Terminology
Through Hole
Surface Mount
Component Value
Miscellaneous
100
What is an active component?
This can amplify or interpret a signal. Diodes, transistors and integrated circuits are an example of this.
100
What is a variable capacitor?
I can change capacitance by turning a screw that causes the plates to move closer or farther apart.
100
What is a tantalum capacitor?
I am polarized with inward formed L - type leads that almost touch the body of the component. Inside the metal plates store and discharge electricity.
100
What is a axial resistor value?
I often have 4 or 5 color bands.
100
What is electricity?
I am measured in volts, current, or amps.
200
What is a passive component?
This component cannot change an electrical signal except to reduce it in size or delay it. This includes resistors, capacitors and inductors.
200
What is a diode?
I can only allow current to flow in one direction like a one way street. I can convert alternating current to direct current.
200
What is a MELF?
I am a leadless component without metallized terminals at both ends of a cylindrical body.
200
What is color bands or number codes?
I specify value and tolerance.
200
What is a electronic assembly?
I am created by attaching and soldering the components by hand or by machine.
300
What is pitch?
The distance between the center or one lead to the center of the next.
300
What is a light emitting diode (LED)?
I emit light and typically have radial leads. My polarity can be indicated by a short lead which is referred to as the cathode lead.
300
What is a SOIC / SOP?
My family is made up of a variety of dual in-line (leaded on 2 sides) rectangular body sizes, several lead pitches and lead styles.
300
What is a band?
I read resistors using 4, 5, or 6.
300
What is a bill of material (BOM)?
I come with the assembly drawing and parts list and list all of the components by part number, quantity, and reference designators.
400
What is polarity?
My positive lead is called the anode and my negative lead is called the cathode.
400
What is a voltage regulator?
I keep output voltage constant during variations of the output load or the input voltage.
400
What is a Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC)?
My family has J-bend type leads and has both square and rectangular configurations. I can be put into sockets or soldered directly to a circuit board.
400
What is a crystal oscillator?
My value is measured in megahertz or kilohertz.
400
What is the component legend?
I identify the component to be placed in the holes or onto the lands next to each designation.
500
What is orientation?
My marks or symbols on a component's body include a notch, dimple, wedge, stripe or number.
500
What is a transistor?
I can amplify, oscillate and provide switching action on electrical signals.
500
What is a quad flat pack (QFP)?
I have high lead counts than a PLCC and have finer pitches from a high of 1.00 mm to a low of 0.40 mm.
500
What is a Capacitor?
My value is is microfarads, nanofarads, or orpicofarads.
500
What is a transformer?
I consist of primary and secondary coils wound on a common core of feromagnetic material.
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