How to use this list

Open an entry to see its illustration, what it does, an example and the specifications that matter. Tap any image to enlarge it. Images are original representative illustrations, not photographs, exact pinouts or guarantees of physical identification. Component families and circuit arrangements are distinct: a capacitor is a part; a filter is a circuit that may use several parts. This reference covers common and important families, rather than every manufacturer part number or specialized circuit ever made.

Examples explain function; they are not universal replacement or wiring instructions. Appearance, package size and a matching nominal value do not establish compatibility. Stored charge, mains, vehicle batteries and high-voltage equipment require appropriate precautions and qualified procedures.

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Audio and pulse transformerInductors and Transformers

What it does

A transformer optimized for audio bandwidth or pulse transfer rather than simply mains frequency.

Example

An audio output stage or pulse interface.

Important distinction

Frequency response, insulation and loading requirements differ by application.

Specifications to read

Inductance, winding resistance, current, saturation, frequency, losses, coupling and required insulation.

A rating is a limit or condition, not a guarantee of suitability. Use the manufacturer's data sheet for the exact component and the equipment's schematic for its intended role.

Autotransformer and adjustable autotransformerInductors and Transformers

What it does

Uses a shared winding arrangement. Some adjustable versions vary an output voltage.

Example

Qualified supply adjustment.

Important distinction

Voltage adjustment does not by itself provide electrical isolation.

Specifications to read

Inductance, winding resistance, current, saturation, frequency, losses, coupling and required insulation.

A rating is a limit or condition, not a guarantee of suitability. Use the manufacturer's data sheet for the exact component and the equipment's schematic for its intended role.

ChokeInductors and Transformers

What it does

An inductor used primarily to impede unwanted varying current or interference.

Example

Supply filtering in suitable equipment.

Important distinction

Choose according to the current, frequency and circuit role.

Specifications to read

Inductance, winding resistance, current, saturation, frequency, losses, coupling and required insulation.

A rating is a limit or condition, not a guarantee of suitability. Use the manufacturer's data sheet for the exact component and the equipment's schematic for its intended role.

Common-mode chokeInductors and Transformers

What it does

Uses coupled windings to impede common-mode disturbances while supporting the intended signal or power path.

Example

An interface or input filter.

Important distinction

Its differential and common-mode behavior are different.

Specifications to read

Inductance, winding resistance, current, saturation, frequency, losses, coupling and required insulation.

A rating is a limit or condition, not a guarantee of suitability. Use the manufacturer's data sheet for the exact component and the equipment's schematic for its intended role.

Ferrite beadInductors and Transformers

What it does

Provides frequency-dependent impedance useful for reducing selected interference.

Example

A noisy supply or signal interface.

Important distinction

It is not a general-purpose replacement for a power inductor.

Specifications to read

Inductance, winding resistance, current, saturation, frequency, losses, coupling and required insulation.

A rating is a limit or condition, not a guarantee of suitability. Use the manufacturer's data sheet for the exact component and the equipment's schematic for its intended role.

Flyback transformerInductors and Transformers

What it does

A coupled magnetic component used in a flyback energy-transfer arrangement; older CRT implementations have specialized high-voltage functions.

Example

An isolated converter or documented CRT system.

Important distinction

Ordinary transformer assumptions and casual meter probes are unsuitable for high-voltage CRT work.

Specifications to read

Inductance, winding resistance, current, saturation, frequency, losses, coupling and required insulation.

A rating is a limit or condition, not a guarantee of suitability. Use the manufacturer's data sheet for the exact component and the equipment's schematic for its intended role.

InductorInductors and Transformers

What it does

Stores energy in a magnetic field and opposes changes in current. Its behavior also includes winding resistance and parasitic effects.

Example

A switching converter or filter.

Important distinction

Inductance alone does not specify saturation, heating or frequency behavior.

Specifications to read

Inductance, winding resistance, current, saturation, frequency, losses, coupling and required insulation.

A rating is a limit or condition, not a guarantee of suitability. Use the manufacturer's data sheet for the exact component and the equipment's schematic for its intended role.

TransformerInductors and Transformers

What it does

Transfers energy or signals through magnetic coupling between windings. Some designs provide electrical isolation; others do not.

Example

An isolated supply or audio coupling stage.

Important distinction

A transformer name or turns ratio does not establish safety isolation.

Specifications to read

Inductance, winding resistance, current, saturation, frequency, losses, coupling and required insulation.

A rating is a limit or condition, not a guarantee of suitability. Use the manufacturer's data sheet for the exact component and the equipment's schematic for its intended role.

Visual comparison guides

Compare representative physical forms, then read the entries for their different functions. Many parts share package shapes. Appearance alone cannot identify ratings, internal construction or terminal assignments.

Units and worked examples

Prefixes: k = 1,000; M = 1,000,000; m = 0.001; μ = 0.000001; n = 0.000000001; p = 0.000000000001. Case matters: M and m are different.

Resistor example

For an ideal 1 kΩ resistor with 5 V across it: I = V/R = 5/1,000 = 0.005 A = 5 mA. Dissipation is P = V²/R = 25/1,000 = 0.025 W. This arithmetic does not select a real part without its temperature, voltage and application requirements.

Tolerance example

A 1 kΩ resistor with ±5% nominal tolerance spans 950 Ω to 1,050 Ω at the specified conditions. Tolerance is different from drift with temperature or aging.

Capacitance and timing example

10 μF = 10,000 nF. An ideal first-order RC network with R = 1 kΩ and C = 10 μF has τ = RC = 0.01 s = 10 ms. A time constant is not automatically the delay of every timer using those parts.

Stored energy

Ideal capacitor charge is Q = CV; stored energy is E = ½CV². Doubling voltage at the same capacitance quadruples the stored energy. These are learning equations, not a discharge procedure.

Schematic symbols, labels and markings

Reference letters identify components in a drawing; conventions vary by manufacturer and standard. Always read the drawing's legend.

R17 identifies a component location, not a resistance value. A marking such as 4R7 may mean 4.7 Ω in an applicable resistor convention. Three-digit markings such as 104 often represent 100,000 base units: 100 kΩ for a resistor or 100,000 pF = 100 nF for an applicable capacitor code. Confirm the component family and marking system; short codes can be ambiguous.

Common questions

Manufacturer references

Original plain-language summaries and educational examples. These references support further study; exact product data sheets and equipment manuals remain authoritative for a real application.

• Vishay — Basics of Linear Fixed Resistors
• Murata — Capacitor Selection Guide
• Analog Devices — Electronics glossary
• Analog Devices — Electronics I and II
• Texas Instruments — Power topologies