1. Passive Components is the terminology used within the electronics industry in Taiwan to refer to a specific

category of electronic components, distinct from Active Components. In mainland China, these are referred to as

“passive devices” and “active devices,” respectively. Currently, domestic industry practice generally follows the

terminology of “passive components” (resistors, capacitors, inductors) and “active components” (integrated

circuits). If an electronic component operates without any internal power source, it is classified as a passive

device. These primarily include: resistors, capacitors, inductors, ceramic resonators, crystal oscillators, and

transformers.

2. Active Components (or Active Devices) generally refer to devices that require energy to perform their specific

functions. If an electronic component operates with an internal power source present, it is classified as an active

device. These primarily include: (1) Electron Tubes (also known as vacuum tubes)—the earliest form of active

electronic components—which are categorized into diodes, triodes, and multi-electrode tubes; (2) Transistors—

electronic devices fabricated using crystalline materials such as silicon or germanium (classified as semiconductor

materials)—which are categorized into semiconductor diodes and semiconductor triodes; and (3) Integrated

Circuits (abbreviated as IC; also referred to as microcircuits, microchips, or simply “chips”).