What do you reckon the most produced component is?

[Braeden Hamson]

Of course "resistor" is the obvious answer, but I'm referring to specific components. 10K resistors? I wonder what the most numerous IC is.

 

[(*steve*)]

The answer is clearly "any component in a MELF package". For every one you use, several roll of onto the floor, never to be seen again.

 

[dave9]

42
Now what useful thing will you do with this knowledge?

 

[Minder]

In the DIY area, the 555 must be up there!
M.

 

[Braeden Hamson]

In the DIY area, the 555 must be up there!
M.

That one popped into my head first, I always tell people who want to start in electronics "build a 555 based blinky light." Which is a very satisfying project.

 

[Braeden Hamson]

Hmm, a USB interface chip?

 

[dave9]

I'm changing my answer to "wire".

 

[kellys_eye]

Transistor.

There are 'billions' in each modern processor.

 

[(*steve*)]

Transistor.

There are 'billions' in each modern processor.

Capacitor.

There is capacitance between every combination of two components.

 

[kellys_eye]

..... cheat! You may well say 'resistance' as there is resistance between everything too!

Protons? Electrons? Quarks?

 

[dave9]

If we're being this vague about terms, then the answer is rice. The question did not include limit to "electronic".

 

[kellys_eye]

or, if we're referring to this thread, then 'pedantry' would be the most prolific.......

 

[Minder]

I thought the question posed in the OP was the most numerous IC!!?
M.

 

[Kabelsalat]

Is there any statistics on this - btw. what are we counting in numbers or mass. Maybe the pcb card itself is the most produced, in terms of volume.

And if the question is about numbers - I'll keep to the pcb by claim there must be the paths/traces that outnumbers any components.

[edit]
Just read the first post over again, askin for IC it is.

I guess there is various opamps. I think the only way to tell for sure which type is sold most of, one have to go around and ask those very factories of what number of each chip THEY sold. I seriously doubt that is achieveable.

 

[FuZZ1L0G1C]

Given that most electronics today are digital, IC gate packages would probably be up there.
Thinking 78*** and 4*** families for a start.