Electrical and Electronic Components – Functions & Symbols

Component Component
Component Name Description/Function
Image Symbol
Antenna is a device for converting radio frequency
(RF) current from a radio transmitter into an
electromagnetic signal (radio wave) radiated into
Antenna
space, or for capturing a small portion of the
electromagnetic wave from space and then feeding it
into a receiver for amplification.
A battery is a device consisting of one or more cells
Battery that produces electricity from a chemical reaction and
is used as a source of power.
A capacitor is an electronic component made up of
two conductors (plates), separated by a dielectric or
insulating material, which accumulates electric
charge when connected to a power source. Common
uses for capacitor:-
Capacitor  Stores electric charge.
 Acts as a filter to smooth out variations in a direct
current.
 Blocks DC and permits AC in a circuit.
 Couples or bonds electrical signals from one part
of the circuit to another.

Fixed or Non-polarized A capacitor with no implicit polarity and, therefore,

Capacitor can be connected either way in a circuit.

A capacitor with positive and negative leads and can

Polarized Capacitor
be connected only one way in a circuit.

A capacitor whose capacitance may be intentionally

Variable or Tuning and repeatedly changed mechanically or
Capacitor electronically. Used mostly in radio tuning circuits,
hence, the name tuning capacitor.
A miniature variable capacitor designed for providing
extremely small increases in capacitance. It is a
Trimmer/Padder trimmer when connected in parallel with another
capacitor and a padder when connected in series
with another capacitor.
A wafer of natural quartz or any piezoelectric material
having a definite thickness that vibrates to create an
Crystal electrical signal with a very precise frequency. Its
main uses are in oscillator circuits, clocks, radios,
computers and cellphones.
Diode A semiconductor component which allows current to
flow through it in only one direction. When the
correct voltage polarity is applied, the diode is in a
“forward bias” condition, and when the polarity is
incorrect, it is in a “reverse bias” condition. A diode
can be used:-
 As a rectifier that converts AC to DC for a power
supply device.
 To detect or separate the signal from radio
 frequencies.
 As an on/off switch that controls current.
A LED is a semiconductor component that emits light
Light Emitting Diode
when current flows through it. Used mainly as an
(LED)
indicator lamp in many devices.

A photodiode is a semiconductor component that

Photodiode
allows current flow when exposed to light.

A Zener diode is a special kind of diode which allows

current to flow in the forward direction same as an
ideal diode, but will also permit it to flow in the
Zener Diode
reverse direction when the voltage is above a certain
value known as the breakdown voltage, " or "Zener
voltage."
A fuse is a protective device having a short length of
wire that melts or blows when the current that
Fuse
passes through it exceeds a specified or
predetermined value.
A coil or solenoid that generates magnetic field that
induces or creates voltage. Inductor has two types:
Inductor an air core whereby it is just a wound of wire and a
magnetic core which is a coil of wire wound on a
ferrite.
An inductor with a core that can be moved into or out
of the coil, increasing or decreasing the number of
Variable Inductor
turns of a coil, which in turn increases or decreases
the inductance.
Also called a chip, an IC is a miniaturized electronic
circuit consisting of several interconnected active
devices (transistors, diodes) and passive
Integrated Circuit (IC)
components (resistors, capacitors, etc.) fabricated
together on a thin substrate of semiconductor
material (usually a silicon).
Op Amp is a form of linear IC that has two inputs,
called inverting and non-inverting, and a single-
Operational Amplifier (Op
ended output which produces an output voltage that
Amp)
is typically hundreds of thousands times larger than
the voltage difference between its input terminals.
A loudspeaker (or "speaker") is a transducer that
Loudspeaker produces sound in response to an electrical audio
signal input.
A meter is an electrical or electronic measuring
Meter instrument having a dial or digital display as an
indicator.

Ammeter is a measuring instrument used to measure

Ammeter electric current in a circuit. Its unit of measurement is
called ampere (A).
An ohmmeter is a measuring instrument used to
Ohmmeter measure the electrical resistance. The unit of
measurement is called ohm (Ω).
 A voltmeter is a measuring instrument used to
measure the potential difference or voltage between
Voltmeter
two points in an electric circuit. The unit of
measurement is called volt (V).

A microphone is a transducer or sensor that converts

Microphone
sound into an electrical signal.

A relay is an electromechanical device having one or

more contacts that are opened and closed by a
Relay magnetic field. This magnetic field is generated by its
own built-in electromagnet that can be activated by
an external circuit.
A resistor is an electronic component that resists or
reduces the flow of current in a circuit. There are two
kinds, fixed and variable. A variable resistor has a
Resistor
resistance track made of carbon or cermat (a mixture
of metal and ceramic) with a wiper that slides along
the track to pick off selected voltages.
A potentiometer is a variable resistor with three
terminals, two of which are connected to the voltage
Potentiometer
source and the third one to the wiper to select a
specific voltage from that source.
A rheostat is a variable resistor with two terminals,
one of which goes to one end of the track and the
Rheostat
other goes directly to the wiper to vary the level of
the source.
A thermistor is a temperature-sensitive resistor
having a high resistance when it’s cold and a very
low resistance when it’s heated. Usual application is
Thermistor
in transistor bias-stabilization circuits and also widely
used as inrush current limiters, temperature sensors,
& self-regulating heating elements.
A thyristor is a semiconductor device that consists of
four alternating layers of N-type and P-type material
Thyristor
and functions as a bistable switch – it starts
conducting when its gate receives a pulse of current.
A transformer is a device consisting of two or more
coils coupled together by magnetic induction that
Transformer transfers electrical energy from one circuit to
another. Usual application is to convert a 220-volt
AC line into a lower secondary winding voltage.
A transistor is an active semiconductor device that
controls the flow of electric current and is used in a
variety of applications such as a switch, amplifier,
Transistor
rectifier and oscillator. It has three electrical
connections or electrodes which are called base,
emitter and collector.
A phototransistor is a light-sensitive transistor. It is
an ordinary transistor that conducts electric current
Phototransistor
when light shines on it. Its base is usually left
unconnected in a circuit.