An optocoupler, also known as an opto-isolator, is a type of electronic semiconductor component that is capable of transferring electrical signals between independent circuits with light as the medium. Commonly found within low voltage and highly noise sensitive circuits, the optocoupler serves to isolate circuitry in order to prevent undesirable noise and electrical collision. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of the optocoupler, allowing you to better understand its functionality and benefits to circuitry. Read more >>

Relays are a commonplace component within countless systems and applications, serving as an electrically operated switch. With the use of input terminal sets and operating contact terminals, a relay may be used for the management of a single control signal or multiple. With their control of signals and their operational characteristics, relays also may convert smaller electrical inputs into larger outputs, increasing their uses and abilities. Capable of being either a switch or an amplifier, electrical relays are paramount for the functionality of circuits within many types of electronic equipment. Read more >>

A dual in-line package switch, or DIP switch, is a very small electrical component constructed with a row, or dial, of switches designed to control the electrical output of a device. Allowing the user to determine the electrical flow around a printed circuit board (PBC), expansion card, and various other computer hardware and electronics, DIP switches provide advanced customization over the circuits they are packaged with. Capable of controlling up to thirty contacts depending on the number of switches present on a dual in-line package, to better understand these components, we will discuss commonly used DIP switches and how they function. Read more >>

A mechanical switching device is a device used to make or break the flow of a current. When combined with a measuring and control device, they are known as a switchgear. Examples of switchgears include circuit breakers, contactors, isolators, fuse links, relays, and more. In this blog, we will discuss the most common types of switchgears and their function. Read more >>

A circular connector is a multi-pin connector used primarily for external interfacing. They can be used for data transfer, electrical signal transmissions, or for powering electrical devices. Circular connectors are sometimes designed to carry what may be referred to as a mixed signal, and are sometimes known as power and control connectors. In this blog, we will discuss circular connectors in depth. Read more >>

Amplifiers are among the most commonly used electronic devices in the world. They serve as one of the basic building blocks of many circuits and come in a wide range of forms. Simply put, amplifiers are electronic devices that increase the power of a signal. In other words, they increase the amplitude of a signal, making it stronger than the given output. Though the operation of an amplifier is theoretically quite simple, there are a lot of factors they have to deal with. As such, there are many different types of amplifiers made for different applications. In this blog, we will discuss the many types of amplifiers and their unique characteristics. Read more >>

A varistor, also known as a voltage-dependent resistor, is an electronic component whose function is to protect other devices from high transient voltage. A metal oxide varistor, or MOV, is a specific type of resistor made from a combination of zinc oxide & other types of metal oxides including manganese, cobalt, and others. The material is arranged between two metal plates or electrodes to interact with each other. Varistors of this type are used most commonly in heavy devices to protect them from transient voltages. MOVs are the same as resistors in that they both consist of two leads that don’t have polarity. Read more >>

A diode is an electronic device with two terminals that conduct current primarily in one direction. They feature a low resistance in one direction (ideally zero), and high resistance in the other (ideally infinite). They have a wide range of uses and there are many different types of diodes available. The different properties of these varying diodes allow each one to perform in specialized functions. Below are the most common types of diodes and their uses. Read more >>

Electromechanical switches are devices used to make, break, or change the route of electrical and electronic current flow in circuits. Switches represent a vital electronic component throughout many electronic circuits. Despite the rise in popularity of electronic or semiconductor based circuits for switching, electromechanical switches are still widely used. Though they provide many functions, their simplest is to interrupt a circuit so that it can be switched on and off. Other types of electromechanical switches enable circuits to be routed through to different points and, depending on the circuit design, switches can provide a broad range of switching functions. Read more >>

Optocouplers, also known as photocouplers or optoisolators, are semiconductor devices that use a short optical patch or link to couple a signal from one electrical circuit to another while simultaneously providing electrical isolation. Photocouplers are typically contained in a single housing that is often similar size to an integrated circuit. Depending on the intended application, there can be a large degree of variation in size. This blog will discuss optocouplers and their functions in detail. Read more >>