BASIC ELECTRONICS

Electronics is the branch of science that deals with the study of flow and
control of electrons (electricity) and the study of their behavior and
effects in vacuums, gases, and semiconductors, and with devices using
such electrons.
 This control of electrons is accomplished by devices that resist, carry,
select, steer, switch, store, manipulate, and exploit the electron
Solid State Components (Semi-conductors)

 Solid-state refers to electronic components, devices,

and systems based entirely on the semiconductor . A
solid state device is one that can control current
without moving parts or heated elements.
 Semiconductors: These are elements that are neither
good conductors nor good insulators.
 Silicon and germanium are the most commonly used
elements for semi-conductors.
 Construction of semiconductors?
- (Doping, N-type, P-type PN junction)

 Doping: The addition of impurities to a

semiconductor in order to have either
an excess of free electrons or a
shortage of free electrons.
 N-Type: This is a semiconductor
material with more electrons than
protons. Has an excess of electrons
 P-Type: This is a semiconductor
material with less electrons than
protons. It has a shortage of electrons
 PN Junction: This is a junction where
the P-type and the N-type materials
 Diodes

 A diode is made of one layer of

‘P’ type material and the other
of ‘N’ type material. They only
allow current to flow in one
direction.
 conventional Direction of
current flow is indicated by
arrow
Types of Diodes
 Zener Diodes

 This diode is heavily doped during manufacture. Thus it has a

huge number of free electrons and electron holes. These
additional current carriers permit reverse current flow when
a certain voltage (the avalanche point or zener point) is
reached. Below this voltage, the zener diode acts like a
regular diode.
 Importance or Application
 Zener diodes are placed inside
the alternator’s voltage
regulator. These diodes act as
a safety mechanism to limit
the output of the stator
winding.
Characteristics
 Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
 LEDs allow current flow in only one direction. The
difference is that when forward voltage is applied to an
LED, the LED radiates a beam of light. Many Light
Emitting Diodes (LEDs) connected in series can be
arranged to light as numbers or letters in a display
 Protecting LEDs
 Most LEDs can handle only a
small current of about 20 to 30 Anode Cathode
mA. To prevent damage to an
LED, a current-limiting resistor
is placed in series with the LED.
 Transistors

 Transistors contain three

materials instead of two. The
three materials are arranged
so that “N” type and ‘P’ type
materials alternate (either as
PNP or NPN group).
 Diodes have two leads while
transistors have three.
 Emitter, Base and Collector
 The arrow indicates current flow direction (using conventional
theory), and is always on the emitter. The arrow points in a different
direction depending on whether the transistor is PNP or NPN. The
arrow always points towards the N material and away from the P
material. So for a PNP transistor, the arrow points inward towards
the base. For a NPN transistor, the arrow points away from the base.
 Transistor Operation
 A transistor works by using
the base to control the
current flow between the
emitter and the collector.
When the transistor is turned
‘on’ current can flow in the
direction of the arrow only.
When the transistor is ‘off’,
current cannot flow in either
direction.
 The current through the base
circuit is always much smaller
than the current across the
collector circuit. Changing the
base current a little results in
a big change in the collector
current.
 Transistor Applications

 Transistors are used as switching devices. They can also be

used to amplify or oscillate current or as dimmers.
 Resistors are used to precisely control the voltage supplied
to a transistor so that the required output current is
attained. Resistors used in this way are placed on the base
circuit.
 They are also used for transistor protection. If resistors or
other resistances are not placed in the emitter and collector
parts of the circuit, high currents can destroy the transistor.