In electrical and audio systems, active refers to a component or device that requires electrical power to operate, often to amplify, modify, or process a signal.
The term active is used across multiple contexts in commercial and industrial electrical systems, particularly in reference to audio, video, and signal distribution components. An active device contains powered circuitry that performs functions such as signal boosting, equalization, splitting, or filtering. These devices depend on an external power source, typically AC or DC power, to function.
In AV environments, examples of active devices include active crossovers, which split the audio signal into multiple frequency bands before amplification, and active speakers, which contain both amplification and crossover circuitry within the same enclosure. These systems offer greater precision and control over signal distribution than their passive counterparts, making them ideal for complex commercial AV installations.
Active components can also be found in networking and signal infrastructure, such as active baluns, active splitters, and active repeaters, which enhance signal strength to overcome distance limitations or reduce signal degradation.