Common Circuit Board Components

by Warren C. Electronics Engineer

Printed circuit boards are found in many of the devices we use at home. Unfortunately, very few people understand the technology behind them. As a result, it is important that we understand what electronic components are and what they do. This is critical for anyone interested in knowing how PCBs work and their application. This post looks at some of the key components used to make PCBs.

Resistor

It is one of the most critical components of PCBs. It is used to control voltage and the current flowing through a circuit. We use a resistor to control the voltages and the currents in a circuit. If connected in series with a load, it can be used to control the current flowing through the circuit and reduces the chances of the load burning out.

common circuit board components1.png

Capacitor

It behaves like a battery which can be used to store charges and introduce some time delay in the circuit. The component is mostly used to stabilize the voltage supplied to a circuit. Capacitors can be divided into polarized and non-polarized capacitors

Common Circuit Board Components2.png

Light Emitting Diode (LED)

It is a component that gives light and can, therefore, be used to give a visual feedback from a circuit. It can be used to make cool light show circuit. Diodes allow current to flow in one direction.

Transistors

It acts like a switch that is controlled by an electrical signal. Transistors can be used in amplifiers since they amplify charges.

Inductor

It is a coil of wire that is used as in filters. The work of an inductor is to stop change of current and store charges.

Common Circuit Board Components3.png

An integrated circuit

It consists of an electrical circuit which has been shrunk to fit on a chip. It could be an amplifier, a microprocessor or a USB to a serial converter.