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Electrical Component

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Key Stage 2

Meaning

A component is a part of an electrical circuit.

About Components

Components in a circuit are used to do different jobs.
The components you should know are:

Examples

Electrical Cell Wires Filament Bulb
CellSymbol.png
WireSymbol.png
BulbSymbol.png
ElectricalCell.png
Wires.png
FilamentBulb.png
A cell makes the electricity flow in a circuit. Wires are the path for electricity to flow. A filament bulb lights up when electricity flows through it.
Switch Buzzer Motor
SwitchOpenSymbol.png
BuzzerSymbol.png
MotorSymbol.png
ElectricalSwitch.png
Buzzer.png
Motor.png
A switch can complete or break a circuit to turn it on and off. A buzzer makes a sound when electricity flows through it. A motor spins when electricity flows through it.

Key Stage 3

Meaning

A component is a part of an electrical circuit.

About Components

Components in a circuit are used to do different jobs.
The components you should know are:

Examples

Electrical Cell Wires Filament Bulb
CellSymbol.png
WireSymbol.png
BulbSymbol.png
ElectricalCell.png
Wires.png
FilamentBulb.png
A cell makes the electricity flow in a circuit. Wires are the path for electricity to flow. A filament bulb lights up when electricity flows through it.
Switch Buzzer Motor
SwitchOpenSymbol.png
BuzzerSymbol.png
MotorSymbol.png
ElectricalSwitch.png
Buzzer.png
Motor.png
A switch can complete or break a circuit to turn it on and off. A buzzer makes a sound when electricity flows through it. A motor spins when electricity flows through it.
Resistor Voltmeter Ammeter
ResistorSymbol.png
VoltmeterSymbol.png
AmmeterSymbol.png
Resistor.png
AnalogueVoltmeter.png
AnalogueAmmeter.png
A resistor reduces the flow of current through a circuit. A Voltmeter is used to measure the Potential Difference between two points on a circuit. An Ammeter is used to measure the Current passing through part of a circuit.

Key Stage 4

Meaning

A component is a part of an electrical circuit.

About Components

Components in a circuit are used to do different jobs.
The components you should know are:

Examples

Electrical Cell Battery Variable Power Supply
CellSymbol.png
BatterySymbol.png
VariablePowerSupplySymbol.png
A cell makes the electricity flow in a circuit. A battery is several cells connected together. A variable power supply is a source of electricity with a potential difference which can be changed.
Alternating Current Supply Wires Filament Bulb
AlternatingCurrentSupplySymbol.png
WireSymbol.png
BulbSymbol.png
An alternating current supply is a source of electricity with an alternating current. Wires are the path for electricity to flow. A filament bulb lights up when electricity flows through it.
Switch Buzzer Motor
SwitchOpenSymbol.png
BuzzerSymbol.png
MotorSymbol.png
A switch can complete or break a circuit to turn it on and off. A buzzer makes a sound when electricity flows through it. A motor spins when electricity flows through it.
Resistor Voltmeter Ammeter
ResistorSymbol.png
VoltmeterSymbol.png
AmmeterSymbol.png
A resistor reduces the flow of current through a circuit. A Voltmeter is used to measure the Potential Difference between two points on a circuit. An Ammeter is used to measure the Current passing through part of a circuit.
Variable Resistor Light Dependent Resistor Thermistor
VariableResistorSymbol.png
LightDependentResistorSymbol.png
ThermistorSymbol.png
A variable resistor can change resistance controlling the current flowing through a circuit. A light dependent resistor (LDR) changes resistance depending on light intensity, the lower the intensity the greater the resistance. A thermistor changes resistance depending on the temperature.
Diode Light Emitting Diode Fuse
DiodeSymbol.png
LightEmittingDiodeSymbol.png
FuseSymbol.png
A diode only allows current through in one direction. A light emitting diode (LED) only allows current through in one direction and produces light when a current passes through it. A fuse is a thin piece of wire that will melt if too much current passes through it.