Regardless of whether you know it or not, one of the crucial factors that distinguish kinds of electronic components from one other is if they are active or passive. Although, tons of individuals are still unsure about the difference! On the off chance, if you also fall under the same category of individuals, there is nothing to feel embarrassed as we have got you covered.
Mentioned below is the difference between active and passive components. So, keep reading.
The Difference
Active components: These are crucial parts of a circuit that entirely depends on an external power source to manage or modify electric signals. For your better understanding, active components such as transistors and silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) utilize electricity to handle electricity.
Passive components: High power components such as resistors, transformers, and diodes do not consume external power source to function precisely. These high power components utilize some different properties to manage the electrical signal, as an outcome, they only need the current going via the connected circuit. Resistors hinder the flow of electrons without transferring more electricity into the system. The two precisely explained high power components examples are listed below.
1. Capacitors: A capacitor also called as condenser is a passive two-terminal electronic component that is utilized for storing energy electro-statically in an electric field. There are various forms of practical capacitors, yet each and every one still contain at least two electrical conductors that are separated by an insulator aka dielectric. The conductors can be in the form of thin films, sintered beads of metal, foils or conductive electrolyte. The non-conducting insulators are used to double the charge capacity of condenser. An insulator can be made of glass, ceramic, plastic film, air, vacuum, paper, mica, oxide layer etc. In plenty of electrical devices, capacitors/ condensers are widely used as parts of electrical circuits. Unlike a resistor, an optimal condenser does not squander energy. Rather than dissipating, a capacitor stores energy in the state of electrostatic field between its plates.
2. Resistors: A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that applies electrical intransigence as a circuit element. Resistors are generally used to lessen the current flow, and, at the same time, they are also used for lowering the voltage levels within circuits. In electronic circuits, there are utilized to restrict current flow, adjust signal levels, bias active elements, terminate transmission lines and the list is endless. High-power resistors that are capable of dissipating loads of watts of electrical power can also be used as part of motor controls, in power distribution systems, or as test loads for generators. In addition to this, resistors may comes with fixed resistances that only get changed with a cold temperature, time or operating voltage. Also, variable resistors can be used to adjust circuit elements.
So, these were some of the most imperative things that you should know. For any further clarification and information, please get in touch with us whenever you want.