UNIT-1

Electronic Components
Brief History of Electronic
Components
• Early 20th Century: Development of vacuum tubes, which
were the first active electronic components used in radios
and early computers.
• 1947: Invention of the transistor at Bell Labs, revolutionizing
electronics by replacing bulky vacuum tubes.
• 1958: Introduction of the first integrated circuit (IC),
allowing for miniaturization and increased complexity of
electronic devices.
• 1960s-Present: Continuous advancements in
semiconductor technology, leading to modern
microprocessors, sensors, and advanced ICs.
Brief History of Electronic
Components

Vacuum Tubes Transistor

Integrated Circuit Microprocessors (INTEL 4004)

Active and Passive Components
• Active Components: Devices that require an external
power source to operate and can amplify or switch
electronic signals. Examples include transistors, diodes,
and integrated circuits (ICs).
Transistors: Used for switching and amplification in
electronic circuits.
Diodes: Allow current to flow in one direction, used in
rectification and signal demodulation.
Integrated Circuits (ICs): Miniaturized circuits with
multiple components, used in virtually all electronic
devices.
Active and Passive Components
• Passive Components: Devices that do not require an
external power source and cannot amplify signals.
Examples include resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
Resistors: Limit current flow and divide voltages in
circuits.
Capacitors: Store and release electrical energy, used
for filtering and timing applications.
Inductors: Store energy in a magnetic field, used in
filtering and energy storage applications.
Resistors

• Definition: A resistor is a passive electrical component

that limits or regulates the flow of electrical current in a
circuit. It operates on the principle of electrical
resistance.
• Function: Resistors are used to control voltage and
current levels, divide voltages, and protect components
from excessive current.
Specifications of Resistors
• Resistance Value (Ohms, Ω): Indicates how much the
resistor resists the flow of current.
• Power Rating (Watts, W): The maximum amount of
power a resistor can dissipate without being damaged.
• Tolerance (%): The precision of the resistor’s
resistance value, indicating the range within which the
actual resistance may vary.
• Temperature Coefficient (ppm/°C): Indicates how
much the resistance value changes with temperature.
Classification of Resistors
Fixed Resistors

Carbon Composition Metal Film Wire Wound

Variable Resistors (Potentiometers)

rotary potentiometers slide potentiometers

Classification of Resistors
• Fixed Resistors: Have a constant resistance value.
• Carbon Composition: Made of carbon powder and a binder,
used for general purposes.
• Metal Film: Made of a thin metal layer, offering higher
precision and stability.
• Wire Wound: Made of metal wire, suitable for high power
applications.
• Variable Resistors (Potentiometers): Allow for
adjustment of resistance value.
• Types: Includes rotary potentiometers and slide
potentiometers.
Resistors and Applications
• Fixed Type Resistors and Applications
• Carbon Composition Resistors: Used in low-cost and
general-purpose applications.
• Metal Film Resistors: Used in precision applications like
measuring instruments and audio equipment.
• Wire Wound Resistors: Used in power supply and motor
control circuits.
• Variable Type Resistors and Applications
• Rotary Potentiometers: Used in volume controls, tuning, and
adjusting parameters in electronic devices.
• Slide Potentiometers: Used in audio mixing consoles and
graphic equalizers.
Color Coding of Resistors
• Color Code Chart: A system of colored bands on
resistors to indicate their resistance value and tolerance.
• Band 1 & 2: Represent the first two digits of the
resistance value.
• Band 3: Multiplier, representing the power of ten to
multiply the first two digits.
• Band 4: Tolerance, indicating the precision of the resistor.
• Example: A resistor with bands of red, violet, yellow, and
gold has a resistance of 27 x 10^4 ohms (270,000 ohms)
with a tolerance of ±5%.
Color Coding of Resistors
Capacitors
• Definition: A capacitor is a passive electronic
component that stores and releases electrical energy in
a circuit. It consists of two conductive plates separated
by an insulating material called a dielectric.
• Function: Capacitors are used for energy storage,
filtering, and tuning circuits.
Capacitor Specifications
• Capacitance Value (Farads, F): Indicates the amount
of electrical charge a capacitor can store.
• Voltage Rating (Volts, V): The maximum voltage a
capacitor can handle without breaking down.
• Tolerance (%): The precision of the capacitor’s
capacitance value.
• Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR): The internal
resistance within the capacitor that causes power loss.
• Temperature Coefficient: Indicates how the
capacitance value changes with temperature.
Classification of Capacitors
• Fixed Capacitors: Have a constant capacitance value.
• Ceramic Capacitors: Made of ceramic materials, used for high-
frequency applications.
• Electrolytic Capacitors: Have a larger capacitance value, used
for low-frequency applications like power supplies.
• Film Capacitors: Made of plastic film, used in precision
applications.
• Tantalum Capacitors: High capacitance per volume, used in
space-constrained applications.
• Variable Capacitors: Allow for adjustment of
capacitance value.
• Types: Includes trimmer capacitors and tuning capacitors.
Classification of Capacitors
Fixed Capacitors

