Electronic samples


A great way of getting free electronics components is asking manufacturers for free samples.
Many of them have a free sample program,others you have to send an email.
Sometimes you need to register on their site before being able to receive samples.And then there are those
who don't send to free email addresses like Gmail.You have to be creative when
filling out the form(often they ask for an annual usage)and there are companies
which will contact you by phone(although that hasn't happen to me so far).
There also companies which will send you free samples,but you have to pay for shipping.
There is a certain etiquette,I think,when it comes to free samples:
-don't resell them to other people.
-don't make a large list and ask for a large number of components(many companies have restrictions anyway).
-don't ask for samples every month(many companies keep track of that also)
To be short:don't abuse the free sample program:you will ruin it for others.It is also a nice gesture if you use these components
in one of your projects to thank the company and give them some free advertising.
There are more places on the web where you can find lists for samples(I used these too for my list):
dutchforce.com samples list
ladyada.net:finding parts
Instructables.com list
Another Instructables.com list


I divided the components roughly in categories(but sometimes there will be an overlapping in things companies produce
and occasionally some companies appear in different categories).
LEDs and opto-electronics

  • Bivar-PCB Packaging and LED Assemblies 
    

  • Sun LED-LED and Displays 
    

  • Kingbright-LEDs.
    

  • Ledtronics
    

  • Marktech-Led and related.
    

  • VCC lite-LEDs.
    
Semi conductor

  • Catalyst Semiconductor-Memory and Voltage Reference 
    

  • Texas Instruments-Semiconductor .
    

  • Maxim-Semiconductor.
    

  • Analog Devices-Semiconductor 
    

  • National-Semiconductor .Is now part of Texas Instruments.
    

  • NXP-Semiconductor 
    

  • Intersil-Semiconductor 
    

  • Agilent-Semiconductor 
    

  • Cypress Semiconductor-Networking 
    

  • Fairchild-Semiconductor .
 Apparently doesn't send samples to free email addresses.
    

  • Infineon-Semiconductor 
    

  • Microsemi-Semiconductor 
    

  • Linear-Semiconductor 
    

  • Holtek-Semiconductor.
    

  • ON Semiconductor-Semiconductor 
    

  • Zilog-Semiconductor 
    

  • Central Semiconductor-Semiconductor 
    

  • Pericom -Semiconductor 
    

  • Freescale-Semiconductor
    

  • NJR-Semiconductor 
    

  • Rohm Europe -Semiconductor,opto electronics etc 
    

  • Rectron-Semiconductor 
    

  • Sensitron/Wilco-Arrays, Semiconductors, LEDs 
    

  • Triquint
    

  • STMicroelectronics-Diodes,transistors,etc
    

  • Semtech-Power Devices 
    

  • Azmicrotek-Logic Translator 
    
Connectors/terminal blocks

  • Harwin-Connectors
    

  • Bomar Interconnect-Connectors
    

  • Blockmaster
    

  • Edac-Connectors,jacks and plugs
    

  • RIA Connect-Terminal Blocks and RJ connectors 
    

  • Molex-Connectors 
    

  • Kycon-Connectors 
    

  • Mill Max-Interconnects and IC sockets .
 Will direct you towards one of their distributors to buy your samples. 
    

  • Tyco/Amp-Connectors and Cables
    

  • ITW/Fastex-Connectors and Clips
    

  • Volex-Powercords and connectors
    

  • Wurth Elektronics-PCB, EMI, EMC, Connectors 
    

  • ON Shore-Terminal Blocks and connectors 
    

  • FCI Connect-Connectors 
    

  • Schurter
    

  • Marco Manufactoring
 Their sample page doesn't work.I'm not sure if they are even in business anymore. 
    

  • Lumberg
    

  • Bulgin-Switches,batteryholders.
    

  • Eby
    

  • Sealcon
    

  • Global Connector Technology
    

  • Bolt Products Inc.-Terminal blocks and hardware.
    Free samples but you have to pay for shipping and handling.
    
Switches

  • Oslo switch
    

  • Carling technologies-Switches,circuit protection
    

  • Electroswitch-Switches,transformers
    

  • NKK Switches-Switches.
    

  • /E-switch/Lamb Industries-Switches .
You have to get your samples from their distributors.
    

  • Screenkeys-LCD Screen Switches
    

  • Schurter
    

  • Johnson Electric
    

  • Marquardt Schalter
    

  • Judco
    

  • Bulgin
    
Ferrite beads 

  • Ferrishield-Ferrite suppressors.
    

  • Laird Technologies
    
Passive components(resistors,capacitors)

  • Kemet-Capacitors.
    

  • Ohmite-Resistors,heatsinks
    

  • Coilcraft-Inductor 
    

  • Cooper-Magnetics and protection 
    

  • Meritek USA-Passive Components 
    

  • Murata Europe-Passive Components 
    

  • WIMA-Capacitors
    

  • Micrometals-Toroids
    

  • NorthWest Components-Passive and Diodes 
    

  • Epcos-Passive Components 
    

  • AVX-Passive Components & Oscillators 
    

  • Electrocube-Power electronics,passive components.
    

  • Nemco
    

  • RCD
    

  • Cornell Dubilier
    

  • Noble USA
    

  • Dean Technology-High voltage diodes,capacitors.
    

  • Littelfuse-Power Devices and Fuses 
    

  • NIC Components
    
Suppliers

  • Astrorep-Supplier 
    

  • FMG Electronics-Supplier 
    

  • Electec-Supplier 
    

  • AVnet-Supplier 
    

  • Chesrep-Supplier 
    

  • Promor-Supplier 
    

  • SMD-Supplier 
    
Microchips/memory

  • Atmel-Microcontroller .
    

  • California Micro Devices-Protection and Interface 
    

  • PMC-Memory 
    

  • EM Microelectronics-RFID 
    

  • ERG-Display related 
    

  • Bridgeport-Fittings 
    

  • Keystone Electronics-Hardware and Accessories
    

  • Schurter
    

  • Bolt Products Inc.-Bolts,nuts,cable-ties,tube clamps.
  Free samples but you have to pay for shipping and handling.
    

  • Alliance Express-Cable-ties,hose protection,heatshrink etc.
   Registration required. 
    
Tools

  • Aboveboard Electronics-Tools 
    
Various

  • AAVID Thermal Alloy-Heatsinks
    

  • Desco-ESD and static control.
 You have to send them an email.But they were kind enough to send me an ESD wrist strap
 with cord.
    

  • CML Micro-Wireless communication 
    

  • Hittite-Microwave 
    

  • Ramtron-Memory 
    

  • Spectra Symbol-Flex Sensors
    

  • Cirrus Logic-Digital chips, D/A converters, Ethernet controllers, audio/video decoders
    

  • Fordata-LCD 
    

  • Tek National-Thermal Insulation and hardware 
    

  • Bergquist-Thermal related products 
    

  • Tra Con-Thermal Management 
    

  • Canadian Shunt
    

  • E-T-A-circuitbreakers.
    

  • Sipex-Power Management, Interface, Optical Storage 
    

  • Allegro Micro-Sensors 
    

  • Fox-Crystals and Oscillators 
    

  • Ecliptek-Oscillators.
    

  • THAT Corporation-Audio Technology
    

  • Clare-Communication and drivers 
    

  • FTDI Chips-USB 
    

  • Sonitron-Speakers,buzzers.
    

  • Bestartech-Acoustic components.