Difference between revisions of "Components"

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Components are the basic building blocks of circuits. An individual component can be thought of as a single physical device in a circuit. We used to think of them as the resistors, capacitors, diodes, and other discrete components that make up our electronics, but as technology has advanced more and more devices have been added to this category. Components can be categorized in a variety of ways. Sometimes this might be by their electrical characteristics, like resistors and capacitors, while other devices, like sensors, are categorized by their use. In some cases this can result in a component that is listed twice. For example, a temperature sensing resistor is both a resistor and a sensor.
  
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== Individual Components and their Uses ==
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Compound components known as [[Modules | modules]] have steadily increased in popularity, making it easier than ever to add specific functionality to a circuit, whether it be in the form of a power supply, wireless radio, or one of the many other types of modules. [[Microcontroller Boards]] are but one example. Integrated circuits are another form of compound components, and there are hundreds of kinds available for a wide range of applications.
  
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What is an Individual Component?  As we use it here it is more or less what we can buy 1 of.  We used to think of this as a resistor, battery, bulb.... but the world has become more complicated.  For quite a long time back circuits may have been built using per-built power supplies.  We categorize these as [[Modules]], now a large number of building blocks are available this way, [[Microcontroller Boards]] are but one example.  Integrated circuits are another form of compound components, there are 100's of kinds.  In this listing  [[Integrated Circuits]], [[Modules]], [[Microcontroller Boards]] are listed as one item, but note that they come in a huge number of flavors with a huge number of purposes.
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In this listing  [[Integrated Circuits]], [[Modules]], [[Microcontroller Boards]] are listed as one item, but note that they come in a huge number of flavors with a huge number of purposes.
  
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Note that components are sometimes characterized by their electrical characteristics ( resistor, capacitor... ) and sometimes by their use ( sensor ) and sometimes by other characteristics.  This can mean that a component is listed twice. For example, a temperature sensing resistor is both a resistor and a sensor.  We are listing in alphabetic order, but remember components may have various names.
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== Types ==
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=== [[Battery | Batteries]] ===
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=== [[battery|Batteries]] ===
 
 
Power Up.
 
Power Up.
  
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=== [[Switches|Switches and Relays]] ===
 
=== [[Switches|Switches and Relays]] ===
 
Turn things on and off.
 
Turn things on and off.
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== [[Popular Parts]] ==
 
== [[Popular Parts]] ==
 
So many parts to pick, but which ones?  Why not pick a popular part, or a group of parts for areas of interest?
 
So many parts to pick, but which ones?  Why not pick a popular part, or a group of parts for areas of interest?
  
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== Where do Components Come From ==
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== Obtaining Components ==
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=== [[Manufacturers | Component Manufacturers]] ===
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=== Component [[Manufacturers]] ===
 
 
Links to homepages, phone numbers, contact info, ...  There is often info under each component as well in the components sections above.
 
Links to homepages, phone numbers, contact info, ...  There is often info under each component as well in the components sections above.
  
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=== [[PCB Manufacturers]] ===
 
=== [[PCB Manufacturers]] ===
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contact info, PCB trace width/spacing capability, ...
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Contact info, PCB trace width/spacing capability, ...
  
 
=== [[Salvage Ideas]]===
 
=== [[Salvage Ideas]]===
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Unusual ideas for the fruits of your labor.
 
Unusual ideas for the fruits of your labor.
  
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=== Fakes ===
 
=== Fakes ===
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Beware!
 
Beware!
  
 
*[http://sound.westhost.com/counterfeit.htm Counterfeit Index]
 
*[http://sound.westhost.com/counterfeit.htm Counterfeit Index]
  
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== How to Store Components  ==
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== Component Storage ==
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* [[Component and Parts Storage]]
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[[Component and Parts Storage]]
 
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== Data Sheets ==
 
== Data Sheets ==
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You will want data sheets for you parts.  Do not leave home, or start a project without them.
  
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You will want data sheets for you parts.  Do not leave home, or start a project without them.
 
