Terminology » Components » Essential Electronic Terminology: A Quick Reference Guide

Essential Electronic Terminology: A Quick Reference Guide

electronic component electronic transistor capacitor inductor

This page describes terms related to the Electronics domain, covering components and concepts like BJT, FET, Diac, Triac, JUGFET, MOSFET, electrolytic capacitor, inductor, capacitor, transducer, microphone, thermistor, relay, reed switch, OP-AMP, transformer, battery, SCR, variable resistor, and variable capacitor.

Electronic TermsBasic descriptionRF Wireless World Reference
BJTStands for Bipolar Junction Transistor. A current-controlled device with three terminals: emitter, base, and collector.BJT
FETStands for Field Effect Transistor. A voltage-controlled device with three terminals: Source, Gate, and Drain.FET
DiacMade of 2 zener diodes interconnected back to back.Diac
TriacMade of two SCRs connected in parallel and in opposite direction.Triac
JUGFETFull form is Junction Gate FET.JUGFET
MOSFETFull form is Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET.MOSFET
Electrolytic capacitorThe device used to store charge in its metal body with polarity.Electrolytic Capacitor
CapacitorThe device used to store charge. There are many types of capacitors depending upon the application.Capacitor basics
InductorA coil of wire with or without a core. When current is passed through it, a magnetic field is generated. It has reactance which equals 2pif*L. At higher frequencies, impedance will be higher, blocking those frequencies. DC or low frequencies will pass easily due to lower impedance.Inductor basics
TransducerThe device which converts one form of signal to another. Examples: microphone, speaker, sensors, etc.Transducer
MicrophoneA type of transducer that converts an acoustic signal into an electrical signal.Microphone types and basics
ThermistorThe device whose resistance changes with temperature.Thermistor
RelayA type of switch operated by a magnet. It can be turned on or off by passing current through it.Relay
Reed SwitchAlso a type of switch used for fast switching applications, often in telephone line exchanges.Reed Switch
BatteryThe device used to provide DC power. Commonly used to power mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc.Battery
SCRStands for Silicon Controlled Rectifier.SCR
Op-AmpOperational amplifier (OP-AMP) is used in many applications due to its high gain, high input, and low output impedances.OP-AMP
TransformerConverts AC voltage from one value to another. This is achieved with two coils having different numbers of turns, referred to as primary and secondary coils.Transformer basics and types
ResistorThe device which dissipates power when current is passed through it. It provides resistance to the flow of current and hence limits the current.Resistor basics
Variable resistorA resistor whose resistance value can be changed manually or through software.Variable resistor
Variable capacitorA capacitor whose capacitance value can be changed.Variable capacitor