Non-linear Components

In electrical circuits, Non-linear Components are electronic devices that need an external power source to operate actively. Non-Linear Components are those that are changed with respect to the voltage and current. Elements that do not follow ohm’s law are called Non-linear Components. Non-linear Components do not follow superposition principle and homogeneity .They mainly manipulate, amplify, switch or control the flow of electric current or voltage in a circuit. Non-linear Components – like diodes , transistors, integrated circuits (ICs), and sensors require power to do their job.

A circuit is an interconnection of components. These components are capable of performing active functions like amplification, rectification and switching they are called as Non-linear Components. In this article, we will learn about the role of Non-linear Components – in Electrical Circuits, their properties, types, working, advantages, disadvantages, and applications of Non-linear Components.

Non-linear Components in Electrical Circuits

In Electrical Circuits, Non-linear Components are those through which, the flowing current does not change linearly with the changing of the applied voltage across them.

Non-linear Components in Electrical Circuits require an external source of power to operate in a circuit. Non-linear Components is an electronic component that supplies energy to a circuit. These components supply electrical energy to the circuit or provide power gain in the circuit. Non-linear Components ,can amplify, can carry energy in one way or another, e.g. Integrated Circuit, battery, Diode etc. Non-linear Components make use of an external power source to add power to a system.

In Non-linear circuits, these non-linear elements is also known as electrical elements in the electric circuit and there will be a non- linear relationship between the voltage and current. The main examples of the Non-linear Components in power electronics are Diodes, Transistors, Integrated Circuits, etc.

Nonlinear devices include semiconductor devices (transistors and diodes), ferrite inductors driven at high current where magnetic saturation occurs, all amplifiers, and almost all integrated circuits. This needs external power source to operative actively in the region

Properties of Non-linear Components

• Non-Linear components do not obey the super-position and homogenous principle.
• Non-Linear components require an external power supply to operate.
• Non-Linear components produce energy in form of current or voltage.
• Non-Linear components can power gain in the electric circuit.
• Non-Linear components can control the flow of current.
• Non-Linear element is one whose plot between voltage across it and the current through it, does not comes out be straight line.
• They have gain and phase shift whose values varies according to the amplitude.

Working of Non-linear Components in Electrical Circuits

Non-linear Components are those, where V-I characteristics do not follows only one equation of straight line passing through origin for all the time. Non-linear Components do not follow Law of Homogeneity and Law of Superposition principle.

• Working of Non-linear Components include ,these Non-linear Components do not follow ohm’s law:
• Non-linear Components exhibits non linear relationship between input and output.

Ohm’s Law:

The potential difference in volts V, across the terminals of a given metallic wire in an electric circuit is directly proportional to the current flowing I through it, given its temperature remains the same.

• This is known as Ohm’s law. In other words, it can be written as: Potential difference across the ends ∝ Current
• In the below image, the plot between voltage across them and the current through them do not come out to be straight line.
• Elements or components which do not follow Ohm’s law are called Non-linear Components.

Non Linear Components

Types of Non-linear Components in Electrical Circuits

In electrical circuits, Non-linear Components are mainly divided into three basic electronic components which include:

• Diodes
• Transistors
• Integrated Circuits

Diodes

Diode is a type of Non-linear Component in electrical circuit. A diode is an electronic device having a two-terminal unidirectional power supply i.e. it has two terminals and allows the current to flow only in one direction. Diodes are widely used in modern-day circuits to secure circuits from over-voltage and they are also used to change AC current to DC current.

Diode

Diode is a one way valve for electricity. Diodes allow the current to pass through one way if it is forward biased (the anode with the positive terminal and the cathode with the negative one), and it prevents it from passing when it is reverse biased.

• Diodes consist of semiconductor materials, either silicon or germanium.
• It is a two terminal semiconductor device, these two terminals are called the anode and cathode.
• It lets the electricity to flow only in one direction.
• Most diodes have painted line on one end showing the direction or flow. The negative side is normally white
• Current flow through diode only when positive voltage is applied to anode and negative voltage is connected to cathode
• If these voltages are reversed, then the current will not flow.

