definition of electronic device

In a broad sense, an electronic device is a combination of electronic components organized in circuits, designed to control and harness electrical signals.

In this broad sense, an electronic device is synonymous with an electronic product, artifact or device, such as a speaker, a blender, a cell phone, a computer or a television.

Basically electronic devices use electricity for the storage, transport or transformation of information.

Its production and consumption have grown strongly in recent decades. Currently many of these devices, some curiously, connect to the Internet to expand their functionality. For more information read: Internet of things.

difference between electronic and electrical device

An electronic device takes advantage of electrical signals, while an electrical device is used to control and take advantage of the flow of electrical current.

For example, an electric lamp or bulb (electrical device) takes advantage of the electric flow to produce light energy, while a sound amplifying device (electronic device) will govern, through its electronic circuits, the signals coming from a microphone, and the excitatory signals from the microphone. of the speakers.

We must emphasize that some bibliographies do not make a distinction between electronic device and electrical device. There are also bibliographies that treat electronic devices as synonyms for electronic components (read the next section).

Electronic device as a synonym for electronic component

In a narrower sense, an electronic/electrical device is a component that allows the flow of electrical currents to be controlled in order to process information and control the system. Some prominent examples are transistors and diodes. Electronic devices are usually small and can be grouped into packages called integrated circuits. This miniaturization is critical to the rise of modern electronics.

In this case, electronic device is synonymous with electronic component, so I suggest reading that article for more information.

electronic components on a board

An electronic component is any physical entity in an electronic system that is used to affect electrons or their associated fields in a manner consistent with the intended function of the electronic system. The components are generally intended to be connected together, usually by soldering to a printed circuit board (PCB), to create an electronic circuit with a particular function (for example, an amplifier, radio receiver, or oscillator).

Components can be packaged individually or in more complex groups such as integrated circuits.

Some common electronic components are capacitors, inductors, resistors, diodes, transistors, etc. Components are often classified as active (for example, transistors and thyristors) or passive (for example, resistors, diodes, inductors, and capacitors).

For more information read: electronic component.

related terminology

Device