Semiconductors

RS Components offers a comprehensive range of semiconductor devices from leading manufacturers and suppliers. Our broad portfolio includes products from reputable semiconductor companies like ON Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics, Vishay, Microchip, Infineon, Analog Devices, plus many more.

Our extensive semiconductor offerings provide a single point of supply throughout the electronic product life-cycle. For prototyping, we offer an extensive range of parts like development boards and silicon in convenient small quantities. To cater for production, we also supply silicon in manufacturer standard bulk packaging, such as trays, tubes and reels etc. Combined with the wide variety of semiconductor device types and technologies on offer, RS is an excellent source and supplier for your electronic manufacturing and component needs.

 What is a Semiconductor?

Simplistically, a semiconductor is a material that has an electrical conductance between that of an insulator and a conductor. This means that a semiconductor can conduct current, but only partially. This key characteristic provides the foundation for modern electronic devices.

Semiconductors are essential in electronics as their properties can be modified and manipulated to provide useful functionality. For example, in a MOSFET transistor, a voltage can be applied to the semiconductor material from which it is constructed to control whether the MOSFET conducts current or not, providing an electronic, solid-state switch. Another example would be a rectifier, where the semiconductor construction means that current can flow more easily in one direction than the other, providing directional current flow control.

The most common semiconductor material used within electronics is silicon, the term becoming ubiquitous to describe PCB semiconductor devices as a whole.

Common Semiconductor Device Types

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of semiconductor device types that can be split into two broad device types:

Discretes - A simple device; a device with just one circuit element. Common examples include transistors such as MOSFETs, diodes, TRIACS and LEDs.

Integrated Circuits (ICs) - Electronic devices that incorporate several circuit elements into one package. Examples include microcontrollers, microprocessors, analogue-to-digital converters, operational amplifiers and voltage regulators.

Typical Semiconductor Applications

An electronic product will have many semiconductor devices within its construction. The global market for semiconductors in 2017 was over $400 billion, demonstrating how essential they are to modern society.

Shop High-Quality Semiconductor Parts

 If you are looking for a reliable semiconductor parts supplier, look no further than RS Components as we work with the leading semiconductor parts suppliers and companies that have years of experience manufacturing high-quality products. For more information on our products, please reach out to us.