Electrical Components

What are electrical components?

Electrical components refer to a basic discrete component or entity found in electronic systems or utilised to influence electrodes or their associated fields. These components are essential of electronic and electrical circuits. A range of items like capacitors, transistors, resistors, inductors and diodes are examples of electrical components.

Electrical components tend to have several electrical terminals which connect to other electrical components using wire. In turn, this creates electric circuits. You’ll find them used in, for example, semiconductor and hybrid integrated circuits or thick film devices.

Classification of electrical components

Electrical components can be classified as either:

• Passive – these do not introduce net energy into a circuit and don’t rely on source power, apart from what is available from the connected AC circuit
• Active – these rely on source energy, usually a DC circuit and can inject power into a circuit
• Electromechanic – these use moving parts or electrical connections to carry out operations

Examples of passive, active and electromechanical electrical components

Active components

• Transistors
• Diodes
• Integrated circuits
• Programmable devices
• Display technologies
• Power sources

Passive components

• Resistors
• Capacitors
• Transducers, sensors, detectors
• Antennas
• Magnetic (inductive) devices

Electromechanical 

• Electrotechnical systems
• Switches
• Cable assemblies
• Terminals and connectors
• Mechanical accessories