Computer Tricks and Secrets

Short answer: a buzzer turns an electrical signal into sound. The two common types are piezoelectric (a crystal that vibrates when voltage is applied) and electromagnetic (a coil and magnet that move a diaphragm). You can build a simple buzzer circuit with a battery, a switch and a buzzer in minutes. Here is how it works and how to make one, a great beginner electronics project. What a buzzer actually does A buzzer is an audio signalling device: it converts electrical energy into a beep, click or ring. You hear them in doorbells, alarms, microwaves and toys, whenever a device needs to make a simple sound to get your attention. The two main types Type How it works Piezoelectric Voltage flexes a piezo crystal, which vibrates and makes sound Electromagnetic Current through a coil moves a magnetic diaphragm to make sound Piezo buzzers are small, cheap and common in electronics; electromagnetic ones can be louder. Active vs passive buzzers (important for building) Acti...