Different Types of Electronic Components Examples, Function, Use

In this article, we are going to learn about different types of electronic components and their function, use, and applications. There are various types of electronic components and they are categorized by their properties, application areas, and function. For example, according to the direction of the current flow electronic components are categorized into two types such as unidirectional components and bidirectional components. Same, electronic components are categorized as - active components, passive components, linear components, nonlinear components, unilateral components, bilateral components, polarized components, nonpolarized components, unipolar components, bipolar components, etc.

Examples of Electronic Component

The most usable electronic component examples are,

Resistor
Capacitor
Inductor
Diode
Transistors
SCR
IGBT
MOSFET
Crystal Oscillator
Different types of ICs

Most usable electronic components function and use

Resistor

A resistor is a very well-known basic electrical or electronic component. Almost all electronic circuits consist of electronic components.

Resistor Function

The main function of a resistor is to oppose or limit the flow of current. A resistor also can convert electrical energy into heat energy.

Resistor Properties

1. The resistor is a passive component as it does not require any external power supply for its operation.

2. Resistor is a bidirectional component as it allows the flow of current in both directions.

3. The resistor also comes under the nonpolarized component as it does not have any fixed polarity.

4. The resistor is a linear component as its voltage-current characteristics are linear.

5. Resistor can be categorized as a bilateral component as its characteristics remain the same when the polarity of the applied power supply is reversed.

Resistor Use

There is a huge application of resistors in electrical and electronic circuits such as LED drivers, chargers, regulator circuits, etc.

Capacitor

A capacitor is also a very well-known basic electronic component. A capacitor has a very important role in electronic circuits.

Capacitor Function

The main function of a capacitor is to store electrical energy in the form of charge. The other function of a capacitor is to block the DC current and allow the AC current.

Capacitor Properties

1. A capacitor does not require any external power supply which is why it is also called a passive component.

2. Generally, a capacitor has low internal resistance it opposes the flow of current by its capacitive reactance property.

3. A normal capacitor shows the same characteristics when the power supply across it is reversed. So, it comes under the examples of bilateral components.

4. There are both polarized and nonpolarized capacitors available. Most of the electrolytic capacitors are polarized in nature whereas most of the ceramic capacitors are nonpolarized in nature.

Capacitor Use

Capacitors are used in electrical circuits for power factor improvement, protection systems, filtration, etc. Capacitors are also used in electronic circuits for energy storage, noise elimination, tuning circuits, timing circuits, etc.

Inductor

An inductor is made of a coil of conductive wire. It is a basic component used in electrical circuits as well as electronic circuits.

Inductor Function

The main function of an inductor is to oppose the changes in the flow of current through it. Also, it converts electrical energy into magnetic energy.

Inductor Properties

1. The inductor is also a passive component as it does not require any external power supply for its operation.

2. The inductor blocks the alternating current by its inductive reactance property and allows the direct current to flow through it.

3. An inductor allows the flow of current in both directions which is why it can be called a bidirectional component.

4. The voltage-current characteristics of an inductor are linear so it can be called a linear component.

Inductor Use

Inductors are used in electrical and electronic circuits for current limiting, noise elimination, filtration, tuning, etc.

Diode

A diode is an electronic component made of semiconductor materials. The diode also has a very important role in electronic circuits and is used in many places.

Diode Function

The main function of a diode is to allow the flow of current through it in one direction only.

Diode Properties

1. The diode acts as an inductor for forward current flow and acts as an insulator for reverse current flow.

2. The voltage-current characteristics of a diode are not linear which is why it is called a nonlinear component.

3. As the diode allows the flow of current in one direction only, it is called a unidirectional component.

4. An external supply or biasing is required for the operation of a diode, so it is called an active component.

5. A diode has a fixed polarity, and its polarity is a very important factor when connecting in a circuit. So the diode comes under the polarized component.

Diode Use

The main application of a diode is for rectification. So diodes are mostly used in rectifier circuits. A diode is also used for Voltage step-down or power control circuits. For example, a Diode is used in Soldering iron to decrease power flow.

Transistor

A transistor is also a semiconductor device or component. It has a minimum of three terminals. There are both voltage-operated and current-operated transistors are available. A transistor is the basic component of all digital electronic circuits.

Transistor Function

The main function of a transistor is to amplify and switch the electrical or electronic signals. In digital circuits, it acts as a switch, and in analog circuits, it acts as an amplifier or switch.

Transistor Properties

1. A transistor needs an external voltage or biasing for its operation, that is why it is called an active component.

2. The voltage-current characteristics of a transistor are not linear, so it is called a nonlinear device.

3. A transistor is the combination of two PN Junction diodes, so it also allows the flow of current in one direction only. So it can be called a unidirectional device.

Transistor Use

In analog electronic circuits, transistors are used for amplification purposes such as amplifier circuits. In digital electronic circuits, transistors are used for switching purposes such as logic gate circuits.

SCR

SCR full form Silicon Controlled Rectifier. SCR is a power semiconductor device and it is designed for high voltage and high current operations.

SCR Function

The main function of an SCR is to conduct the current through it only when a pulse or voltage is applied to its gate terminal.

SCR Properties

1. SCR is also an Active component or active device as it requires an external voltage for its operation.

2. The voltage-current characteristics of an SCR are not linear so it can be called a non-linear device.

3. The characteristics of an SCR got changed when the power supply across it reversed.

SCR Use

SCRs are used in electronic chopper circuits, controlled rectifier circuits, inverter circuits, motor controller circuits, etc.

Crystal Oscillator

A Crystal Oscillator is an electronic component that generates oscillating signals. Some special electronic circuits require a crystal oscillator for their operation.

Crystal Oscillator Function

The main function of a crystal oscillator is to generate oscillating signals. The crystal vibrates at a specific frequency when an electric current passes through it.

Crystal Oscillator Properties

1. When a voltage is applied across a crystal oscillator, it starts to vibrate and generate the oscillating signal.

2. A crystal oscillator is an active device.

Crystal Oscillator Use

Crystal oscillators are used to provide clock pulse signals to the processing devices such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, etc.

Integrated Circuit or IC

An integrated circuit or IC is a chip made of semiconductor material that consists of multiple electronic components internally connected. Integrated circuits have so many functions as they consist of different types of electronic components. An integrated circuit is built with thousands of electrical and electronic circuits.

Integrated Circuit Use

Integrated circuits or ICs are used in complex electronic circuits, programming devices, etc.

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