Solid-State Electronic Components Demystified

What does Solid-State even mean? 

The term originally emerged in the 1960s, marking the shift from technology that used vacuum tubes and created an electronic activity in a gaseous state to technology in which the electronic activity happened through a “solid state.” 

 solid-state electronic components and devices are composed of semiconductor materials, including geranium of gallium arsenide. They utilize integrated circuits, diodes, and transistors. Solid-state can describe wide breadth of types of components. A solid-state relay, for example, refers to when transistors switches relace a moving-arm electromechanical relay. 

Why use Solid-State electronic components?

1. Durability: the primary benefit of solid-state is its sturdiness. Removing the moving parts means that the device will won’t experience abrasion that creates wear-and-tear over time, as well as lowering the risk of mechanical failure. 
2. Size: it is far more compact than mechanical components, while accomplishing more. 
3. Efficiency: The use of power by solid-state is more efficient while generating less heat.

What are the drawbacks? 

Despite their increased durability, they are still susceptible to some types of damage. Impact, water, and chemical exposure are some things that harm solid-state electronic components. Extremely high heat can also become a problem. ICS alleviated this and created a solid-state relay that is more resilient to this than others on the market.