Electronic component: discover the different types and how they work

The electronic component is now an integral part of everyday life. From aviation to medical industries, it has a wide range of applications in the modern world.

Most gadgets have tiny electronic circuits that can control machines and process information. In other words, the latter are the basic elements of various electrical appliances. This guide introduces the most commonly used electronic components and how they work.

Electronic component: definition

An electronic component represents any elementary and discrete device of a computer system intended to act on electrons or on their magnetic fluxes. It constitutes the elements of the circuit which guarantee its proper functioning.

Most electronic components have a number of electrical terminals. These terminals connect to other devices to establish an electrical connection.

Electronic component: classification

Components fall into three categories: passive, active or electromechanical.

Active components

They are devices capable of amplifying an electrical signal and producing energy. An active component works as an AC circuit in devices by helping them increase power and voltage. It can perform its operations because it is powered by a source of electricity.

All active components require a source of power which usually comes from a direct current circuit. A typical active component will include an oscillator, transistor, or integrated circuit.

Passive components

These devices cannot introduce energy into the circuit. Likewise,they do not depend on any source of energy, except that provided by the circuit (AC) to which they are connected. Therefore, they cannot amplify the power of a signal, although they can increase a voltage or a current like a transformer does.

Passive components include two-terminal elements such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transformers.

The electromechanical component

These components use an electrical signal to generate a mechanical change such as the rotation of a motor. Normally, they use an electric current to create a magnetic field that causes physical movement.

All types of relays and switches fall into this category. As for electromechanical devices,they involve both electrical and mechanical processes. A manually operated switch is an electromechanical component, since mechanical movement causes an electrical output.

Electronic component: the most used models and how they work

This part provides more information on the 7 different models of the most common electronic component. The operation of each of them will be discussed.

Capacitor

The capacitor is used to establish various types of electronic circuits. This designates a passive electronic component with two terminals, capable of storing energy in an electric field in an electrostatic way.

In simple terms, it works like a small rechargeable battery that stores electricity. However, unlike a battery, it can charge and discharge in a fraction of a second.

How does it work?

By applying a voltage to the two plates or by connecting them to a source, an electric field is created through the insulation. In effect, this results in the accumulation of a positive charge on one plate and a negative charge on the other.

The capacitor continues to retain its charge capacity even when disconnected from the source. By connecting it to a load, the stored energy flows from the capacitor to the load.

Capacitance is the amount of energy stored in a capacitor. The higher it is, the more energy the capacitor can store. To increase the capacitance, simply move the plates closer together or increase their size.

Resistance

A resistor is in the form of a passive electrical device with two terminals resistant to the passage of currentt. Among the components of an electronic circuit, this part is probably the most basic.

On the other hand,it is one of the most common building blocks, since most electronic circuits are equipped with resistors. It is usually color coded.

How does it work?

A resistor may seem trivial. You would think that it does nothing but consume energy. However, it plays a vital role in controlling the voltage and current in the circuit.

In fact, when electric current begins to flow through a wire, all the electrons move in the same direction. It is like water flowing through a pipe. Its quantity decreases when there is less room for its movement.

Similarly, if current flows through a thin conductor in a resistor, it becomes increasingly difficult for electrons to flow through it. In short, the number of electrons flowing through a resistor decreases as the length and fineness of the wire increases.

Diode

A diode is a two-terminal device that allows electric current to flow in only one direction. It is therefore the electronic equivalent of control valves. It is typically used to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

The latter consists of a semiconductor material (semiconductor diode) or a vacuum tube (vacuum tube diode). For the most part, diodes are made from a semiconductor material, such as silicon.

How does it work?

Vacuum diode

When the cathode has been heated by a filament, an invisible cloud of electrons, called space charge, is formed in a vacuum. Although electrons are emitted from the cathode, the negative space charge repels them.

As they cannot reach the anode, no current flows in the circuit. However, the space charge disappears when the anode becomes positive. As a result, current starts flowing from the cathode to the anode.

P-N Junction Diode

A p-n junction diode consists of p-type and n-type silicon semiconductors. The p-type semiconductor is usually doped with boron, which leaves holes (positive charge) in it.

The n-type, on the other hand, contains antimony, which adds a few extra electrons (negative charge). The electric current can therefore flow in the two semiconductors.

In contrast, by putting together p-type and n-type blocks, the extra n-type electrons combine with the p-type holes. Thus, they create a depletion zone without any free electrons or holes. In short, current can no longer flow through the diode.

Transistor

Transistors, one of the most important components of an electronic circuit, have revolutionized the field of electronics. These tiny three terminal devices have been around for over five decades now. They often serve as amplifiers and switching devices. Indeed,they have the ability to turn a device on or off without moving.

How does it work?

The NPN transistor has a p-type silicon wafer placed between two n-type layers. The transmitter is on one of the n-type pads and the receiver on the other. The excess part of the p-type silicon acts as a barrier, blocking the passage of current.

By applying a positive voltage to the base and negatively charging the emitter, electrons begin to flow to the collector. The arrangement and the number of blocks p and n remain reversed in a PNP transistor.

Inductor

An inductor, also known as an inductor, ispresented as a passive component of a two-terminal circuit. It stores energy in its magnetic field and returns it to the circuit when needed.

It has been discovered thatwhen two inductors are placed side by side without touching, the magnetic field created by the first inductor affects the second. This crucial discovery led to the invention of the first transformers.

How does it work?

Whenever current flows through a wire, it creates a magnetic field. However, the unique shape of the inductor creates a much stronger magnetic field. This strong magnetic field resists alternating current, but allows direct current to pass.

Relay

A relay refers to an electromagnetic switch that can open and close electrical circuits. To operate, it needs a relatively low current. Usually, it is used to regulate low currents in a control circuit.

However, sometimes relays are used to control high electrical currents. In this case, it is the electrical equivalent of a lever. It can be controlled by a small voltage to activate another circuit using a powerful current. Relays can be electromechanical systems or solid-state systems.

How does it work?

Whether it is an electromechanical relay or a solid-state relay, it functions as a device normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO). In the case of an NC relay, the contacts remain closed when there is no power supply. On the other hand, for an NO module, the contacts remain open when there is no power supply. In short, when current flows through a relay, contacts open or close.

In an EMR relay, the power supply energizes the relay coil, creating a magnetic field. The magnetic coil attracts a metal plate installed on the core. When the current stops, the plate returns to its rest position under the action of a spring. An EMR can also have one or more contacts in a single housing. If a circuit uses only one contact, it is a single-break (SB) circuit.

Quartz

Quartz offers various solutions in the electronics industry. However, they mainly serve as resonators in electronic circuits. Quartz exists naturally in the form of silicon. Moreover, it is now a synthetic product to meet the growing demand. It has the piezoelectric effect.

How does it work?

By applying an alternating voltage to a crystal, it causes mechanical vibrations. Shape and size of the quartz crystal determine the resonant frequency of these vibrations or oscillations. Thus, it generates a constant signal. Crystal oscillators are cheap and easily made synthetically.

They exist in a range from a few KHz to a few MHz. Thanks to their higher quality factor or Q factor, crystal oscillators are remarkably stable over time and temperature.