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| Types of electronic components and their functions |
Types of electronic components and their functions
The components and electronic devices are numerous and varied, making them almost impossible to enumerate. However, they all share a common characteristic: an internal response to the movement of electrons in one way or another.
Therefore, we can define electronic components as: "Physical configurations made of metals, semiconductors, or chemical compounds, whether combined or separate, that respond to electron movement by modifying their path, oscillation, or frequency, forming circuits among themselves, and performing various electronic functions."
Functions of Electronic Components :
Electronic components serve numerous functional roles, where each component not only has a unique primary function but also countless additional roles depending on the other components within the electronic circuit it operates in.
Each group of electronic circuits collectively forms a device that performs a specific task. Based on this, we can explore the functions of some of the most common and widely used electronic components in detail as follows:
Resistor :
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| Resistor |
The resistor is one of the most common and essential components in electronic devices. It is used to control the voltage difference between two or more electronic components and can also function as a voltage or current divider. The unit of measurement for resistance is the Ohm (Ω), and it is represented by the symbol R on circuit boards or electronic circuit diagrams.
There are several types of resistors, including fixed resistors, variable resistors, audio resistors, and thermal resistors. Each of these categories contains numerous subtypes. For example:
Fixed Resistors include types such as Zero Ohm (Jumper), Low Ohm, Surface Mount, and Network resistors, among others.
For a more detailed explanation of resistors, you can refer to this comprehensive guide.
The Electrical Capacitor :
The most common type of capacitors is the electrolytic capacitors (electrochemical), represented by the symbol C, and its unit of measurement is the farad.
Capacitors are installed in electronic circuits to regulate voltage, such as in volume control knobs in radios. They are also used in applications like electric doors, elevators, or silicon switches.
Next, we move on to components made from semiconductors:
Semiconductors are materials that combine the properties of electrical conductors, which allow the flow of electric current, and non-conductors, which do not allow the flow of current. Thus, they permit the flow of electric current under specific conditions or circumstances. Among these components are:
The Diode (Two-Terminal Junction):
The diode is made of silicon crystals with added impurities. These impurities create two types of crystals:
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| Diodes |
- Negative crystals, represented by the symbol N.
- Positive crystals, represented by the symbol P.
A diode consists of one negative crystal and one positive crystal. It allows electric current to flow in only one direction.
For a more detailed explanation of the diode and its applications in electronic circuits, refer to this topic [here].
The Transistor:
The transistor is a type of semiconductor made from positive and negative silicon crystals. There are two main types of transistors:
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| Transistor |
- PNP Transistor: Made from two positive crystals and one negative crystal.
- NPN Transistor: Made from two negative crystals and one positive crystal.
The transistor represents a groundbreaking innovation in electronics, forming the foundation of many computer components and artificial intelligence systems. It is an essential component in all kinds of electronic industries.
The Thyristor:
The thyristor is an advanced generation of the transistor, originating from semiconductors. It is defined as:"An electronic component made up of four layers of semiconductor material (silicon), arranged in the order P1, N1, P2, N2. These layers allow selective current flow in a specific direction and pulse. It has three terminals: the anode (A), the gate (G), and the cathode (K)."
In simpler terms, the thyristor is essentially two transistors (NPN and PNP) connected in parallel and opposite configurations. One variant of the thyristor is known as LASCR (Light-Activated Silicon Controlled Rectifier), and its unit of measurement is the ohm.
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| Thyristor |
Function:
The thyristor controls high-voltage power circuits. It acts as a switch to cut off alternating current with high speed and great durability, capable of handling currents up to 2000 amperes, despite its small size. Its operation is similar to that of a diode.
Applications:
- Controlling motor speeds.
- Inverters.
- Adjusting light intensity.
- Battery chargers.
- For more detailed information about the thyristor, refer to this topic [here].
The Transformer:
Almost no electronic device, regardless of its type or use, is free from a transformer. A transformer is defined as:
“An electromagnetic component consisting of two isolated and independent copper coils wound around a core made of stacked iron sheets, insulated from each other with a dielectric material. The first coil is called the primary coil, and the second is called the secondary coil. These coils differ in length and diameter, where the primary coil's terminals allow current to enter, and the secondary coil's terminals allow current to exit.”
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| Transformer |
It operates based on electromagnetic induction, where the primary coil induces a magnetic field that affects the secondary coil. The unit of measurement for transformers is kilovolt-amperes (KVA).