Diode Circuit Symbols

Applications of Diodes

• They act as shields for solar panels.
• They are used to protect loads from voltage spikes.
• They are used in voltage and converting it from AC to DC.
• They are used to allow an unidirectional flow of current in circuit.
• They differ by its power, and how much current it can handle.

V-I Characteristics of Diode

The V-I characteristics of the diode can easily be understood under the following headings.

• Forward-Biased Diode
• Reverse-Biased Diode

Forward-Biased Diode

• In forward biasing semiconductor is connected to an external source when the p-type semiconductor is connected to the positive terminal of the source or battery and the negative terminal to the n-type, then this type of junction is said to be forward-biased. In forward bias, the direction of the built-in electric field near the junction and the applied electric field are opposite in direction. This means that the resultant electric field has a magnitude lesser than the built-in electric field due to this there is less resistivity and therefore depletion region is thinner. In silicon, at the voltage of 0.6 V, the resistance of the depletion region becomes completely negligible.

Reverse-Biased Diode

• In reverse biasing, the n-type is connected to the positive terminal and the p-type is connected to the negative terminal of the battery. In this case, the applied electric field and the built-in electric field are in the same direction and the resultant electric field has a higher magnitude than the built-in electric field creating a more resistive, therefore depletion region is thicker. if the applied voltage becomes larger, then the depletion region becomes more resistive and thicker.

The V-I characteristic of a diode in forward and reverse-biased conditions are,

VI-characteristics-of-Diodes

Transistors

Transistor is a type of Non-linear Component in electrical circuit. Transistor is the most important invention of the last century, its invention led to the advancement of electronics in a large and amazing way. Transistors amplify and switch electronic signals. The transistor amplifies, connects and disconnects electrical signals (acts as an electronic switch).

Transistor

• NPN and PNP transistors are two common types of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) used in electronic circuits. These transistors are used as switches and amplifiers, and understanding the difference between them is important for anyone interested in electronics.
• Transistors are able to amplify the power of a signal.
• Bipolar Junction Transistors in which include NPN and PNP transistors are further classified based on their applications and characteristics:
• NPN Transistor: The NPN transistor is commonly used for the amplification and switching in electronic circuits. It is named after the arrangement of its layers: N-type collector, P-type base, and N-type emitter.
• PNP Transistor: The PNP transistor is also used for the amplification and switching but with the opposite current flow compared to NPN.

The terminals of the BJT bipolar transistor are:

• B: Base
• C: Collector
• E: Emitter

Transistor-Circuit-Symbol

Applications of Transistors

• They are used in amplifiers.
• They are used in digital logic circuits.
• They are used in voltage regulators.
• It is used in converters.
• They are used in automatic switches

V-I Characteristics of Transistors

The behavior of a transistor is observed with the help of its V-I characteristics

There are two types of characteristic.

• Input Characteristic
• Output Characteristic

Input Characteristic

Input characteristic of a transistor gives the relationship between input current and input voltage for a constant output voltage.

• The input characteristic is a curve plotted between IE and VEB. At constant base voltage VCB.
• Keeping VCB constant(e.g.2V) note down IEB for different VEB.
• This will give input characteristic.

Output Characteristic

Output characteristics of a transistor gives the relationship between output current and output voltage for constant input current.

• It is the curve between Ic and VCB at constant emitter current.
• Keeping emitter current le fixed note the collector current Ic for various values of collector base voltage VCB.

The output characteristics has 3 basic regions:

• Active region – defined by the biasing arrangements
• Cutoff region – region where the collector current is OA
• Saturation region- region of characteristics to the left Of VCB = 0V

Transistor-Output-Characteristics

Integrated Circuits (ICs)

ICs is a type of Non-linear Component in electrical circuit .ICs integrate multiple electronic components into a single package, performing complex functions like microprocessors, memory storage, and specialized circuitry. An integrated circuit (IC) is a small semiconductor chip on which millions of electronic components such as resistors, capacitors and transistors are fabricated. It’s parameter varies according to the current and the voltage .

