Difference Between Active And Passive Components (Elements)

Active Components

An active component is a device that has an analog electronic filter with the ability to amplify a signal or produce a power gain. All electronic circuits must contain at least one active component.

Examples of Active Components

• Silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs)
• Transistors such as MOSFETs, FETs and JFET
• Diodes such as Zener diodes, photodiodes, Schottky diodes and LEDs)
• Integrated circuits
• Amplifiers
• Voltage and current sources
• Vacuum tubes
• Generators such as alternators and DC generators

What You Need To Know About Active Components

• The active component is a device which can amplify the output signal of electronic circuit with more in it than in the input signal.
• Active components require an external power source in order to provide energy to the circuit.
• Active components are unidirectional in nature.
• Active components function as heat source and thus are capable of providing the power gain.
• Active components deliver or produce energy or power in the form of voltage or current.
• Active components when connected in any circuit show some level of control towards current flowing through the circuit.
• Active components act as generators due to their power supplying ability.
• Active components cannot store energy.
• Active components fall under the nonlinear category.
• Active component deliver power or energy to the circuit.
• Active components are widely used in personal computers (PC).
• They can amplify the signal because of giving gain, more than one.

Passive Components

Passive components are devices which control or modify the output of the electronic circuit without playing an active role in its performance. Passive elements do not require any form of electrical power to operate and thus they cannot amplify, oscillate or generate an electrical signal.

Examples Of Passive Components

• Resistors
• Inductors
• Capacitors
• Memristor
• Transformers
• Transducer
• Conductors

What You Need To Know About Passive Components

• Passive components are devices which control or modify the output of the electronic circuit without playing an active role in its performance.
• Passive component does not need an external power source as they are unable to supply power and can only store or transfer the power present in the circuit.
• Passive components are bidirectional in nature.
• The passive components act as a heat sink and thus are not capable of providing the power gain.
• Passive components utilize or store energy in the form of voltage or current.
• Passive components are actually not designed to control the current flowing through the circuit.
• Passive components act as attenuators due to their absorbing tendency.
• Passive components can store the energy (in case of inductor and capacitor).
• The passive components fall under the linear category.
• The passive elements employ the power or energy in the circuit.
• Passive components are widely used in MP3 player, washing machine etc.
• They are not capable of amplifying the signal because of having gain less than one.

Also Read: Difference Between Active And Passive Instruments

Difference Between Active And Passive Components