Create the electronic circuit for your amplifier, radio receiver, oscillator or more by taking advantage of the many electronic components industry information sources available. Find out what's new in electronic component industry research. Discover the latest electronic components industry technology.

Whether you are searching your electronic component reference materials to find a single part, or you are looking for complex groups as integrated circuits, take advantage of the many search engines, magazines and distributor listings to help you locate what you need.

To make the most of the electronic components industry information resources available to you:

1. Begin with general electronic component reference materials and industry background information.

2. Move on to the most up-to-date electronic component industry research information through trade magazines and newsletters.

3. Round out your electronic components reference search by speaking to distributor specialists in the field.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with basic electronic component reference materials

Conduct your electronic component industry research by familiarizing yourself with the industry and electronic parts.

I recommend: Find a wide variety of component introductory information from Lazar's Power Electronics Corner. Use the electronic engineer component search from Electronic Engineers Master. Narrow your search down by region to run a search on electrobase.com. There you search through the products of thousands of manufacturers. Register to use Part Miner. There you can find a large database of technical electronic component information, electronic component reference material as well as electronic parts industry information.

Broaden your electronic component industry research

Stay informed as to the latest information in the electronic components industry by reading the latest electronic components publications.

I recommend: Sign up for a subscription to the monthly Global Sources Electronic Components magazine. Check out a free digital or print edition of ECN magazine. Find the latest component and technology news from Electronic Products magazine. Look into a free subscription to PKG magazine as well.

Find electronic component reference materials and more from electronics vendors and distributors

Expand your electronic components industry knowledge by speaking to one of the many vendors, retailers or distributors available.

I recommend: View all of the products from Mouser Electronics. Find out how to become a power user, find specials and sign up for the catalog from Jameco. Check out the new products from the distributor Newark. Locate obsolete and hard to find pieces from USBid. There you can purchase hard to find items, or you can sell your surplus inventory to them as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You might also consider joining an engineering forum, group or affiliation to find out additional electronic component reference materials. Sometimes that elusive question can only be answered by another professional in your shoes. Use their help in troubleshooting, and someday you might be the person on the receiving end of the questions.