Ceramic Capacitors Electrolytic Film Capacitors Tantalum Capacitors

Capacitors
Variable Capacitors

Trimmer capacitors Tuning capacitors

Capacitors and Applications
• Fixed Capacitors and Applications:
• Ceramic Capacitors: Used in RF circuits and decoupling
applications.
• Electrolytic Capacitors: Used in power supply filtering and energy
storage.
• Film Capacitors: Used in audio and signal processing applications.
• Tantalum Capacitors: Used in compact electronic devices like
smartphones and laptops.
• Variable Capacitors and Applications:
• Trimmer Capacitors: Used for fine-tuning circuits in RF
applications.
• Tuning Capacitors: Used in radio receivers and transmitters for
frequency adjustment.
Inductors

• Faraday’s Laws of Electromagnetic Induction

• Faraday’s First Law: An electromotive force (EMF) is
induced in a conductor when there is a change in
magnetic flux.
• Faraday’s Second Law: The induced EMF is directly
proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux.
Self-Inductance
• Definition: Self-inductance is
the property of a coil (or
inductor) where a change in
current induces an EMF in the

• Formula: EMF=−𝐿𝑑𝐼/𝑑𝑡
same coil.

• 𝑑𝐼/𝑑𝑡
• L = Inductance in Henrys (H)
= Rate of change of
current
• Application: Used in chokes,
transformers, and energy
storage in power supplies.
Mutual Inductance
• Definition: Mutual inductance
occurs when a change in
current in one coil induces an

• Formula: EMF2=−𝑀𝑑𝐼1/𝑑𝑡
EMF in a nearby coil.

•M = Mutual inductance

• 𝑑𝐼1/𝑑𝑡= Rate of change of

between the two coils

current in the first coil

• Application: Used in
transformers and inductive
coupling.
Inductor Specifications
• Inductance Value (Henrys, H): Indicates the ability of the inductor to store
energy in a magnetic field.
• Current Rating (Amperes, A): The maximum current an inductor can handle
without saturating.
• Saturation Current: The current level at which the inductor core saturates and
the inductance decreases sharply.
• Resistance (Ohms, Ω): The DC resistance of the inductor windings, causing
power loss.

𝑄=𝜔𝐿𝑅Q= RωL​.
• Q Factor: Quality factor, indicating the efficiency of the inductor, calculated as

• Core Material: Material of the inductor core, affecting its performance and
application.
• Ferrite Core: High-frequency applications.
• Iron Core: Power applications.
• Air Core: High linearity and low power applications.
DC Power Supply
• Definition: A DC (Direct Current) power supply provides a
constant and unidirectional voltage or current.
• Components of a DC Power Supply:
• Transformer: Steps up or steps down the input AC voltage to the
required level.
• Rectifier: Converts AC voltage to pulsating DC voltage using diodes.
• Filter: Smooth the pulsating DC voltage using capacitors and
inductors to reduce ripples.
• Voltage Regulator: Provides a stable DC output voltage despite
variations in input voltage and load conditions.
• Applications: Used in battery chargers, electronic devices,
and circuits that require a stable DC voltage.
Block Diagram of a DC Power
Supply
AC Power Supply
• Definition: An AC (Alternating Current) power supply provides a
voltage or current that alternates in polarity and magnitude periodically.
• Types of AC Power Supplies:
• Unregulated AC Power Supply: Provides an AC voltage that may vary with
load changes and input voltage fluctuations.
• Regulated AC Power Supply: Provides a stable and constant AC voltage
irrespective of load changes and input voltage fluctuations.
• Components of an AC Power Supply:
• Transformer: Steps up or steps down the input AC voltage to the required
level.
• Regulator: Maintains a stable AC output voltage using various techniques,
such as ferroresonant regulation.
• Applications: Used in applications where varying voltage is needed,
such as in transformers and motor controllers.
Comparison of DC and AC Power
Supplies
• Output Type:
• DC Power Supply: Provides a constant and unidirectional voltage or current.
• AC Power Supply: Provides an alternating voltage or current.
• Applications:
• DC Power Supply: Suitable for electronic circuits, battery charging, and
devices that require stable DC voltage.
• AC Power Supply: Suitable for applications requiring variable voltage,
transformers, and motor controllers.
• Complexity:
• DC Power Supply: Generally more complex due to the need for rectification
and regulation components.
• AC Power Supply: Less complex in design but requires careful regulation for
stable output.
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