Classification of Electronics Components

Electronics Components

Definition: The components used in designing or assembling of an electronic circuit are called electronic components. 

Every circuit usually contains multiple electronic components such as diodes, resistors, capacitors, transistors etc.

Active components:

i.     The electronic components, which by themselves are capable of amplifying or processing an electrical signal are called active components.

ii.     These components conduct the current only in one direction and therefore are known as unilateral/unidirectional devices. e.g.  Electronic tubes and semiconductor devices such as diodes, transistors, FETs, UJTs etc. 

Passive components:

i.           The electronic components, which by themselves are not capable of amplifying or processing an electrical signal are called passive components.

i.           These components conduct current in both the directions hence are known as bilateral/ bidirectional devices.  e.g.  Resistors, capacitors, inductors. 

Comparison between passive and active components:

Parasitic components:

i.              The components do not exist physically, but are due to electrodes or wirings are called parasitic components. 

ii.      Conceptually, they are present in the device and in the electronic circuits.  iii. These components play an important role when circuit is operated at high frequency. e.g.  Inter electrode capacitance, junction capacitance, stray capacitance, charge storage capacitance, diffusion capacitance etc.