Transformer core

A transformer core serves the following three important purposes: Provides mechanical support to the windings. Provides a low reluctance closed ferromagnetic path to the magnetic flux. Reduces the losses due to flux leakage. The primary and secondary windings of a transformer are wound over the core but physically separated from each other. The transformer core … Read more

Transistors – Learn all about transistors

A transistor is an electronic semiconductor device that is used in the circuit to control, regulate and amplify electrical voltage or current signals. Nowadays, silicon is predominantly used as the material for the construction of transistors. In some cases, a combination of trivalent and pentavalent elements, like gallium−arsenide are also used. By interconnecting and embedding … Read more

Diode ratings – How to understand a diode datasheet?

Datasheets released by diode manufacturers contain a number of diode ratings. In order to select diodes for an application, it is important to understand all the ratings listed in the datasheets. Here is a list of all diode ratings that you must remember always. Diode ratings Forward voltage drop (Vf) The voltage drop measured across … Read more

What is PIV rating in a diode?

PIV stands for ‘Peak Inverse Voltage’. It refers to the maximum reverse bias voltage a semiconductor diode or other semiconductor devices can withstand without damaging themselves. The peak inverse voltage is also known as peak reverse voltage. PIV rating of a diode is temperature-dependent. It increases with an increase in temperature and decreases with a … Read more

Hysteresis loss and Eddy current loss and their difference

In electric machines, a varying magnetic field causes eddy currents in all metallic parts and hysteresis in ferromagnetic core. The losses caused due to eddy currents are known as eddy current loss and that caused due to hysteresis is known as hysteresis loss. In the following sections, we will learn, eddy currents, the phenomenon of … Read more

PN Junction Diodes

What is a diode? A diode is an electrical component that allows the current to flow in only one particular direction. Diodes are made up of silicon and germanium. They are used to protect the circuit by limiting the voltage and transforming the AC voltage into DC voltage. There are many types of diodes and … Read more

Zener diodes – Operation, Symbol and V-I Characteristics

What are zener diodes? Zener diodes are silicon semiconductor devices that can allow the passage of current in both forward and reverse directions. Unlike p-n junction diodes, they are designed in such a way to handle the reverse breakdown voltage without damaging themselves. They are heavily doped than normal p-n junction diodes, thereby forming a … Read more

Difference between resistance and impedance

When we speak about DC electricity, resistance is the term used to refer to opposition to current flow whereas impedance is the term used in AC electricity. Impedance is basically a combination of resistance and reactance. Here is the difference between resistance and impedance. Resistance Resistance is the term used to denote the opposition to … Read more

Difference between EMF and Voltage

The difference between EMF and voltage is that the EMF is the potential difference measured across a power source without a load connected to it whereas voltage is the potential difference measured between any two points in a circuit. We use the term EMF when we speak about batteries, generators, transformers, and other power sources … Read more

Difference between volts and amps | Volts vs amps

Volts and amps or ampere are two measures of electricity. Specifically, voltage is the measure of electric potential difference between two points whereas ampere is the measure of electric current. They are closely related terms and can be a bit difficult to understand. In this article, let’s learn the difference between volts and amps. What … Read more