Components

-- this is a new better revised version --

Individual Components and their Uses

Note that components are sometimes characterized by their electrical characteristics ( resistor, capacitor... ) and sometimes by their use ( sensor ) and sometimes by other characteristics. This can mean that a component is listed twice. For example, a temperature sensing resistor is both a resistor and a sensor. We are listing in alphabetic order, but remember components may have various names.

Batteries

Power Up.

Capacitors

Store charge and energy, block dc, filter. In their simplest form passive components, but now some are IC using switched capacitors to synthesize other and variable values.

Connectors

Join parts.

demo board

Lots of people put a microprocessor and most of the other essential stuff on a tiny little demo board, easy to plug into your solderless breadboard (or your custom PCB) that has just a few more things that make your project special.

Enclosures

Cover up.

Other Integrated Circuits

Op Amps, Voltage Regulators, Drivers, Digitally Programmable Potentiometers, 555 Timers ... For motor drivers see Motors below. Lots of parts in a package to do something useful.

Optoelectronics

LEDs, photodiodes, optoisolators, LCDs, IR proximity detectors,...

Oscillator

Crystals, Ceramic Resonators, oscillators, ... Vibrate with excitement.

Other Passives

including Inductors and Transformers

Microcontrollers

Little Computers for your entertainment.

Resistors

and Potentiometers Resistance is not futile. In there simplest form passive components, but now some are IC using forming variable resistors and potentiometers.

Transistors, Diodes, etc.

Diodes, Transistors are described here. These guys are the basic semiconductors or solid state electronics. ( But not Light Emitting Diodes = LED or Photo Diodes which are listed under Optoelectronics. )

Sensors

Accelerometers, Gyroscopes, Temperature Sensors, Pressure Sensors, ... Find out what is going on.

Switches and Relays

Turn things on and off.

Motors

Make thing move. We include some circuits/chips for driving motors. Servos, steppers, and others.

Modules

GPS, Mobile Phone, RF Transceiver, Bluetooth Modules, ...

Popular Parts

So many parts to pick, but which ones? Why not pick a popular part, or a group of parts for areas of interest?

Where to Components Come From

Component Manufacturers

Links to homepages, phone numbers, contact info, ... There is often info under each component as well in the components sections above.

Free From Salvage

Dig in, to the free stuff, a list of links and a bunch of ideas on how to use your loot.

Free Samples

Free is nice.

PCB Manufacturers

contact info, PCB trace width/spacing capability, ...

Salvage Ideas

Unusual ideas for the fruits of your labor.

Suppliers

Good places to buy, numbers to call, people to talk to, ... Get your low cost motor controller boards & motor driver ICs

Fakes

Beware!

• Counterfit Index

How to Store Components

Component and Parts Storage

Data Sheets

You will want data sheets for you parts. Do not leave home, or start a project without them. Check:

• original manufacturer
• parts distributor
• http://www.datasheetcatalog.com/

Links

• Electronic component From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Basic Components Quite a few components and some info on use.
• Electronic Components