Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Search
  • Books
  • Software
  • Projects
  • Process
  • Tools
  • Basics
  • Formula
  • Power Plant
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Electrical Basics
  • Animation
  • Standards
  • 4-20 mA Course
  • Siemens PLC Course
Reading: What is a Non-Linear Device? Example – Advantages
Share
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • Design
  • PLC
  • Interview
  • Control System
Search
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > Electronic Basics > What is a Non-Linear Device? Example – Advantages

What is a Non-Linear Device? Example – Advantages

A non-linear device is one where the relationship between voltage and current is not linear. Examples are semiconductors like transistors.

Last updated: February 8, 2023 12:00 pm
Viral Nagda
Electronic Basics
No Comments
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Electronics have an important relationship between current, voltage, and resistance, which is famously called Ohm’s law.

Contents
What is a Non-Linear Device?Example of Linear DeviceExample of a Non-Linear DeviceAdvantages of Non-Linear Devices

Ohm’s law states that voltage is equal to current multiplied by resistance. Based on that, in an electronic circuit, there are two types of devices used – linear and non-linear.

In this post, we will learn the concept of a non-linear device.

What is a Non-Linear Device?

As the name implies, a non-linear device is one where the relationship between voltage and current is not linear. In linear devices, the output signal is in line with the input signal.

But, in a non-linear device, the relationship between input power and output power does not plot on a graph as a straight line.

What is a Non-Linear Device

Example of Linear Device

For understanding this, let us take a simple example of Ohm’s law.

Suppose the resistance of a device is 2 ohms. The voltage applied is 10V. As per the formula, the current drawn will be 5A. Now, consider the resistance to be the same at 2 ohms; the voltage applied is now 20V. So, the current drawn will be 10A.

In any case, you see that the ratio between voltage and current is maintained. This is a linear device, in which its resistance does not vary in spite of any condition, be it temperature or any other external condition (can be current also).

In a linear device, all the basic circuit parameters—such as resistance, inductance, capacitance, waveform, and frequency—do not change with respect to current and voltage.

Example of a Non-Linear Device

Let us study the second scenario now. Suppose the resistance of a device is 2 ohms. The voltage applied is 10V. As per the formula, the current drawn will be 5A.

Now, consider the resistance to be increasing with an increase in current or temperature. So, for a voltage applied at 20V, if the resistance increases to 4 ohms, then the current drawn will be 5A.

In any case, you see that the ratio between voltage and current is not maintained. This is a non-linear device, in which its resistance varies in many conditions, be it temperature or any other external condition (can be current also). Due to this, the signal relation is also not in conjunction.

In a non-linear device, any of the basic circuit parameters—such as resistance, inductance, capacitance, waveform, and frequency—can change with respect to current and voltage.

Advantages of Non-Linear Devices

A non-linear relationship is useful in many electronic applications. The most commonly available non-linear devices are semiconductors like transistors, diodes, and inductors. In them, the current starts to decline as the voltage increases; or inversely, it increases at a very slow rate as compared to increasing voltage.

Most modern circuits are run at a high enough signal level that they exhibit a nonlinear response. Consider a transistor, the fundamental building block of modern computing.

We take advantage of the nonlinear response in its output current to define digital signals in a digital system. This nonlinear response leads to saturation in the current output, corresponding to an ON digital signal. There are plenty of other circuits you can construct in your next PCB that can provide the functionality you might need.

In this way, we understand the concept of a non-linear device.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, PLC, and SCADA video tutorials.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive daily updates.

Read Next:

  • Turbine Control System
  • Steps in PLC System Design
  • SCADA System Vulnerabilities
  • Delta PLC and VFD with Modbus
  • Characteristics of an Instrument
Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !

Continue Reading

How to measure frequency using Multimeter
How to Identify the Transistor Terminals
What is a Clamp Meter?
Zener Diode Voltage Regulators
Things to Know When Measuring Current
Types of Potentiometers – What is a Potentiometer? – Applications
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
210kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Explore More

How to Test a Diode using Multimeter
Definition of Accuracy, Precision, Resolution, Range
What are Analog and Digital Signals? Differences, Examples
How to Use SMD Components in Electronic Circuits?
Difference Between Common Cathode and Common Anode 7 Segment LED Display?
What is Contactor ?
What is Cathode Ray oscilloscope ?
How to Test Diodes Using Multimeter

Keep Learning

Difference Between LDR and Photodiode

Difference Between LDR and Photodiode

Difference of Energy Gap

Difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Semiconductors

Electrical Wire Mesh

What is an Electrical Wire Mesh?

How to Test a Transistor using Multimeter

How to Test a Transistor using Multimeter

Types of Noise in Electronics

Types of Noise in Electronics

Factors Affecting Inductance

Factors Affecting Inductance

100 Electronics and Electrical Projects for Engineering Students

100 Electronics and Electrical Projects for Engineering Students

What is a Fuse

What is a Fuse ?

Learn More

Boiler Blowdown

What is Boiler blowdown ?

ControlLogix 5580 Controllers

Rockwell PLCs for Large Scale Applications

Electronic Devices & Circuits Objective Questions

Electronic Devices & Circuits Quiz – Set 14

Semiconductor Fuse

What is a Semiconductor Fuse?

Zener Diode

Zener Diode Breakdown Characteristics

Types of Heat Exchangers

Types of Heat Exchangers

How to Create DFB in Schneider PLC? – Derived Function Block

Artificial Intelligence Projects

Artificial Intelligence Projects List and Ideas for Students

Menu

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Quick Links

  • Learn PLC
  • Helping Hand
  • Part Time Job

YouTube Subscribe

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?