DC motors are rotary electrical devices that are designed to convert direct current (DC) into mechanical energy. They are available in different types, each of which is equipped with an electronic internal mechanism or electromechanical internal mechanism that is responsible for changing the direction of the current in the motor. For instance, some of the most popular designs are permanent magnet, shunt and stabilized shunt, series, and compound wound variations.

A servo motor, or servomotor, is a type of rotary or linear actuator that may be used to achieve precise control of position, velocity, and acceleration that is angular or linear. A standard servo motor will consist of a position feedback sensor with a matching motor, and they can be found in applications ranging from automated manufacturing processes to robotics. With their use stretching across a variety of industries, it can be useful to have a general understanding of their use and how they function.

Switches serve as drawbridges in electric circuits. When the switch is closed, the “bridge” is down, allowing electric current to flow around the circuit. Similarly, if the switch is opened, the “bridge” is up and no current flows. Essentially, they function to activate or deactivate a circuit at any given time.

Capacitors are a common passive electrical component found in countless circuit assemblies, serving to store electrical energy within an electric field. Ceramic and electrolytic capacitor types are the two primary choices for electronic circuits, those of which slightly differ in their general makeup and design. To help you better understand the difference between ceramic and electrolytic capacitors, as well as how such components benefit various applications in general, we will discuss them in more detail.