When buying RAM for the first time, whether to upgrade or build a new computer, choosing the right configuration can be a daunting task. There are a variety of terms for different performance specifications, and often the most expensive, top of the line models are well beyond what may be needed to improve your computer’s performance. RAM, or Random Access Memory, is hardware that holds the temporary data that your computer is using at a given moment, including programs and the OS. In this blog, we will discuss some of the basics of RAM, as well as how to choose the correct configuration for your system. Read more >>

With the ever evolving technology of computers, there are often debates on whether it is better to have a HDD or SSD for mass storage. For those unfamiliar with these devices, it may seem confusing of which one is more useful. While they have similar functions, the way that they store data is quite different. Comparing which one is the better choice also becomes difficult as it depends on the functionality desired. In this blog, we will give a short overview of the similarities and differences between these two drives. Read more >>

Resistors serve importance within electrical systems through the reduction of current flow, dividing voltages, and adjustment of signal levels to aid in electrical resistance. Carbon composition resistors are a type of fixed resistor that was developed in the early 20th century. They have become more outdated in more recent years, preceded by newer fixed resistors, though still have some important utilization in various applications. In this blog, we will provide an overview of what carbon composition resistors are, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as their modern applications. Read more >>

Resistors are an important component to help reduce current and restrict electrical current flow. Wire wound resistors, in particular, are important in applications where there are large amounts of power that need dissipation. They are one of the first types of resistors to be utilized, and their functions and structure have changed little over the years. Wire wound resistors have been superseded by other resistors, but their qualities and functionality in applications where other resistors fail make them still very reliable and widely used. Read more >>

In the modern era, most electronics are dependent on printed circuit boards, or PCBs, to contain the various electronic components that allow them to function. These components are held onto the board by solder flux that creates a bond between the pins of a component and their corresponding pads on the PCB, with the main purpose of the solder being to provide electrical connectivity. Soldering and desoldering is performed to install or remove components on a PCB.           Read more >>

MOSFET stands for metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor. What sets a MOSFET apart from its transistor counterpart, BJT (bipolar junction transistor), is that it is voltage controlled as opposed to current controlled. This makes a MOSFET more capable to handle high levels of voltage as opposed to a BJT. Read more >>

The vast majority of electrical systems in the United States are wired and designed for alternating current, or AC. Homes, office buildings, and businesses all run on AC. Most electronics, however, need direct current, or DC, to run properly. There are several different ways to convert AC to DC, but for this blog, we will focus on the use of diode bridges, or bridge rectifiers. Read more >>

A carbon film resistor is an evolved form of the carbon composition resistor; it is smaller in size and capable of providing much better performance. It is a type of fixed resistor that uses carbon film to restrict an electric current to a certain level. It is constructed by using a ceramic carrier rod onto which a thin layer of pure carbon is deposited as a film. This thin carbon film acts as the resistive element. The ceramic substrate acts as the insulating material to heat or electricity.  Read more >>

In electrical engineering, a switch is used to interrupt current or divert it from one conductor to another. When an electrical contact is open, it means that the switch is off and not conducting because the contacts are separated; when an electrical contact is closed, it means that the switch is on and conducting because the contacts are touching. Read more >>

Smartphones know to dim the screen and disable touch interaction before it comes into contact with a user’s ear— and they’re only capable thanks to a photoelectric proximity sensor. Proximity devices can to infer the presence of a variety of objects and materials without direct contact. The most common proximity sensors are inductive, capacitive, photoelectric, and ultrasonic. Read more >>