Different Components of Electrical Devices

Classifications
 Active components rely on a source of energy (usually from the DC circuit, which we have chosen to ignore) and
usually can inject power into a circuit, though this is not part of the definition. [1] Active components include
amplifying components such as transistors, triode vacuum tubes (valves), and tunnel diodes.
 Passive components can't introduce net energy into the circuit. They also can't rely on a source of power, except
for what is available from the (AC) circuit they are connected to. As a consequence, they can't amplify (increase
the power of a signal), although they may increase a voltage or current (such as is done by a transformer or
resonant circuit). Passive components include two-terminal components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors,
and transformers.
 Electromechanical components can carry out electrical operations by using moving parts or by using electrical
connections

Resistor
A resistor is an electrical component that restricts the flow of current in the circuit. Resistor can also be used to afford a
specific voltage to a transistor. When current flows through the resistor, the resistor absorbs the electrical energy and
degenerates it in the form of heat.
Capacitor
A capacitor is a two terminal linear passive component which is made from two conductive plates with an insulator
between them. The main function of a capacitor is that it stores electrical energy when an electric charge is forced onto its
terminals from a power source. It maintains the charge even after getting disconnected from the power source. In a timing
circuit, a capacitor is used with a resistor and also can be used as a filter to allow the AC signals and block the DC signals.
Microcontroller
A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit that assembles all the features that are found in the
microprocessor. In order to serve different applications, it has a high concentration of on chip amenities such as RAM,
ROM, timers I/O ports, serial port, interrupt and clock circuit. These are used in various automatically controlled devices
such as remote controls, medical devices, automobile engine control systems, power tools, toys, office machines, and
other embedded systems.
Inductor
An inductor or coil or a reactor is a two-terminal passive electrical component. The main function of an inductor is that it
stores electrical energy in the form of magnetic energy. Generally, an inductor comprises a conductor, commonly wound
into a coil, that works on the principle of Faraday’s law of inductance. When a current flow through the coil from the left
side to the right side – the coil produces a magnetic field in the clockwise direction.
Transformer
A transformer is an electrical device which consists of two coils of wire, that are linked by an iron core. It offers
the much-needed capability of changing the current and voltage levels easily. The main function of the transformer is that
to increase (step-up) or decrease(step-down) AC voltages. Transformer converts an electrical energy from one circuit to
another circuit with the help of mutual induction between the two windings without electrical connection between them,
and also converts power from one circuit to another circuit without changing the frequency but with a different voltage
level.
Battery
A battery is an electrical device which is used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy through electrochemical
discharge reactions. It is composed of one or more cells wherein each cell has an anode (+), the cathode (-) and the
electrolyte. The anode and the cathode are kept up to an electrical circuit. Batteries are classified into two types; they are
primary or disposable batteries and secondary or rechargeable batteries, wherein the primary batteries are not rechargeable
while the secondary batteries are rechargeable.
Fuse
A fuse is a material or a piece of wire which is used to protect the components from destruction due to excessive current
flowing through them. When an excessive current flow through the circuit, the wires get heated up and get damaged. As a
result, the current stops flowing. When the fuse melts due to overflow of current then, the element of the fuse absorbs
some energy.
Diodes
A diode is a device, which is made from semiconductor material that allows current to flow in one direction; it blocks the
current which tries to go against the flow in a wire. These devices are often used in many electronic circuits that convert
AC to DC.
Light-Emitting Diodes
A light-emitting diode (or LED) is a special type of diode that emits light when current passes through it.
Transistors
The Transistor is an electronic device, which consists of three terminals, made of semiconductor material which controls
the flow of voltage or current and acts as a switch for electronic signals. There are two types of transistors PNP and NPN,
most circuits tend to use NPN transistor. Transistors are designed in different shapes and the three terminals of the
transistor namely, base (B), emitter (E) and collector(C). Where, base terminal is responsible for activating the transistor,
emitter terminal is the negative lead and collector terminal is the positive lead.
Terminals and Connectors
Components that are used to make electrical connection.
Relays
Relays are electromechanical switches that are used to control the circuits by using a low power signal. The relays
comprise of an electromagnet, an armature, a series of electrical contacts and a spring. First relays were used as amplifiers
in long distance telegraph circuits. There is no electrical connection between the two circuits in the relay because they are
connected through magnetic connection. Relays are used to perform logical operations in telephone exchanges and
computers etc.
Switches
A switch is an electrical device which is used to break the circuit, interrupting the current and to supply the current from
one conductor to another conductor. The switch works with ON and OFF mechanism. Switches are classified into four
types such as (SPST) single pole single throw, (SPDT) single pole double throw, (DPST) double pole single throw and
(DPDT) double pole double throw.