 
Check:
 
Check:
 
* original manufacturer
 
* original manufacturer
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==
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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_components Electronic component From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_components Electronic component From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]
 
*[http://www.piclist.com/images/www/hobby_elec/e_parts.htm Basic Components]  Quite a few components and some info on use.
 
*[http://www.piclist.com/images/www/hobby_elec/e_parts.htm Basic Components]  Quite a few components and some info on use.
 
*[http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scots_Guide/info/comp/comp.htm Electronic Components]
 
*[http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scots_Guide/info/comp/comp.htm Electronic Components]
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[[Category:Components| ]]
 
[[Category:Components| ]]

Revision as of 14:21, 3 November 2014

Components are the basic building blocks of circuits. An individual component can be thought of as a single physical device in a circuit. We used to think of them as the resistors, capacitors, diodes, and other discrete components that make up our electronics, but as technology has advanced more and more devices have been added to this category. Components can be categorized in a variety of ways. Sometimes this might be by their electrical characteristics, like resistors and capacitors, while other devices, like sensors, are categorized by their use. In some cases this can result in a component that is listed twice. For example, a temperature sensing resistor is both a resistor and a sensor.

Compound components known as modules have steadily increased in popularity, making it easier than ever to add specific functionality to a circuit, whether it be in the form of a power supply, wireless radio, or one of the many other types of modules. Microcontroller Boards are but one example. Integrated circuits are another form of compound components, and there are hundreds of kinds available for a wide range of applications.

In this listing Integrated Circuits, Modules, Microcontroller Boards are listed as one item, but note that they come in a huge number of flavors with a huge number of purposes.

Types

Batteries

Power Up.

Capacitors

Store charge and energy, block dc, filter. In their simplest form passive components, but now some are IC using switched capacitors to synthesize other and variable values.

Connectors

Join parts.

demo board

Lots of people put a microprocessor and most of the other essential stuff on a tiny little demo board, easy to plug into your solderless breadboard (or your custom PCB) that has just a few more things that make your project special.

Enclosures

Cover up.

Integrated Circuits

Op Amps, Voltage Regulators, Drivers, Digitally Programmable Potentiometers, 555 Timers ... For motor drivers see Motors below. Lots of parts in a package to do something useful.

Optoelectronics

LEDs, photodiodes, optoisolators, LCDs, IR proximity detectors,...

Oscillator

Crystals, Ceramic Resonators, oscillators, ... Vibrate with excitement.

Other Passives

including Inductors and Transformers

Microcontrollers and Microcontroller Boards or Modules

Little Computers for your entertainment.

Motors

Make thing move. We include some circuits/chips for driving motors. Servos, steppers, and others.

Modules

GPS, Mobile Phone, RF Transceiver, Bluetooth Modules, ...

Resistors

and Potentiometers Resistance is not futile. In there simplest form passive components, but now some are IC using forming variable resistors and potentiometers.

Transistors, Diodes, etc.

Diodes, Transistors are described here. These guys are the basic semiconductors or solid state electronics. ( But not Light Emitting Diodes = LED or Photo Diodes which are listed under Optoelectronics. )

Sensors

Accelerometers, Gyroscopes, Temperature Sensors, Pressure Sensors, ... Find out what is going on.

Switches and Relays

Turn things on and off.

Popular Parts

So many parts to pick, but which ones? Why not pick a popular part, or a group of parts for areas of interest?

Obtaining Components

Component Manufacturers

Links to homepages, phone numbers, contact info, ... There is often info under each component as well in the components sections above.

Free From Salvage

Dig in, to the free stuff, a list of links and a bunch of ideas on how to use your loot.

Free Samples

Free is nice.

PCB Manufacturers

Contact info, PCB trace width/spacing capability, ...

Salvage Ideas

Unusual ideas for the fruits of your labor.

Suppliers

Good places to buy, numbers to call, people to talk to, ... Get your low cost motor controller boards & motor driver ICs

Fakes

Beware!

Component Storage

Data Sheets

You will want data sheets for you parts. Do not leave home, or start a project without them.

Check:

Links

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