the circuit and do not rely on an external power source. Instead, they utilize the energy available from the AC circuit they are connected to. While passive components cannot amplify signals, they can modify voltage or current levels, as seen in components like resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transformers.

In addition to passive and active components, there are also electromechanical components. These components perform electrical operations through the use of moving parts or electrical connections.

Most passive components with more than two terminals can be described in terms of two-port parameters that adhere to the principle of reciprocity. However, active components with more than two terminals generally do not exhibit this property, although there may be rare exceptions.

What are Active Electronic Components?

Active electronic components are electronic devices that have the ability to actively amplify, switch, or control current and voltage. These components are constructed using semiconductor materials and require a power source or external signal to perform their intended function. Common examples of active components include transistors (such as bipolar transistors and field-effect transistors) and integrated circuits (such as operational amplifiers, digital logic gates, and microprocessors).

Active electronic components manipulate electrical signals by controlling current or voltage, allowing them to amplify, switch, or perform other useful operations. They possess a gain, which is an amplification factor that converts a smaller input signal into a larger output signal. This characteristic is instrumental in enabling active components to fulfill crucial roles in electronic circuits, facilitating functions such as signal processing, data storage, and control.

One prominent application of active components is in amplifier circuits. By utilizing an active amplifier, a weak input signal can be boosted to a level sufficient for driving other circuits or devices. Additionally, active components are extensively used in the construction of diverse electronic devices, including digital and analog circuits, communication systems, power amplifiers, and radio frequency transmitters.

Active electronic components should be contrasted with passive electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors. While passive components cannot actively amplify current or voltage and are limited to energy consumption or storage, active components provide the essential foundation for achieving various functionalities in modern electronic devices and systems.

What are Passive Electronic Components?

Passive electronic components are electronic devices that do not actively amplify, switch, or control current and voltage in a circuit. They operate based on the inherent properties of materials or the principles of electromagnetic induction and do not require an external power source to function. Common passive components include resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transformers.

• Resistor: Resistors are among the most commonly used passive components. They are employed to limit the flow of current in specific parts of a circuit by impeding the current. Resistors serve to control current magnitude, regulate circuit voltage, and distribute power.
• Capacitor: A capacitor consists of an insulating medium sandwiched between two conductive plates and is capable of storing electrical charge. Its primary function is to store and release electrical energy. Capacitors provide temporary energy storage and release in circuits and also play important roles in signal filtering, coupling, and timing.
• Inductor: An inductor is an element comprising one or more coils that generate a magnetic field when an electric current passes through them, thereby storing electrical energy. Its primary function is to resist changes in current and restrict the flow of current. Inductors are involved in functions such as filtering, coupling, energy storage, and voltage transformation within a circuit.
• Transformer: A transformer consists of two or more coils (known as primary and secondary) that share a magnetic field. It is primarily used to alter the voltage and current of alternating current. By employing the principle of electromagnetic induction, a transformer transfers electrical energy from one coil to another, enabling voltage increase or decrease.

Passive electronic components play a vital role in circuit design and electronic systems. They are combined with active components like transistors and integrated circuits to create a wide range of complex circuit functionalities. Due to their stability and reliability, passive components are frequently used in applications such as power management, signal conditioning, filters, oscillators, and more. Understanding the properties and applications of passive components is crucial for electronics engineers and circuit designers to make informed choices and effectively employ these components to achieve desired circuit functions and performance.

What are Electromechanical Components?

Electromechanical components are devices or components used to convert mechanical motion into electrical signals or vice versa. They serve as intermediaries between mechanical and electrical systems, facilitating their interaction. Electromechanical components find widespread applications in automation control systems, robotics, sensors, actuators, and various electrical equipment.

• Sensors: Sensors are electromechanical components that transform physical quantities into electrical signals. They can detect and measure variables such as mechanical motion, temperature, pressure, and light, and convert them into electrical output signals. Examples of sensors include photoelectric sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and acceleration sensors.
• Actuators: Actuators are electromechanical components that convert electrical signals into mechanical motion. They utilize electromagnetic force, hydraulic pressure, or pneumatic pressure to translate electrical signals into linear or rotary mechanical motion. Electric motors, cylinders, and hydraulic motors are common types of actuators.
• Electromechanical Devices: Electromechanical devices integrate both mechanical and electrical components. They convert electrical energy into mechanical motion to perform specific functions. Electric valves, electric door locks, and electric linear drives are examples of electromechanical devices.
• Motion Controllers: Motion controllers are electromechanical components used to control the movement of machines. They receive and process electrical signals, enabling precise control over the motion of actuators for tasks such as position control, velocity control, and force control. Motion controllers are widely employed in applications like robotic systems, CNC machine tools, and automated production lines.
• Electromechanical Connectors: Electromechanical connectors are components used to establish connections between mechanical and electrical components. They ensure the reliable transmission of power, signals, and data, facilitating seamless communication between mechanical and electrical systems. Plugs, sockets, terminals, and similar devices are examples of electromechanical connectors.

Electromechanical components play a pivotal role in modern industries and technologies. They enable the collaboration between mechanical and electrical systems, leading to automation, intelligence, and precise control. Understanding the origins and applications of electromechanical components allows engineers to harness their capabilities effectively.