Have you ever looked down on a city from a vantage point and marveled at all of the tiny little buildings below, interconnected by intricate streets and sidewalks? Each and every building serves a purpose. The streets that intertwine the city allow people to travel from one part to the other, making all the buildings accessible. The way cities are arranged, their interconnectivity, and their accessibility all contribute to the vibrancy of it and make it so much more than the sum of its individual parts. The same concept can be applied to electronic equipment.
Electronics are packed with elements that function differently but are linked together by cables or printed metal connections— these elements are like buildings, while the electrical system is like cities. Electronic circuits are built from a small number of standard components, and similar to a LEGO, you can arrange these components together in a vast number of ways to complete an array of jobs. Fundamental electronic components include resistors, diodes, capacitors, transistors, and relays.
Resistors are the simplest part in any circuit. Their main function is to limit the flow of electrons and decrease the current (voltage) that is flowing by transforming electrical energy into heat. Resistors can come in any different size or shape, and choosing one depends on specific application requirements. Devices that have volume controls are known to use variable resistors that contain a dial on them and can be manually operated.
Diodes are comparable to one-way streets in a city; electric currents flow through them strictly in one direction. Sometimes diodes are referred to as rectifiers. These diodes also have the special ability to change alternating currents into direct currents.
Capacitors are designed with simplicity in mind, similar to resistors. They consist of two pieces of conducting material separated by a non-conducting material referred to as a dielectric. Capacitors are commonly used in timing devices; however, they can transform electrical currents in multiple ways.
Transistors can function in various ways; they can switch electric currents on and off or amplify them as a whole. In computers, transistors that act as switches mainly serve memory functions. When they act as amplifiers, they can boost the volume in items such as radios. When two transistors are combined together, they form a new device called a logic gate. These logic gates are effective in carrying out basic decision-making processes.
In layman's terms, a relay is essentially an electrically operated switch. Relays use an electromagnetic mechanism to operate the switch it is assigned to. This isn’t the case for all of them though; other relays can function with solid-state technology that sends a small external voltage which triggers the on and off tool. Relays have the ability to control a high current circuit with a low current signal. They can also sense when there is a malfunction in the power distribution system. You can find relays in computers, home appliances, traffic control systems, telecommunications, automobiles, and many other electronically powered products.
At ASAP Logistic Solutions, owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we can help you find all the electronic components for the aerospace, civil aviation, and defense industries. We’re always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7-365. For a quick and competitive quote, email us at sales@asap-logisticsolutions.com or call us at +1-412-212-0606.