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Electronic Components Cheat Sheet

A quick reference guide to common electronic components, their symbols, functions, and basic parameters. This cheat sheet provides a concise overview for electronics enthusiasts, students, and professionals.

Basic Passive Components

Resistors

Symbol:

[Image of Resistor Symbol]

Function:

Limits current flow; provides a voltage drop.

Units:

Ohms (Ω)

Types:

Fixed, Variable (Potentiometer, Trimmer), Thermistor, Photoresistor.

Color Code:

Bands indicate resistance value and tolerance.

Power Rating:

Specifies the maximum power the resistor can dissipate without damage (e.g., 1/4W, 1/2W, 1W).

Capacitors

Symbol:

[Image of Capacitor Symbol]

Function:

Stores electrical energy in an electric field; blocks DC, passes AC.

Units:

Farads (F)

Types:

Ceramic, Electrolytic, Tantalum, Film, Variable.

Voltage Rating:

Maximum voltage that can be applied without damage.

Tolerance:

Indicates the acceptable variation from the stated capacitance value.

Inductors

Symbol:

[Image of Inductor Symbol]

Function:

Stores energy in a magnetic field; blocks AC, passes DC.

Units:

Henries (H)

Types:

Air-core, Iron-core, Ferrite-core, Variable.

Current Rating:

Maximum current that can be passed without saturation or damage.

Self-Resonance Frequency (SRF):

The frequency at which the inductor behaves as a resonant circuit.

Diodes and Transistors

Diodes

Symbol:

[Image of Diode Symbol]

Function:

Allows current flow in one direction only.

Types:

Rectifier, Zener, LED, Schottky, Signal.

Forward Voltage (Vf):

Voltage drop across the diode when conducting.

Reverse Breakdown Voltage (Vr):

Maximum reverse voltage the diode can withstand.

Maximum Forward Current (If):

Maximum current that can flow through the diode in the forward direction.

Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs)

Symbol:

[Image of NPN and PNP BJT Symbols]

Function:

Current-controlled current source; used for amplification and switching.

Types:

NPN, PNP.

Current Gain (hFE or β):

Amplification factor (collector current / base current).

Collector-Emitter Voltage (VCE):

Voltage between collector and emitter terminals.

Base-Emitter Voltage (VBE):

Voltage between base and emitter terminals.

Field-Effect Transistors (FETs)

Symbol:

[Image of JFET and MOSFET Symbols]

Function:

Voltage-controlled current source; used for amplification and switching.

Types:

JFET (N-channel, P-channel), MOSFET (N-channel, P-channel, Enhancement, Depletion).

Gate-Source Voltage (VGS):

Voltage between gate and source terminals.

Drain-Source Voltage (VDS):

Voltage between drain and source terminals.

Drain Current (ID):

Current flowing through the drain terminal.

Integrated Circuits (ICs)

Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps)

Symbol:

[Image of Op-Amp Symbol]

Function:

Amplifies the difference between two input voltages.

Key Parameters:

Open-loop gain, bandwidth, slew rate, input bias current, input offset voltage.

Common Configurations:

Inverting amplifier, non-inverting amplifier, voltage follower, summing amplifier, difference amplifier.

Supply Voltage:

Voltage range within which the op-amp operates correctly.

Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR):

Measure of the op-amp’s ability to reject common-mode signals.

Logic Gates

Types:

AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR.

Function:

Performs Boolean logic operations.

Truth Table:

Defines the output for all possible input combinations.

Voltage Levels:

High (1) and Low (0) voltage levels representing logical states.

Fan-out:

Number of similar gates that the output of a gate can drive.

Propagation Delay:

Time delay between the change of input and the corresponding change in output.

Microcontrollers

Function:

Small computer on a single IC, used to control electronic devices.

Key Components:

CPU, memory (RAM, ROM, Flash), I/O ports, timers, ADC, DAC, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C).

Programming Languages:

C, C++, Assembly, MicroPython.

Clock Speed:

Frequency at which the microcontroller operates (MHz).

Memory Size:

Amount of RAM and Flash memory available.

Operating Voltage:

Voltage required for the microcontroller to function properly.

Other Essential Components

Crystals and Oscillators

Function:

Provides a stable clock signal for timing circuits.

Types:

Crystal oscillators, ceramic resonators, RC oscillators.

Frequency:

Operating frequency of the oscillator (MHz, kHz).

Stability:

Measure of how constant the frequency remains over time and temperature.

Load Capacitance:

Capacitance required for the crystal to oscillate at its specified frequency.

Tolerance:

Acceptable variation from the stated frequency.

Switches

Function:

Controls the flow of current in a circuit by opening or closing a connection.

Types:

SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT, Pushbutton, Toggle, DIP.

Contact Rating:

Maximum voltage and current the switch contacts can handle.

Actuation Force:

Force required to operate the switch.

Contact Resistance:

Resistance across the switch contacts when closed.

Lifespan:

Number of switching cycles the switch can perform before failure.

Connectors

Function:

Provides a detachable connection between two electronic circuits or devices.

Types:

Headers, Terminals, USB, HDMI, Ethernet, Audio Jacks, Power Connectors.

Pin Count:

Number of individual connections the connector provides.

Current Rating:

Maximum current that can flow through each pin.

Voltage Rating:

Maximum voltage that can be applied between pins.

Mounting Style:

Through-hole, Surface Mount (SMT), Panel Mount.
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