The important non-fundamental electrical components?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying important non-fundamental electrical components that may be relevant for students and practitioners in electronics and electrical engineering. Participants explore various components, their classifications, and their significance in building circuits and systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant lists resistors, inductors, capacitors, BJTs, MOSFETs, and FETs as fundamental components and seeks additional suggestions.
  • Another participant questions the definitions of fundamental and composite components, suggesting transformers, antennas, heat sinks, and protective devices as potential candidates.
  • A participant humorously notes the absence of diodes in the discussion, later echoed by another participant.
  • Light-emitting diodes, photodiodes, thermistors, piezoelectric elements, and liquid crystal displays are proposed as significant components by another participant.
  • The concept of a memristor is introduced, with one participant referencing its Wikipedia page while another expresses skepticism about its physical basis.
  • Wire is mentioned as a fundamental component, with a participant emphasizing its importance in minimizing reflection and considering impedance.
  • There is a contention regarding the classification of gates, with one participant asserting they are fundamental within their context, while another counters that it depends on the chosen demarcation for discussion.
  • Participants inquire about the future interests of others, specifically in telecommunications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on what constitutes fundamental versus non-fundamental components, with no consensus reached on the definitions or classifications. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the significance of certain components and their roles.

Contextual Notes

Definitions of fundamental components vary among participants, leading to ambiguity in the discussion. Some components mentioned may depend on specific applications or contexts, which are not fully explored.

Boltzman Oscillation
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TL;DR
What are the most important non-fundamental components I should learn about.
Through my 2 analog classes and 2 electronics classes I have learned about resistors, inductors, capacitors, BJTs, Mosfets, and FETS. What are some other fundamental components that I should be taking a look at? To add to this, I don't consider gates as fundamental because they are built up from transistors and thus I don't count them here.
 
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You might have to say more about what you consider fundamental and composite (or whatever other term). Would these qualify?
  • Transformers (for isolation, impedance transformation, impedance matching, power conversion, etc.)
  • Antennas (all different sizes and shapes and frequency bands)
  • Heat sinks
  • Fuses / MOVs / TVS devices, etc.
 
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I find it amusing that nowhere in this thread has the lowly diode been mentioned.
 
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Averagesupernova said:
I find it amusing that nowhere in this thread has the lowly diode been mentioned.
Lol yeah the diode too.
 
berkeman said:
You might have to say more about what you consider fundamental and composite (or whatever other term). Would these qualify?
  • Transformers (for isolation, impedance transformation, impedance matching, power conversion, etc.)
  • Antennas (all different sizes and shapes and frequency bands)
  • Heat sinks
  • Fuses / MOVs / TVS devices, etc.
Fundamental to me is similar to something that cannot be broken down into other components and is used to build up other components.
 
Light emitting diodes, Photodiodes, Thermisters, piezoelectric elements, liquid crystal displays,various solid state lasers
 
Wire! :DD:sorry::wink:
 
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Boltzmann Oscillation said:
I don't consider gates as fundamental...
Then you are wrong. Gates are fundamental within their own context.

Well, just around the wires: PCBs are fundamental too.
 
  • #10
Rive said:
Then you are wrong. Gates are fundamental within their own context.
As are boxcars in the context of a train. Just depends on where you choose the demarcation for discussion.
 
  • #11
Do you have a rough idea of what kind of things you want to work on when you graduate?
 
  • #13
Joshy said:
Do you have a rough idea of what kind of things you want to work on when you graduate?
Yes, telecommunications.
 
  • #14
Tom.G said:
Wire! :DD:sorry::wink:
See people laugh at you but wire is something you should be considering specially with long wires. You also want to make sure you minimize reflection and thus you have to take into consideration the impedance of the wire.
 

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