Electronic Components Key Terms

Electronic components form the backbone of our modern world, from computers to power grids

Electronic hardware and parts are in games, computers, cars, cell phone towers, satellites, earth stations and everything in-between. Start out by learning a few electronic components key terms and you will understand better how things work.

Electronic parts consist of resistors, transistors, capacitors, semiconductors, printed circuit boards (PCBs), electron tubes and solid-state devices that work together to control or amplify current or voltages. Consider the following points when beginning your electronics parts education:

1. Learn about electronic components with a few basic key terms.

2. Find out what specific electronic parts like semiconductors do.

3. See what components make a circuit board and how to recognize a PCB.

 

Start with a few basic electric parts key terms and explanations to learn about electronics

Whether you're dealing with resistors, transistors, amplifiers or another electronic part it's helpful to have a basic knowledge, recognize parts and their use. Start here with a broad overview of names and components like semiconductors and capacitors used to amplify and control voltage and current.
Try: Babylon explains the definition of "electronic component" with all kinds of highlighted deep links of specific key terms like "electric circuit," "radio receiver," "amplifier" and "oscillator." Look at definitions and explanations of key terms for electronic components at Babylon. There's a short but Answers.com defines electronic components with highlighted key term links that allow you to dig deeper in your research.

Delve deeper into electronic component key terms with semiconductors, transistors and thyresistors

Some terms in electronics are heard today more than others. Semiconductor is one such term, and transistors and a newer term thyresistor. Probably because these are computer hardware components and they helped revolutionize computers by making everything much smaller.
Try: Read about semiconductors and transistors at Webopedia. Learn about thyresistor at Bitpipe, a type of semiconductor. Thyresistors use three electrodes--the gate, cathode and anode. Components like the thyresistor have made possible much of the new technology we see on the market today.

Learn about other specific electronic hardware terms like resistors, transistors and PCBs

If you want to learn more about electronics components key terms, visit local electronic component vendors and learn more. Take one of your electronic gadgets or toys apart and see how it works.
Try: Learn about basic transistor circuits using resistor and transistor electronic components at play-hookey.com. The detailed and thorough glossary at Triangle Circuits covers specific key terms for PCBs.

 

• Go to electronic parts vendors and hobbyists sites to find out electronic components work. Play around with low voltage wires and LEDs and see what you can make, create or light up.

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