1.5 Electronic Components

Electronic components are the individual elements used to build electronic circuits. They are broadly classified based on whether they require an external power source to operate and whether they can amplify or control electrical signals.

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS HAS TWO CLASSIFICATION

1.5.1 PASSIVE COMPONENTS

Passive components cannot amplify or generate electrical signals — they only consume, store, or dissipate energy. They don’t need an external power source to function.

Passive components are electronic components that do not normally provide power gain or amplify an electrical signal. They mainly consume, store, or transfer electrical energy.

Key traits:

• Cannot add power/gain to a signal
• Do not require external power to operate
• Response is linear (mostly) and predictable

1.5.2 ACTIVE COMPONENTS

Active components are devices that can introduce energy into a circuit or control the flow of electricity using an external signal. They can amplify weak signals, switch electronic states, and perform complex processing operations.

Active components can control the flow of current and are capable of adding energy/gain to a circuit — they require an external power source to operate.

Key traits:

• Can amplify signals or power
• Require an external energy source (DC supply) to operate
• Can control current flow direction/magnitude