CHAPTER II BASIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS There are several basic electronic component that we can find around us,

mainly: Wire Resistors Fixed Variable Capacitors Transistors Diodes Switches Motors Integrated Circuits

Basic electronic components 2.1 Wire Used as a conductor; usually copper, Sometimes aluminum.

Wire 2.2 Resistors The function of resistor is to resists or slows down the flow of electrons. The two main characteristics of a resistor are its resistance, R, in ohms and its power rating, P, in Watts.

The resistance, R, provides the required reduction in current or the desired drop in voltage.

The wattage rating indicates the amount of power the resistor can safely dissipate as heat. The wattage rating is always more than the actual amount of power dissipated by the resistor, as a safety factor. Generally, there are two category of resistor, namely: a. Fixed Resistors Can only handle a certain amount of current. Typically made from a resistance wire, which is wound around a ceramic core and covered with some insulating material (Horn, p.23).

Carbon Film

Metal Oxide

Metal Film

Example of fixed resistor b. Variable resistors Also known as rheostats, or potentiometers Allow you to regulate the amount of current flowing through the circuit Resistors are non-polarized, which means there are no positive or negative ends

Potentiometer A. Types of Resistors Wire-wound resistors Carbon-composition resistors Film-type resistors Carbon film Metal film Surface-mount resistors (chip resistors) Fusible resistors Thermistors Wire Wound Resistor Special resistance wire is wrapped around an insulating core, typically porcelain, cement, or pressed paper. These resistors are typically used for high-current applications with low resistance and appreciable power.

Large wire-wound resistors with 50-W power ratings. (a) Fixed R, length of 5 in. (b) Variable R, diameter of 3 in.

Carbon Composition Resistors Made of carbon or graphite mixed with a powdered insulating material. Metal caps with tinned copper wire (called axial leads) are joined to the ends of the carbon resistance element. They are used for soldering the connections into a circuit. Becoming obsolete because of the development of carbon-film resistors.

Carbon resistors with the same physical size but different resistance values. 2.3 Capacitors Basic job is to store electron current until needed by the circuit Charge and discharge electrons as required by the circuit Made up of two or more plates (conductors), each separated by a dielectric (insulator) Ceramic capacitors and mica capacitors are non-polarized Electrolytic capacitors are polarized, meaning one lead is positive and the other is negative, as marked

Ceramic

Electrolytic

Tantalum

Capacitors 2.4 Transistors Solid-state device used for switching and/or amplifying the flow of electrons in a circuit Two basic types of transistors are switching and amplifying Switching transistors are used in circuits, which are either on or off Amplifying transistors amply an electrical signal are used in places where the amount of signal is important A phototransistor is a solid state component where the amount of light which passes through a lens controls the amount of current flow

Transistor 2.5 Diodes A solid state device designed to permit the flow of electrons in one direction and block the flow in the opposite direction Made from germanium or silicon A zener diode is used to regulate voltage A light emitting diode (LED) is a solid state component that emits a tiny bit of light when current passes through it

Diode 2.6 Switches Switches is a device which closes to complete an electrical circuit allowing electrons to flow through the circuit, or which opens or breaks a circuit, stopping the flow.

Switches 2.7 Motors A device used to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. The flow of electrons passing through a motor can be used to produce motion by turning gears and other mechanical devices

Motor 2.8 Integrated Circuits Three common electronic components, which make up an integrated circuit, are resistors, transistors and capacitors. The main advantage of ICs is that so much electronic circuitry can be in such a small package.

Integrated Circuit