Active components are electronic components that require a power source to operate and are used to control or modify the flow of electrical signals and energy in a circuit. Examples are transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.
Active components are the building blocks of most electronic circuits, and they play a crucial role in modern electronics, from consumer devices to advanced communication systems.
Features of Active Components
- Amplification
- Switching
- Voltage Regulation
- Signal Processing
- Power Conversion
- Integration
Working of Active Components
The working of active components is based on the flow of electric charges through the component, which is controlled by the voltage and current applied to the component. The exact working of each component depends on its specific design and the application for which it is used. Here are some general principles:
Transistors: Transistors work by controlling the flow of current through the component using a small input voltage. The input voltage controls the current flowing through the transistor, which can then be used to control larger voltages and currents in a circuit.
Diodes: Diodes allow current to flow in only one direction, and are used to rectify AC signals into DC signals, or to protect circuits from voltage spikes.
Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps): Op-Amps work by amplifying the difference between two input voltages, making them useful for signal processing and amplification.
Integrated Circuits (ICs): The working of an IC is determined by the arrangement and configuration of these components, and can perform various functions, such as signal processing and data storage.
Applications
- Consumer Electronics
- Communication Systems
- Automotive Electronics
- Medical Devices
- Aerospace and Defense
- Industrial Control