Passive vs. Active Circuit Elements – How to Choose Them and Where to Use Them?

Electrical and electronic circuits are usually made up of smaller components or devices with different functions and designs. These components can be passive (passive) or active (active). We explain the difference between passive and active installation components, how to select them, and in which areas to use them. If you are a professional or amateur electrical contractor, this article is a must-read for you!

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What is the difference between passive and active components?

Active systems (also called active systems) in an electrical installation are those that generate or modify the transmitted electrical signal. They enable the control and transformation of electrical energy. Passive elements (also called passive systems) of the network, on the other hand, are those that transmit the signal but do not modify it. They do not generate electrical energy, but only consume it, i.e. use it. They also have the ability to store electrical energy and play a key role in signal regulation. The classification of a given element as active or passive therefore depends on its effect on electrical signals.

Examples of passive elements in electrical installations

Standardly used passive elements in electrical installations are:

• resistors (resistors) – they take energy and convert its excess into heat, adjusting the voltage in the circuit to protect against damage to other components, they do not actively affect the electrical signal;
• capacitors – are responsible for storing electrical energy in DC circuits;
• coils – these are inductive elements with or without a core, they do not actively affect the electrical signal, they perform a resistive function, in some situations they are characterized by a capacitive-inductive parameter;
• chokes – universal coils used mainly as filtering elements for transmitted electrical energy (signal), they differ in resistance and permissible current, they accumulate energy in a magnetic field;
• fuses – equipment used to interrupt the flow of current in a circuit in order to protect the user against electric shock and other system elements against the effects of overvoltages and overloads (fuses prevent damage to the equipment), they draw energy when the circuit is activated and interrupted;
• resonators – used to stabilize the vibration frequency of electronic oscillators;
• potentiometers – independent elements typically used in audio devices, enable volume control and radio frequency setting, take the form of a knob or slider, the operation of which changes the resistance, and therefore precisely adjusts the signal level.

Passive components also include cables, wires and mounting parts.

Active elements in electrical circuits

Electrical engineering is based on active components. They are crucial in various types of networks, influencing their efficiency, reliability and safety. Typical active elements in electrical circuits are:

• transistors – semiconductor elements with versatile applications, especially in electronics, have the ability to amplify electrical signals;
• operational amplifiers - analog components used to amplify the input voltage.

Other examples of active elements include microprocessors and electron tubes (the predecessor of transistors). In electronics, in addition to transistors, these include LED diodes and strips, SMD varistors, LED displays, bridge rectifiers, DC-DC converters, buzzers, and other elements. In turn, active elements of computer networks, i.e. those responsible for transmitting, receiving, and processing data, include: switches, access points (enabling wireless connectivity), modems, network cards, servers, and hubs. The selection of active elements depends on the individual requirements of the application, as well as the budget. However, investing in high-quality, certified components can bring benefits in the form of efficient, stable, and safe operation of the electrical installation.  

We encourage electrical installers, shop owners and small electrical wholesalers, and other professionals to familiarize themselves with the Onninen wholesale offer. Our assortment includes approximately 500,000 products in such main categories as

• electrical equipment (including modular equipment ),
• lighting (including light sources ),
• housing equipment (including installation boxes )
• We supply passive and active components for various electrical installations.

As an electrical wholesaler, we also offer switchboards and enclosures , installation cables and cable routes - complete systems and individual components. In case of any doubts, we encourage you to contact us. Onninen's technical and sales advisors provide substantive support by phone and e-mail. B2B customers can also count on advice in stationary Onninen branches, which are located throughout Poland, and on a special offer.

Check out the electrical engineering at the Onninen wholesaler