BASIC ELECTRONICS

(ECE 330)
Engr. Bautista

John Lloyd A. Vincoy

BSME III
1. State the three key components in the history of electronics and describe their impact on
electronic technology.
The history of electronics is a story of the twentieth century and three key components—
the vacuum tube, the transistor, and the integrated circuit. In 1883, Thomas Alva Edison
discovered that electrons will flow from one metal conductor to another through a vacuum. This
discovery of conduction became known as the Edison effect. In 1904, John Fleming applied the
Edison effect in inventing a two-element electron tube called a diode, and Lee De Forest
followed in 1906 with the three-element tube, the triode. These vacuum tubes were the devices
that made manipulation of electrical energy possible so it could be amplified and transmitted.

2. Discuss vacuum tubes and transistors. How do they differ? Give sample images to support
your answer.
Conceptually there is almost no difference at all, especially if you comparing vacuum tubes to
discrete field effect transistors (FET) or mosfet integrated circuits.
The flow of current through a vacuum tube is controlled by the grid to cathode voltage. The flow
of current through a FET is controlled by the gate to source voltage. The mathematical
relationship between the control voltage and he controlled current is quite similar in both
devices.
The differences arise in practical matters of engineering: size, voltage ratings, heat etc. Most
tubes require the cathode to be heated red hot to make it emit electrons - which requires in most
cases a separate power source for the heater filament. But that is just an engineering detail that
does not affect the topology of the circuit.
In theory (and long ago in practice) you could build a computer using tubes, and the design was
not that different than a modern integrated circuit computer in concept. But tubes are millions of
times larger than the smallest transistors in a microprocessor chip, which make it possible to
build far more complex circuits with ICs than is practical with tubes.

3. Name three advantages to the use of transistors over the vacuum tube.
Can be combined in the millions on one cheap die to make an integrated circuit, whereas tubes
are limited to at most three functional units per glass bulb.
Lower power consumption, less waste heat, and high efficiency than equivalent tubes, especially
in small-signal circuits.
Can operate on lower-voltage supplies for greater safety, lower costs, tighter clearances.
4. Why is a resistor important?
Resistors are the most basic & most important passive elements. There must be at least one
resistor in every electronics circuit.
We can use resistors as testing loads in any testing circuit. For example, you designed & built a
mobile phone charger circuit. Now you want to test the charger. So, what will you connect to test
if the charger is okay or not? Will you connect a mobile phone to test it? If the circuit is not
perfect, your mobile phone will get damaged, & there is also chance of fire & explosion. So, in
such scenario, you have to use a load resistor. It is better to destroy a resistor than a whole
mobile phone.
Resistors are also used as discharging of capacitors. If a circuit is capacitive, you can still get
shock even after unplugging from mains, because the capacitors are charged. To discharge those
capacitors, high resistance resistors (1 M-ohm) are connected across the capacitors to discharge
the capacitors.

5. Give the important parameters of a resistor.

Resistance specification
The resistance is obviously the key resistor specification. The value of the resistance is required
by the calculations for the particular application in which it is to be used.
Power dissipation specification
The power dissipated in a resistor is easy to calculate. The basic equation for power is:
W=V⋅I
Where:
    W = power in watts
    V = voltage in volts
    I = current in amps
Power de-rating specification
The resistor specification for power de-rating can be important when components may be
expected to run at higher temperatures.
Temperature coefficient specification
The temperature coefficient specification is the parameter that indicates the change in resistance
with changing temperature. The resistor specification for the temperature coefficient will be very
dependent upon the type of resistor, and it may also vary from one manufacturer to another. IT is
therefore important to check the resistor specification for the temperature coefficient to ensure
the particular resistor is suitable for the given application.
Maximum temperature specification
The resistor specification for temperature needs to be adhered to. Above certain temperatures the
resistor may function outside its specified operating parameters. Also, under extreme conditions
damage could result and the overall circuit may cease to function.
Resistor specification for maximum voltage
Resistors are designed to operate up to a certain voltage. Above this voltage there is the
possibility of breakdown as a result of the electrical stress applied to the component.
As a result of this resistor datasheets will contain a resistor specification for the maximum
voltage that should be applied.
The actual value will depend on a variety of factors including the physical size of the resistor, its
structure, the technology used, and a variety of other factors.

6. Discuss the types of resistors. (Provide images)

Types of Fixed resistors.
Composition Types of Resistor
Carbon Resistors are the most common type of Composition Resistors. Carbon resistors are a
cheap general purpose resistor used in electrical and electronic circuits. Their resistive element is
manufactured from a mixture of finely ground carbon dust or graphite (similar to pencil lead)
and a non-conducting ceramic (clay) powder to bind it all together.
Wire Wound Resistors.
Another type of resistor, called a Wirewound Resistor, is made by winding a thin metal alloy
wire (Nichrome) or similar wire onto an insulating ceramic former in the form of a spiral helix
similar to the film resistor above.

These types of resistor are generally only available in very low ohmic high precision values
(from 0.01Ω to 100kΩ) due to the gauge of the wire and number of turns possible on the former
making them ideal for use in measuring circuits and Wheatstone bridge type applications.

Thick Film Resistors.

The generic term “Film Resistor” consist of Metal Film, Carbon Film and Metal Oxide
Film resistor types, which are generally made by depositing pure metals, such as nickel, or an
oxide film, such as tin-oxide, onto an insulating ceramic rod or substrate.