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14 Basic Electrical Components & Their Functions
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The Basics of Electrical Components
Are you interested in learning everything about electricity? Well, you should start by
understanding the basic components that make up any electrical design and how they
work. Think about how the great pyramids of Egypt were built using just blocks of rock.
The rocks themselves were nothing. But they formed such grand structures when
combined with a careful design!
You need to know about the essential electrical components and how they work together to
create incredible modern electrical systems. 14 Basic Electrical Components are:
1. Resistors
2. Capacitors
3. Light Emitting Diode (LED)
4. Transistors
5. Inductors
6. Integrated Circuit (IC)
7. Circuit Breaker
8. Fuse
9. Switch
10. Transformer
11. Electrical Wires & Power Cables
12. Battery
13. Relay
14. Motor
Resistors
The very first component that you should know about is the resistor. It is pretty easy to assume
that a resistor, as the name suggests, will resist electricity that flows through it, and you would be
correct in that assumption too! Any situation that demands the flow of current to be controlled
at the desired level will require a resistor.
Here are two scenarios that better explain what a resistor does. In both cases, we will be turning
on a LED:
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Capacitors
If a resistor is like a cushion that is used to control the flow of electricity, then capacitors are like
small rechargeable batteries that store small amounts of charge in them. Capacitors do two
things at the same time:
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Light Emitting Diode (LED)
LEDs were briefly mentioned while describing “Resistors.” LEDs are just like bulbs, except that
they are extremely reliable. You can find them on practically every appliance in your home that
features some kind of indicator light. A typical LED bulb can last decades with no sign of dying.
Since they are so reliable, they are used to indicate the state of current at any point in a circuit.
An important task like checking the output voltage or current on a circuit becomes simpler with
these light-based indicators.
Transistors
The resistors, capacitors, and LEDs are the simple stuff in electrical circuits. Now, let us talk
about the first complicated component – the transistor. For instance, transistors are used to
build complex electrical systems, such as amplifiers. A simple way to understand transistors is to
think of a switch. A basic switch has an “on” and an “off” state. These are controlled by the
position of the switch, which is changed manually.
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Inductors
Inductors are just as complicated as transistors. Like transistors, inductors are used to build
complex electrical systems. Unlike transistors, though, inductors are essentially coils of wire that
are wound around other components. They are used as filters.
Of all the electrical components mentioned on this page, you will most likely not use inductors
for basic circuit designs. Nonetheless, depending on the particular project you are working on,
inductors might appear in the circuit’s design.
Integrated Circuit (IC)
Integrated circuits are electrical components that combine or integrate numerous electrical
components, including the previously mentioned ones. One IC can act like a transistor, while
another IC can act like a resistor.
An IC is like a ready-made chip that you can use to complete the project you want to build
without having to use lots of single transistors or capacitors. As you upgrade from using basic
components to integrated circuits, you will find that it is almost always easier to use ICs for your
entire project than using individual components.
Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker is a vital mechanical switching device that protects your electrical equipment
from short circuit and power surges. It automatically detects a faulty condition and interrupts
the harmful current flow from reaching the sockets. Every circuit breaker has 2 coils; a closing
coil that closes the circuit and a tripping coil to trip the circuit.
There are 2 types of contacts in a circuit breaker. One is a moving connection that uses stored
energies to make and break the circuit. Another one is fixed contact, comprising a spring that
holds the moving contact after closing.
Fuse
Fuse is a friend of the circuit breaker as it helps the breaker in protecting the electric equipment
from power overload. Fuse is the wire that gets heated up and damaged when the circuit comes
in contact with a power surge. In this way, the current stops flowing.
It comes in different varieties to sustain the different amounts of currents. The main
components of a standard fuse are metal-fuse elements, support body, contacts, and connection.
The metal-fuse elements can be made from alloy, copper, aluminum, zinc, silver, etc.
Switch
Yes! We all know what a switch is! Let’s get to its technical definition. The primary purposes of a
switch as a device are to break the current, interrupt the current, and supply current from one
conductor to another. The “On and off” mechanism is used to perform this task. There are 4 main
classifications of a switch:-
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Transformer
It is an electric device that changes the levels of AC current. It consists of 2 coils of wire
connected by an iron core. The transformer uses mutual induction of two windings to convert
the electric energy from one circuit to another. It also converts the power between circuits with
different voltage levels without altering the frequency.
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Electrical Wires & Power Cables
It’s almost impossible to make an electrical structure without electrical wires and cables.
Electrical wires do the work of connecting a device to the power source through cables. You
need wires to install every device, be it switches, sockets, LEDs, or anything else.
When multiple electrical wires are bundled or run side by side for transmission and distribution
of electrical current, it is known as an electrical power cable. When you can’t use overhead lines,
electrical cables come in handy to transmit high voltage current. A cable has 3 primary
components – conductor, sheath, and dielectric.
Battery
Batteries act as a source of electric power through the electrochemical cells. Each cell is consists
of an anode (-), cathode (+), and electrolyte. It works on the principle of electrochemical reaction
as the cells create the flow of electrons through a chemical reaction. In layman’s terms, batteries
are portable containers that store electrical potential energy.
If it were not for batteries, your Xbox controller and mobile phones would’ve been tied to a
charger all day. There are two types of cells in a battery – primary rechargeable cells and
secondary non-rechargeable cells.
Relay
Earlier relays were used as amplifiers in the long-distance telegraph circuits. Relay evolved to
solve more purposes in the technology sector and telephone exchange. They are
electromechanical switches that use low-power signals to control the circuit.
Its essential components are an armature, a spring, an electromagnet, and a series of electrical
contacts. The circuits inside a relay use magnetic connections instead of electric ones.
Motor
Motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. It comprises a stator, conduit box, eye
bolt, rotor, enclosure, and bearings. Motors are more efficient in energy supply than their
pneumatic and hydraulic counterparts. Therefore it is the most common part amongst all the
electrical machinery.
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Parting Words!
This article provides you with an overview of the fundamental electrical components. This basic
introduction will help you when you will begin work with electrical systems. A straightforward
plan would be to start with capacitors and resistors, moving up to using ICs, then fitting batteries
and motors. This plan will work for all types of complex and advanced projects. When you are
ready, pick up a starter kit and go crazy with it!
D&F Liquidators
D&F Liquidators has been serving the electrical construction materials needs for
more than 30 years. It is an international clearinghouse, with 180,000 square
facility located in Hayward, California. It keeps an extensive inventory of electrical
connectors, conduit fitting, circuit breakers, junction boxes, wire cable, safety
switches etc. It procures its electrical materials supplies from top-notch companies across the globe.
The Company also keeps an extensive inventory of electrical explosion proof products and modern
electrical lighting solutions. As it buys materials in bulk, D&F is in a unique position to offer a
competitive pricing structure. Besides, it is able to meet the most discerning demands and ship material
on the same day.
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