IC fabrication process

• The integrated circuit function is mainly to offer high-level functions and tasks like amplification, complex digital calculations i.e. microprocessors, and signal processing.
• The sole purpose of ICs is to increase the efficiency of the electronic devices, while reducing their size and manufacturing cost.
• An IC can function as an amplifier, oscillator, timer, counter, logic gate, microcontroller, or microprocessor.

An integrated circuit (IC) can consist of thousands or even millions of:

• Transistors
• Resistors
• Capacitors
• Diodes

IC-circuit-symbol

Applications of Integrated Circuits (ICs)

• IC’s are used to that combine multiple electronic components such as transistors, resistors, capacitors, into a single chip.
• IC’s are used to combines multiple electronic components.
• IC’s are used to reduce component size.
• IC’s are used to reduce power consumption.

Other Non-Linear components in electrical circuits include voltage sources like batteries ,current sources, generators, sensors and many other common components. These components are available as through-hole and components, and many are available in common packages with standard land patterns.

Difference between linear circuit and non linear circuit

Linear circuit	Non linear circuit
In linear circuit, the components like (resistance, inductance, capacitance, etc) are always constant and does not change irrespective of variations in current or voltage.	In non-linear circuit, the components like diodes ,transistors, etc. change with voltage or current.
For every input signal level, a straight line will appear on a graph of a linear circuit’s output signal vs input signal.	In a nonlinear circuit, the output will not be a straight line. Instead, the output will be a curve.
Ohm’s law is applicable for linear circuits.	Ohm’s law is not applicable for non-linear circuits.
Linear Circuit Components require an external power supply to operate.	Non linear circuit Components do not require external power supply to operate
A linear circuit satisfies both the properties of super position principle and homogeneity principle.	A non-linear network does not satisfy both the super position principle and homogeneity properties.
Examples of linear components are resistors, inductors, capacitors, etc.	Examples of non-linear components are diodes, transformers, transistors, etc.
They shows a linear relationship with voltage and current	They shows a non linear relationship with voltage and current .

Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-linear Components

There are some list of Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-linear Components given below :

Advantages

• Non-linear Components actively control the flow of electric current in a circuit.
• Non-linear Components manipulate the flow of electric current in a circuit.
• Non-linear Components can communicate over longer distance.
• Non-linear Components can amplify the signal in the circuit
• Non-linear Components provide more functionality.

Disadvantages

• They need extra power supply needed from outside.
• They are available at high cost.
• They are Large and Heavy
• They offer limited Lifetime
• These components are complex in design.
• Sometimes they have response issues.

Conclusion

In this article we have learnt about Non-linear Components , these can easily handle electric current in the electrical circuit. They can receive energy in the forms of thermal energy, chemical energy, hydraulic energy, and delivers in the circuit in the form of electrical energy. We have seen the properties of Non-linear Components and different types of Non-linear Components and we have the advantages and disadvantages of Non-linear Components. In Electrical circuits, Non-linear Components play an important role in controlling and amplifying the power in the electrical circuits.

FAQs on Non-linear Components

When do we say an element is non linear component?

We can say an element is non- linear component (such as diodes, transistors, integrated circuits, etc.) when it changes with the level of voltage or current in the circuit.

What are the classification of non linear components in Electrical Circuits?

The components which can change with the level of voltage or current in the circuit are called Non linear components .Diodes, transistors, integrated circuits, etc.. are classified into Non linear components in Electrical Circuits.

What are linear circuit components and non linear circuit components in electrical circuits?

Linear Circuit Components are the elements that show a linear relationship between voltage and current. Examples: Resistors, Inductors ,capacitors ,Transformers ,etc. Non-Linear Circuit Components are those that do not show a linear relation between voltage and current. Examples: Diodes, transistors, Integrated circuits ,Voltage sources and current sources.

Are voltage sources and current sources is a type of Non-linear Components ?

Yes, Voltage sources and current sources is a type of Non-linear Components in electrical circuits where the relation between voltage and current is a nonlinear function. Because Non-Linear components are those that do not show a linear relation between voltage and current.