Components
-- this is a new better revised version --
Individual Components and their Uses
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.
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.
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?
Where to Components Come From
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!
How to Store Components
Data Sheets
You will want data sheets for you parts. Do not leave home, or start a project without them. Check:
- original manufacturer
- parts distributor
- http://www.datasheetcatalog.com/
Links
- Electronic component From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Basic Components Quite a few components and some info on use.
- Electronic Components
