Electrical components

Transistor

A transistor is component that is commonly used in operational amplifiers and to make logic gates.

A transistor works much like a switch. It has three leads: collector, emitter, and base. The collector is the positive lead, and the emitter is the negative lead. The base is what switches the transistor on and off. When the base receives a current, the transistor allows the current to flow between the collector and receiver. When the base has no current, the transistor will not allow current to flow.

Watch this quick video for a visual demonstration and explanation or this video for a mildly longer explanation.

Diode

Diodes are a component that can be used in many ways depending on what variant of diode is used. The most common use of a diode is to allow current to flow in one direction through it, but not through the other.

Capacitor

A capacitor is an electric component that stores charge. It works a lot like a mini-battery, except it doesn't start with any charge. Upon completion of a circuit, the capacitor will begin to store charge. The voltage rating of a capacitor is the maximum voltage it can take in. The voltage the capacitor stores is the same as whatever voltage is coming in.

Example: If you have a capacitor rated for 24v, trying to give it a current that is pushed by more than 24v will break the component. If you feed the capacitor a 12v current, the capacitor will store and release charge at 12v.

The amount of charge a capacitor can hold is measured with the Farad(F) unit. A 1F capacitor charged with 1 Coulomb of energy has 1v.