This is a comprehensive and detailed page that will give you all the information you need to know about all electronic components and their functions.
Being the building blocks of modern technology, I have had this thought that electronic components are the unsung heroes of technology.
Components do enable the control and therefore the manipulation of electrical signals allowing for the creation of a wide range of electronic systems and devices.
These could be simple electronic circuits like the ones found on remote controls or even complex microprocessors that are found in computers.
This page will also act as a guide on all the electronic components that we have at our electronic store in Kenya. Kindly visit our About page and learn more about us.
We are the best electronic components store in Kenya and only stock genuine and authentic components at the best prices.
Electronic Components Applications
There are so many applications that emanate from components. Below we share with you three categorizations that we believe capture the various applications.
These amazing pieces of technology play a very crucial and critical role in our day-to-day lives and can be utilized to create wonderful applications.
Kindly see the three categories below: If we forgot some, do not hesitate to let us know.
Assembly of new and modern appliances and gadgets
Most of the appliances and gadgets you see around or indeed have around you have been assembled and built from components.
These tiny and powerful devices are the fundamental building blocks of new and modern-age electronics.
Furthermore, they have also enabled the production of appliances and gadgets that have changed our lives very much.
Drones, Smartphones, Space Crafts, Smart Cars, IoT, Planes, and supercomputers have all been built using electronic components.
Assembly of DIY (do it yourself) projects
If you are a student or electronic hobbyist, then you can utilize these devices to assemble and make your DIY (do-it-yourself projects)
In addition to this, you can also discover new electronic theories with electronic components.
And the truth is, you can even become an electronics pro by just learning on the go.
Some of the DIY projects you can undertake would include:
- Rotating solar panels (Using Arduino)
- Arduino ultrasonic radar and sonar monitor project
- Power monitor regenerative braking project
- IoT-enabled notifications smart dustbin
- Autonomous fire-fighting robot
The above are just a tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands of electronic DIY projects that you can actualize.
Repair of electronic appliances and gadgets
If you own an electronic appliance or gadget, then it is most likely that you have needed it repaired after getting faulty or maintained after serving you for a while.
With components, repair, and maintenance of appliances and gadgets is way easier. All you need is a qualified technician or detailed videos and tools and you are set.
Furthermore, if doing it yourself, you’ll need to observe the necessary precautions to avoid injury.
You can utilize these devices to maintain or repair your DVD, TV, Radio, Playstation, Refrigerator, and many other appliances or gadgets.
Electronic Components Categories
There are two major/ main categories of electronic components which are active components and passive components.
Below we delve in and explain to you the difference between the two.
Active Components have some electronic gain and an electronic directionality as well. In addition, their electronic functionality is also defined.
Some examples of active components include:
- Transistors
- Integrated circuits (ICs)
- Logic gates
- Regulators, and
- Relays
Passive components on the other hand do not have a defined directionality and form a majority of the electronic components.
Additionally, they do not achieve any gain and usually perform their functions in combination with other components.
Below are some examples of passive components:
- Diodes
- Resistors
- Inductors
- Capacitors
Types of Electronic Components
Now that we have established electronic components applications and categories, it is time to delve deeper and learn more about the various types of components that fall under each category.
By doing this, we shall have a better understanding of components. We have gone ahead and done detailed articles on specific types of components.
We shall add links to these articles so that you can read and learn more.
Transistors
Transistors are important components in the electronic sphere. They have made it possible for us to build simple, complex, and modern devices such as smartphones, drones, computers, radios, and cameras among others.
A transistor is a fundamental miniature semiconductor device that controls or regulates voltage and current within an electronic circuit.
As this happens, a transistor does some crucial electronic functions like amplification, switching, and signal processing among other functionalities.
Structurally, a transistor contains three layers with each having a terminal attached to it. They are the collector, the base, and the emitter.
Each of these terminals is attached to an electronic circuit and has its functionality depending on where and how it is utilized within the circuit.
In addition, transistors are categorized into two main types – Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) and Field Effect Transistors (FETs).
Kindly check out our types of transistors page to learn and know more about these amazing electronic devices. In addition, our transistors store has a wide variety of transistors.
Integrated Circuits ICs
Known as microchips or chips, integrated circuits or ICs are vital and extremely important components in the electronics sphere.
They are miniature electronic circuits containing vast numbers of interconnected components like transistors, diodes, capacitors, and resistors among others.
All these are contained in a semiconductor substrate making ICs some of the most efficient and easy to work with components.
You can utilize integrated circuits in different electronic applications like in the manufacturing of different electronic devices and electronic systems.
Additionally, these amazing electronic components are compact and efficient therefore reliable for different electronic applications.
Integrated circuits come in different categorizations and types. Below we highlight some of the most common types.
- Analog Integrated Circuits
- Digital Integrated Circuits
- Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits
- Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits
- Power management ICs – and many more
Kindly visit our types of integrated circuits page to learn more… We are also stockists of integrated circuits. Visit our integrated circuits store and see all the available ICs.
Capacitors
Coming in different types, capacitors are vital components that are used to store electrical charge in an electric field with the effect being known as capacitance.
Capacitors being passive components are used in electronic circuits in combination with other components to achieve certain electronic functionalities.
There are four capacitor categories namely – fixed capacitors, variable capacitors, polarized capacitors, and non-polarized capacitors.
Some of the types that fall under the above categorizations are:
- Film Capacitors
- Ceramic Capacitors
- Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors
- Mica Capacitors
- Tantalum Capacitors, among others
In addition to the above, these miniature components have different functionalities depending on their types. They include:
- Energy Storage
- Sinal Coupling
- Motor starting
- Tuning
- Timing
- Decoupling, among others
Kindly visit and have a look at our types of capacitors page and learn everything about capacitors… Additionally, our capacitors store has an array of different types of these components.
Resistors
Resistors are passive components that play a very crucial role in the electronics sphere. The main function of a resistor is to limit the flow of electronic current.
In addition, they are used to control current flow in a circuit and are also used to create voltage dividers thus they are vital components.
There are two main types of resistors – Fixed resistors and variable resistors. Each of these has a specific functionality within an electronic circuit.
Other types of resistors include light-dependent resistors (LDR), thermistors, varistors, surface mount resistors, and high-power resistors among others. visit our resistors store and shop for the resistors you need for your electronic requirements.
Kindly visit our shop and get to see all the electronic products we have in stock. We have gone a step further to review them so that you learn more about them.