Testing Electronic Components

Answer the following questions:

1. What is a Circuit?
2. What is a Component?
3. What is an electronic component?
4. What are the 2 classification of electronic components?
Describe each.
5. Enumerate the different active electronic components.
Describe each.
6. Enumerate the different passive electronic components.
Describe each.
7. What is an Oscilloscope?
8. What is a Multimeter?
9. What are the criteria for testing electronic components?
• Circuit-the complete path of an electric
current including usually the source of
electric energy.

• Components–a constituent part.

• Electronic-of, relating to, or utilizing

devices constructed or working by the
methods or principles of electronics.
We may not notice,
but we are
surrounded by
these tiny
electronic
components.
These e-
components can
be found in our
electronic devices
such mobile
phones,
• Electronic Components are the
elements of circuit which help in its
functioning. These elements are
found in the tangible aspect of
computer system which is commonly
known as the computer hardware,
most of these elements are found
especially inside the system unit.
• Electronic components are generally
classified to:
• 1. Active Electronic Components control
the charge flow in electronic circuits. By
definition, active elements generate energy
for any device. It is the core component to
operate any device.
• 2. Passive Electronic Components are
quite opposite to active ones. They don’t
require any external voltage to perform
their job. But they are not capable to
• ACTIVE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
• Active electronic components can control the flow
of electrons through them. Some of the commonly
used active components are:
• ‘Transistor is a three-terminal semiconductor
device that regulates current or voltage flow and
acts as a switch or gate for signals.
• Diodes are used to block the electric
current flow in one direction, i.e. in
forward direction and to block in
reverse direction. This principle of
diode makes it work as a Rectifier.
• Batteries generate electrical
energy by the process of
electrochemical reaction which
takes place inside it.
• PASSIVE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
• Passive components cannot control the flow of current
through them i.e. they cannot introduce energy into
the circuit but can increase or decrease voltage and
current. Two terminal components like the following
are examples of passive components.
• Resistors - resist is a word which means “to oppose”.
Resistance is the property of opposing the flow of
electrons, in a conductor or a semiconductor. A
resistor is an electronic component which has the
property of resistance.
• Capacitor is a passive component that has the
ability to store the energy in the form of potential
difference between its plates. It resists a sudden
change in voltage. The charge is stored in the
form of potential difference between two plates,
which form to be positive and negative depending
upon the direction of charge storage.
• Inductor is a passive two-terminal
component that temporarily stores energy
in the form of a magnetic field. It is usually
called as a coil. The main property of an
inductor is that it opposes any change in
current.
• Transformer has a primary coil to
which input is given and a secondary
coil from which the output is collected.
Both of these coils are wound on a
core material. Usually an insulator
forms the Core of the transformer.
• BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT
EQUIPMENT
• When it comes to designing electronic
circuits, testing and measuring various
parameters like current, voltage,
frequency, resistance, capacitance,
etc. is very important. Hence, the Test
and Measurement Equipment like
Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Logic
Analyzers, Function Generators (or
• Oscilloscope
• The most reliable test equipment for observing
continuously varying signals is an Oscilloscope.
With the help of an Oscilloscope, we can observe
the changes in an electrical signal like voltage,
over time.
• Multimeter - A multimeter is a
combination of Voltmeter,
Ammeter and Ohmmeter. They
provide an easy way to measure
different parameters of an
electronic circuit like current,
voltage etc. Multimeters can
measure values in both AC and
DC. Earlier multimeters are
analog and consists of a pointing
needle. Modern multimeters are
digital and are often called as
Digital Multimeters or DMMs.
• CRITERIA FOR TESTING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
(Based on Manufacturer Standard Procedure)
• Computer Systems essential parts are hardware and software,
which are to be tested to make sure they follow quality standard.
Below are the following criteria for testing electronic
components:
• Functionality - Can be performed on hardware or software
products to verify that your product functions exactly as
designed. The general purpose of hardware functionality testing
is to verify if the product performs as expected and documented,
typically in technical or functional specifications. Developers
creating a new product start from a functional specification,
which describes the product’s capabilities and limitations
• Compatibility - Is performed to make sure your
product functions in its targeted use environment
(e.g., different platforms, operating systems,
chipsets, peripherals, manufacturers, etc.). Often
vendors also refer to compatibility testing as
interoperability testing – either term refers to
making sure your product functions correctly with
other products in the “real world” when released.
• Performance - Validates that your
product functions acceptably for the
market in which you are releasing your
product. No one wants the product that
they have to wait for or that feels
sluggish.
• Usability - Is performed to provide an
independent analysis of a product in
terms of how easy or difficult it is to
use. This may cover documentation,
installation, and product use cases. In
addition, a range of different user
experience levels may be evaluated.
• Automation - Allows you to perform repetitive
testing quickly and easily by scripting your
product with one of many different industry
tools. Competitive Analysis - Compares your
product to similar products already in the
marketplace. These may be products that
you’ve previously released or competitive
products, so that you can highlight your
advantages – whether performance or usability.
try tools.
THANK YOU!