The term inductor is used here to describe a coil that has the purpose of creating self- inductance in an electronic circuit, often while passing alternating current in combination with resistors and/or capacitors. A choke is a form of inductor. By comparison, the electromagnet entry in this encyclopedia describes a coil containing a center component […]
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Electronic Components
voltage regulator What It Does,How It Works,Variants,Values,How to Use it and What Can Go Wrong
Correctly known as a linear voltage regulator to distinguish it from a switching regulator or DC-DC converter. However, the full term is not generally used, and “voltage regulator” is normally understood to mean a linear voltage regulator. What It Does A linear voltage regulator provides a tightly con trolled DC output, which it derives from […]
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DC-AC inverter What It Does,How It Works,Variants,Values,How to Use it,What Can Go Wrong
A power inverter must not be confused with a logic inverter, which functions as a digital component in logic circuits to invert the state of a low-voltage DC input from high to low or low to high. Logic inverters are discussed in Volume 2. What It Does A power inverter is included here as counter […]
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DC-DC converter What It Does,How It Works,Variants,Values,How to Use it,What Can Go Wrong
Often referred to as a switching regulator, and sometimes as a switcher, not to be confused with a switching power supply. What It Does A DC-DC converter, often referred to simply as a converter, receives a DC voltage as its input and converts it to a regulated DC voltage as its out put. The output […]
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capacitor What It Does,How It Works,Variants,Values,How to Use it,What Can Go Wrong
Quite often referred to as a cap. Formerly known (primarily in the United Kingdom) as a condenser, but that term has become obsolete. What It Does A capacitor connected across a DC power source will accumulate a charge, which then persists after the source is disconnected. In this way, the capacitor stores (and can then […]
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AC-AC transformer What It Does,How It Works,Variants,Values,How to Use it,What Can Go Wrong
What It Does A transformer requires an input of alternating current (AC). It transforms the input voltage to one or more output voltages that can be higher or lower. Transformers range in size from tiny impedance- matching units in audio equipment such as microphones, to multi-ton behemoths that supply high voltage through the national power […]
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AC-DC power supply What It Does,How It Works,Variants,Values,How to Use it,What Can Go Wrong
Also known as an AC adapter. When packaged as a palm-sized plastic package that plugs directly into a power outlet, it is occasionally known colloquially as a wall-wart. What It Does An AC-DC power supply converts alternating cur rent (AC) into the direct current (DC) that most electronic devices require, usually at a lower volt […]
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resistor What It Does,How It Works ,Variants,Values,How to Use it and What Can Go Wrong
What It Does A resistor is one of the most fundamental components in electronics. Its purpose is to impede a flow of current and impose a voltage reduction. It consists of two wires or conductors attached at opposite ends or sides of a relatively poor electrical conductor, the resistance of which is measured in ohms, […]
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variable capacitor What It Does,How It Works,Variants,Values,How to Use it,What Can Go Wrong
Formerly known (primarily in the United Kingdom) as a variable condenser. The term is now obsolete. What It Does A variable capacitor allows adjustment of capacitance in much the same way that a potentiometer allows adjustment of resistance. Large variable capacitors were developed primarily to tune radio receivers, in which they were known as tuning […]
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potentiometer What It Does,How It Works,Variants,Values,How to Use it,What Can Go Wrong
Also known as a variable resistor; may be substituted for a rheostat. What It Does When a voltage is applied across a potentiometer, it can deliver a variable fraction of that volt age. It is often used to adjust sensitivity, balance, input, or output, especially in audio equipment and sensors such as motion detectors. A […]
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