Electronic Components

Understanding Electronic Components

  • Understand that electronic components are the basic building blocks of electronic systems.
  • Get to grips with some of the most common electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and transistors.
  • Know that components are often classified as either active (can amplify signals or energy, e.g., transistors) or passive (cannot amplify, but can increase or decrease signal voltage/amplitude, e.g., resistors).

Resistors

  • Recognise that resistors are used to limit current flow, adjust signal levels and terminate transmission lines.
  • Understand that resistors have two important properties: resistance value (measured in ohms) and power rating (measured in watts).
  • Know that a resistor’s value can often be determined by a colour code printed on its body.

Capacitors

  • Identify that capacitors are used to store and discharge electricity.
  • Understand that capacitors can block direct current (DC) while allowing alternating current (AC) to pass.
  • Remember that capacitors have two important properties: capacitance value (measured in farads) and the maximum voltage they can handle.

Inductors

  • Know that inductors create magnetic fields when current passes through them and oppose any changes in that current.
  • Understand that inductors can store energy in a magnetic field and release it later when needed.

Diodes

  • Be aware that diodes allow electricity to flow in one direction only.
  • Appreciate that diodes have many uses, including converting AC to DC (rectification), voltage regulation and signal modulation.

Transistors

  • Understand that transistors are used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power.
  • Know that transistors are fundamental devices in most electronic systems, including computers and mobile phones.
  • Recognise that the two main types of transistor are the Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) and the Field Effect Transistor (FET).

Integrated Circuits

  • Realise that an integrated circuit (IC) is a set of electronic circuits on one small flat piece (or “chip”) of semiconductor material.
  • Know that ICs revolutionised electronics by enabling complex circuits to be manufactured cheaply and reliably.

PCBs

  • Understand that a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components using conductive tracks, pads and other features etched from one or more sheet layers of copper laminated onto a non-conductive substrate.
  • Appreciate that most electronics contain a PCB of some sort, from simple consumer electronics to complex control systems.