Fundamentals of Electronic Components and Circuitry

Electronics and Information Transmission

Electronics is the branch of science focused on the study of electrons and their applications in the processing and transmission of information.

Power Supply and Current Types

An alternating current (AC) supply is used rather than direct current (DC) to minimize energy losses within the electricity grid.

Classification of Electronic Components

Active Components

Active components are able to generate, modify, and amplify electrical signals. Examples include diodes and transistors.

Passive Components

Passive components reduce or adjust the electrical signal of a circuit. Examples include resistors, capacitors, and coils.

Detailed Look at Resistors

Resistors are passive components that provide a specific resistance to the flow of electrical current. Their primary functions are to limit the intensity of the electric circuit at a particular point and to divide the total voltage value.

• Potentiometers: These are variable resistors that can be manually graduated or adjusted.
• Non-linear Resistors: These are resistors whose resistance value is variable and depends on environmental factors like temperature or light.
  • LDR (Light Dependent Resistor): Sensitive to the intensity of light it receives.
  • NTC Resistor: A component where the resistance decreases as the temperature increases.
  • PTC Resistor: A component where the resistance increases as the temperature increases.

Coils, Relays, and Capacitors

Coils

A coil is a component formed by an insulated electrical conductor coiled on a cylindrical surface. It serves to create a magnetic field when an electric current flows through it. The SI unit for inductance is the Henry (H).

Relays

A relay is an electrical switch operated by an electromagnet.

Capacitors

A capacitor is a component that serves to temporarily store electrical charges.

• Capacitance: The relationship between the load received and the potential difference acquired.
• Applications: Used in power supplies and RF (Radio Frequency) signals.

Diodes and LEDs

Diodes are active components that allow the passage of current in only one direction (from Anode to Cathode).

Light Emitting Diodes (LED)

An LED is a component that emits light when an electric current passes through it. The relationship is defined by the formula I = V / R.

Advantages of LEDs:

• Very low heat output
• High lifetime and durability
• Small size and low consumption
• Available in various colors
• High energy performance

Transistors and Amplification

A transistor consists of three parts: the emitter, the base, and the collector.

• Types: NPN and PNP.
• Circuits: It involves the main circuit and the control (government) circuit.
• Applications: Digital automation systems.

Darlington Pair

A Darlington Pair is a coupling of two transistors where the output of the first feeds the base of the second.

Power Gain

Power Gain is a multiplier parameter that indicates the current amplification capability of a transistor.