ASAP Parts Online Blog

The electrical system is a complex network of wires and devices that plays a vital role in every aircraft. Without an electrical system, a modern aircraft would be limited in its capabilities and functionalities.  The electrical system is responsible for the operations of lights and other vital systems, including GPS, communication systems, and all the functional features of avionics systems. Additionally, electrical systems also support mundane processes such as engine ignition and the functionality of the auxiliary fuel pump.

Relays are a common form of electrically operated switch capable of using single or multiple control signals to manage circuits through making and breaking contacts. While many types of relays consist of various moving parts that help facilitate operations, solid state relays, in particular, are a more specialized switching device that can switch between on and off states with the use of external voltage supplies to its control terminals. With their lack of moving components, solid state relays exhibit much longer service lives, making them a fairly reliable option for many applications. To help you decide whether or not a solid state relay is the right fit for your needs, we will discuss their functionality and design in more detail.

The global aerospace supply chain is a highly structured, multi-tiered global system that supports the needs of both civilian and military aviation sectors. With millions of parts involved in the manufacturing of aircraft and their various related systems, a clearly defined set of tiers that organizes types of entities is essential for operational efficiency and technological advancement. This blog will break down the three main tiers of the aerospace supply chain and explain how each contributes to the industry, so be sure to read on if you would like to learn more.

While computer hardware and electronic parts have continuously been improved to reach new heights of power and compact construction, they still require proper heat management to prevent the chance of facing damage during operations. While a cooling fan may be beneficial for creating air flow, there are other devices that may be used to more efficiently mitigate thermal buildup. These devices are heat sinks, those of which are beneficial for the cooling of quick-heating devices and centralized points of heat.

Shrinking in size throughout the decades to accommodate various products and machinery, many electronics now pack more capabilities while in the form of a smaller package. Packing just as much punch as compared to older, larger model electronic equipment, parts like resistors have become discrete and serve as the backbone to many circuits. As two-terminal electrical components that impose an electrical resistive force, resistors are designed to be a part of a circuit assembly as monitoring tools. Used to adjust signal levels, current flow, divide voltages, bias active elements, terminate transmission lines, and a plethora of other helpful tasks, resistors are ubiquitous in electronics and necessary for safely affecting current.

Sensors are common to a number of applications, coming in the form of devices, machines, modules, or subsystems that are capable of detecting a change or event that occurs in a specific environment. With the information that they garner, sensors then relay data to electronics for the means of carrying out a process, displaying a value, etc. Sensors can come in numerous forms, ranging from devices that detect the presence of an individual for opening a door to thermistors that measure temperature. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of common sensors, their applications, and suppliers, allowing you to find the best fit for your particular needs.

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.

Electronic devices have consistently advanced over the years with new capabilities and increased efficiency, all made possible through the various electrical components that make them up. There are numerous electrical components that serve as basic building blocks for circuits, and each has different functionalities that come together to make the device’s operations possible. Whether the electronic is a simple calculator or an advanced personal computer system, many devices will share much of the same components for their electrical circuits. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of the most common electrical components that are found in various electronics and projects.

An opto-isolator is an electrical component that may also be referred to as an otpo-coupler or photocoupler. Regardless of name, such components are used to transfer electrical signals between two isolated circuits with light as the medium. As semiconductor devices, the transfer of signals is achieved through the use of a short optical path or link that is electrically isolated. Photocouplers or opto-couplers regularly come in the form of a single package, and they are no larger than a standard integrated circuit. As a common component for numerous circuits that may assist solid state relays, optical encoders, and other electronic components, understanding the functionality and use of opto-isolators, opto-couplers, and photocouplers can be beneficial.