ASAP Parts Online Blog

Resistors are common electronic components that are implemented in countless devices and systems, used for establishing electrical resistance within a circuit. Depending upon their type of resistor and application, such components may serve to reduce current flow, manage signal levels, bias active elements, divide voltages, and much more. Carbon composition resistors in particular are a common fixed resistor type, serving various devices and assemblies since the early 20th century. In this blog, we will discuss carbon composition resistors, ensuring that you have a well-developed understanding of their construction, functionalities, and applications.

An integrated circuit (IC) refers to an assembly of electronic circuits that are placed onto a single flat piece of semiconductor material. Commonly comprising a vast number of MOSFETs that are placed on a small chip, integrated circuits allow for more compact and less expensive electronics that operate with higher speeds as compared to similar devices that rely on discrete components. Coupled with reliable mass production capabilities for such devices, integrated circuits serve as a common building block for countless electronic equipment types, revolutionizing the world of electronics.

A thermistor, whose name comes from ‘thermal’ and ‘resistor,’ is a type of resistor whose resistance depends on temperature. For all intents and purposes, a thermistor is a resistance thermometer. They are made from metallic oxide formed into a bead, disk, or cylindrical shape enclosed in epoxy or glass. While they do not work well at extreme temperatures, thermistors are ideal for measuring temperatures at a certain point and are most precise when used within a limited range. The range in which a thermistor will work is dependent on the base resistance.

A potentiometer, sometimes called a pot or potmeter, is a three-terminal variable resistor wherein the resistance is manually varied to control the flow of electrical current. In essence, a potentiometer acts as an adjustable voltage divider. They are considered a passive electronic component and operate by altering the position of a sliding contact across a uniform resistance. In a potentiometer, the entire input voltage is applied across the entire length of the resistor, and the output voltage is determined by voltage drop between the fixed and sliding contacts.

From simple calculators to complex computer systems, we often rely on a great number of electronic systems to carry out our daily activities. Despite this, many may not realize the large number of parts and components that come together to make up the devices that we use. As one of the building blocks of electronics, integrated circuits are a component that may be found in almost every single piece of electronic equipment, vastly changing our capabilities of manufacturing such devices. In this blog, we will discuss in detail what integrated circuits are, how they function, and the various types that are used within electronics.

A relay is a type of switch controlled by a circuit. Essentially, relays send messages telling a machine to start. For example, when a car is started, the ignition only indirectly interacts with the car battery, because a relay is sending the signal that tells the car to start. Relays are necessary parts for many electrical devices because they require less power to be used than many of the devices they are connected to. Using a car battery as an example again, if the battery were connected directly to the car’s ignition, it would require a great deal of power and wiring to start the car. With a relay, a far smaller amount is needed, because it is only a mediator. In addition to saving energy, this is a much safer way of starting the car than having a great deal of wiring and electrical power.

Optoelectronics is a field that concerns itself with the study and use of electronic systems and devices that are capable of producing, governing, and detecting light. As a sub-field of photonics, optoelectronics encompasses light such as visible light, X-rays, ultraviolet, infrared, gamma rays, and more. As a technology, optoelectronic devices serve a wide variety of applications and are constantly expanding as a field of study in the modern era. In this blog, we will provide an overview of the various types of optoelectronics, as well as some various examples of devices belonging to them.

Power Entry Modules (PEM) are electromechanical components that are implemented within appliances and systems in order to integrate the appliance inlet with other components. In general, these components include switches, circuit breakers, fuse holders, voltage selectors, appliance outlets, and more. Power entry modules may be used to simplify the assembly process, or they may be used to benefit the product design.

Electromechanical systems that are systems and apparatuses that are used to transform electrical energy into mechanical movement, as well as the other way around. Typical examples of electromechanical systems are solenoids and electric motors, and they may be found in a variety of industries and applications to provide actuation or movement. Such systems may cater to a number of applications, providing for devices such as electromechanical panel controls or electromechanical switches. In general, there are four major types of electromechanical systems, and these include motors and gearboxes, DC generators, shape memory alloy actuators, and linear actuators.

Turbine engines are favored for the many advantages that they have over reciprocating engines, such as an increased aviation performance, less vibration, and better reliability. There are many different types of turbine engines in the aviation market. They are classified based on their compressor and on whether or not they have axial flow, centrifugal flow or a combination of both. They can also be classified based on the flow that the air takes through the engine and how that power is produced. There are only four ways in which this flow can happen and you can find out more about that by learning about the four different types of turbine engines, which are the turbojet, turboprop, turbofan and turboshaft.