The Amateur Electrical Engineer

By Perry Henderson

In electrical based applications, the practitioner will encounter three basic material types. These material types will be categorized by their properties in how they permit or retard the flow of electrical current (or simply electrons). It is of great importance from a design and knowledge standpoint to have a firm grasp of these materials and how they respond to current due to the need to have the proper material at the proper place in a system. The atomic structure of these materials and how the outer shell of electrons behaves will determine the functioning of the material and its conductive or insulator properties.

Insulators are materials that prevent or do not allow for the easy flow of electrons. This property is related to the tightly bonded outer electrons (this is a highly simplified explanation, but it can give a basic idea of how this works). The bound electrons due to them being tight, slow the movement of electrons. Insulators are materials such as glass, rubber, and plastics. Often in safety applications, materials such as rubber are often used to keep individuals from getting a dangerous electric shock. Often various components are shielded utilizing these materials to make sure that the current goes to the desired places and not to places where there can be a safety issue or cause damage to the circuit components.

Conductors are materials that make magic happen. Conductors allow for the flow of electrons. The common conductors are aluminum, copper, and silver. The amazing thing about conductors is that they have loosely bound electrons. The movement of these electrons move freely in the presence of an electromagnetic field. Conductors are utilized in many applications such as wires and any component types that will utilize and move current around the circuit. Conductors by their nature have very low resistance, meaning that they do not slow the flow of electrons.

Semiconductors are really in many ways the material of the modern world. These amazing materials have many of the properties of both insulators and conductors. Modern computer technology utilizes semiconductors in many applications, due to their properties. Semiconductors are a central material in components such as transistors which are the basis of computational technology. Doping alters semiconductor conductivity, enabling components like diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits (ICs) to amplify, switch, and control signals due to their unique properties.

To develop into knowledgeable professionals, electrical engineers and hobbyists must develop a strong foundation in material science and the various properties of the materials that they interact with daily. Remember that insulators aid in isolating current, conductors allow the flow of electrons, and the modern world is based on semiconductors. With this information the world of electronics will open for you.

© Copyright 2025 Perry Henderson