Function:
Electrical components require a specific current intensity or type (AC or DC). The transformer's role lies in increasing or decreasing AC voltage in an electronic circuit without altering its frequency. This function depends on the ratio of the number of turns in the primary coil to those in the secondary coil, as well as the diameter of each coil, according to Faraday’s Law.
Sensors:
Sensors are modern electronic mechanisms designed to detect the surrounding physical environment. They are defined as:
"Devices that convert physical quantities such as pressure, temperature, magnetic fields, radiation, sound, touch, invisible rays, light, smoke, and other physical quantities into electrical voltage differences."
The unit of measurement for sensors varies depending on the physical quantity being measured and the type of sensor.
Function:
Sensors act as ON/OFF switches based on changes in electrical voltage within the sensor's circuit. They are used in devices like automatic fire extinguishers, surveillance cameras, and alarm systems. For example:
When light falls on a light sensor or smoke reaches a smoke sensor, its resistance to electric current decreases.
This closes the electrical circuit, activating the alarm or other connected devices.
Integrated Circuits (ICs):
Silicon circuits, commonly referred to as semiconductors, represent a revolutionary leap in the world of electronic chips. They are defined as:
"A collection of miniature transistors, numbering in the tens of thousands on a single chip, each with a specific function and task. These circuits are made of silicon and measure only a few millimeters, forming an integrated circuit."
There are various types of integrated circuits, such as MSI, SSI, and VLSI.
As mentioned earlier, integrated circuits consist of multiple miniature transistors or diverse electronic circuits embedded in a single chip. This enables them to perform thousands of different functions, such as:
- Acting as a single electronic voltage gate.
- Amplifying sound signals and electronic signals.
- They are essential in devices like computers, televisions, radios, mobile phones, and other electronic devices that incorporate artificial intelligence.
LED (Light Emitting Diode):
An LED is an electronic component that emits light when a voltage difference is applied across its terminals. It is used in electronic circuits to indicate specific conditions, such as whether a circuit is functioning properly or if it is not currently operating, as seen in battery charging circuits.
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| LEDs |
The working principle of LEDs has become widely adopted across various applications. Their use is not limited to indicating circuit status; they are also used in lighting applications, such as in flashlights, and in the production of television and computer screens.
Motor:
A motor is defined as:
"A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy."
Its working principle is based on the law of magnetic torque. It consists of a metal core wound with an insulated wire coil, surrounded by a natural or electric magnetic field. When electrical current is applied, a torque is generated due to the magnetic flux between the induction and rectification coils, resulting in motion.
Function:
The primary function of motors is to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. They are used to power many mechanical devices.
Microphone:
A microphone is the opposite of a speaker. It is defined as:
"A device that converts sound into electrical vibrations that correspond to the intensity of the sound, whether high or low."
There are different types of microphones, including carbon, dynamic, capacitive, crystal, ribbon, and others.
Function:
Regardless of the type of microphone, its function is to convert sound waves (vibrations) into electronic vibrations that replicate and mimic the sound vibrations emitted from the source. It is commonly used in phones, audio recording devices, and other applications.
Relay:
A relay is an automatic or electromechanical switch, sometimes referred to as an automatic switch. It comes in various sizes and capacities, and operates using electromagnetic force. Simply put, it is:
"A lever fixed at one end on an axis, stretched by a spring or flexible metal piece, with the other end free to move in front of an electric magnet. This lever acts as a contact and connection point in an electrical circuit."
It functions as a switch to turn devices on or off, but instead of the mechanical pressure applied by a person on a regular switch, the relay requires an electrical current to perform this task. There are various types of relays, including single-pole and multi-pole relays, and it is measured in amperes.
Function:
As mentioned, relays are used to turn devices on or off. Unlike regular switches, which require mechanical pressure from a person, relays need an electric current to operate. They are often used in overload circuits to protect devices and electrical circuits from the dangers of electrical overload. For instance, they are used to protect motors, household electrical circuits, and various electronic devices.
Microcontroller :
When a housewife sets her fully automatic washing machine to a specific wash cycle, or any other automatic device, she is essentially setting the microcontroller within the washing machine or other devices. A microcontroller is defined as:
a small, integrated computer system designed to perform specific tasks or control functions within an electronic device. It consists of a processor (CPU), memory (RAM and ROM), input/output interfaces, and sometimes additional components like timers or analog-to-digital converters, all on a single chip.
"A task-specific microcomputer" or "A small electronic controller and monitor, programmed to perform specific tasks."
Microcontrollers are widely used in various devices and systems to control and monitor operations automatically, ensuring efficient and precise functioning based on pre-programmed instructions.