Motors
A motor is an electrical device and the main function of the motor is to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
The motor contains rotor, stator, bearings, conduit box, enclosure and eye bolt. Electric motors are everywhere, from
common machines to the most complex computers. These motors are competent for the tasks which they perform when
compared to pneumatic or hydraulic alternatives. Motors are categorized into different types such as, AC inductance
motors, DC motors, stepper motor, brushless permanent magnet synchronous motor, brushed DC motor, and switched
reluctance motor.
Circuit Breakers
A circuit breaker is a mechanical switching device which is operated automatically and is used to protect the electrical
circuit from the damage caused by overload or short circuit. The main function of the circuit breaker is to interrupt current
flow and to identify a fault condition. It comprises two contacts such as fixed and moving contact. Moving contact is used
to break and make the circuit using stored energies in the form of spring or compressed air. Fixed contact includes a spring
that holds the moving contact after closing. These devices consist of two coils, closing and tripping coil. Where closing
coil is used to close the circuit and tripping coil is used to trip the circuit.
Integrated Circuits
An integrated circuit is a special component that contains an entire electronic circuit, complete with transistors, diodes,
and other elements, all photographically etched onto a tiny piece of silicon. Integrated circuits are the building blocks of
modern electronic devices such as computers and cellphones.
Hall effect sensor – senses a magnetic field
Current sensor – senses a current through it
Phototube or photodiode – tube equivalent of semiconductor photodiode
Photomultiplier tube – phototube with internal gain
Vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) – modern non-raster sort of small CRT display
Magic eye tube – small CRT display used as a tuning meter (obsolete)
X-ray tube – generates x-rays
Fuel cell – an electrochemical generator
Power supply – usually a main hook-up
Photo voltaic device – generates electricity from light
Thermo electric generator – generates electricity from temperature gradients
Electrical generator – an electromechanical power source
Piezoelectric generator - generates electricity from mechanical strain
Van de Graaff generator - generates electricity from friction
Rheostat – two-terminal variable resistor (often for high power)
Potentiometer – three-terminal variable resistor (variable voltage divider)
Trim pot – small potentiometer, usually for internal adjustments
Thermistor – thermally sensitive resistor whose prime function is to exhibit a large, predictable and precise change in
electrical resistance when subjected to a corresponding change in body temperature.[3]
Humistor – humidity-varied resistor
Memristor - Electrical components that pass charge in proportion to magnetism or magnetic flux, and have the ability to
retain a previous resistive state, hence the name of Memory plus Resistor.
Varistor, Voltage Dependent Resistor, MOV – Passes current when excessive voltage is present
Resistance wire, Nichrome wire – wire of high-resistance material, often used as a heating element
Heater – heating element
Transducers - generate physical effects when driven by an electrical signal, or vice versa.
Sensors (detectors) - transducers that react to environmental conditions by changing their electrical properties or
generating an electrical signal.
Loudspeaker – Electromagnetic or piezoelectric device to generate full audio
Buzzer – Electromagnetic or piezoelectric sounder to generate tones
Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) – Magnetic – detects linear position
Rotary encoder, Shaft Encoder – Optical, magnetic, resistive or switches – detects absolute or relative angle or
rotational speed
Inclinometer – Capacitive – detects angle with respect to gravity
Flow meter – detects flow in liquid or gas
Strain gauge – Piezoelectric or resistive – detects squeezing, stretching, twisting
Accelerometer – Piezoelectric – detects acceleration, gravity
Thermocouple, thermopile – Wires that generate a voltage proportional to delta temperature
Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) – Wire whose resistance changes with temperature
Bolometer – Device for measuring the power of incident electromagnetic radiation
Thermal cutoff – Switch that is opened or closed when a set temperature is exceeded
Photo resistor – Light dependent resistor (LDR)
Crystal – a ceramic crystal used to generate precise frequencies (See the Modules class below for complete oscillators)
Ceramic resonator – Is a ceramic crystal used to generate semi-precise frequencies
Ceramic filter – Is a ceramic crystal used to filter a band of frequencies such as in radio receivers
Ultrasonic motor – Electric motor that uses the piezoelectric effects
Ground-fault protection or residual-current device – circuit breaker sensitive to mains currents passing to ground
Metal oxide varistor (MOV), surge absorber, TVS – Over-voltage protection
Inrush current limiter – protection against initial Inrush current
Gas discharge tube – protection against high voltage surges
Spark gap – electrodes with a gap to arc over at a high voltage
Lightning arrester – spark gap used to protect against lightning strikes