ASAP Parts Online Blog

From the LED lights that provide visibility to those that are used for television screens and signs, such electronic parts can cater to many applications that we regularly use or rely on in daily life. While small in size, a single LED can produce a large amount of light with great efficiency. As LEDs can come in a variety of forms to accommodate different requirements and applications, understanding the differences between certain LED light types can be useful when searching for lighting solutions.

RF Connectors (Radio Frequency), also known as coax connectors, are used to transmit radio frequency signals by connecting transmission lines to various applications. RF connectors are primarily used with coaxial cables in devices such as television receivers, two-way radios, antenna WiFi devices, and various industrial & scientific measuring devices. In this blog, we will take a look at the most common types of RF connectors: BNC, SMA, SMB, N-type, and TNC.

For electronics to carry out the various procedures that they are intended to be capable of, they often rely on a number of electromechanical components to govern voltages and resistance. With components known as resistors, a circuit may have its current flow reduced, signal levels adjusted, voltages divided, transmission lines terminated, and more. When there is a need for varying voltage values and resistances, components known as variable resistors and potentiometers are used.

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.