Lee Roberts
23-01-2008, 03:01 PM
Well, some of you out there want to get involved in electronics; some basic, and some advanced. This tutorial-ish thing is designed to give you a jumpstart into the world of electronics.
Electric Components:
Diodes
Diodes are like a one-way valve in electronics. They let electricity flow one way, and only this way. Diodes have leads that are assigned a current, either positive or negative, and this must not be overlooked when using diodes. There are many different types of diodes, but I will not get into this level of detail, as it is not needed in this introduction to electronics.
Resistors
Resistors are the basic electronic component. They are not direction specific, meaning that positive or negative current can be applied to either lead, and the resistor will not be harmed. Resistors have different values, measured in ohms. The values can be read by the bands on the side of the resistor.
This chart is used to figure out the characteristics of the resistor at hand:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k37/legomaniac_2006/Resistor_Read.jpg
The chart is pretty much self-explanatory, but if help is needed, I can assist.
Capacitors
Capacitors store and release electric current. This amount of energy held is determined by the value of the capacitor. This value is measured in micro farads. The symbol you might come across is ‘uf.’ Capacitors are current-sensitive, so this must be observed when working with them. The longer lead of the two found on a capacitor is the positive, and hence, the shorter one is the negative. Also, caution must be used not to exceed the capacitor’s voltage rating, marked on the side usually, or smoke and a loud ‘POOF’ will ensue (as I learned the hard way!).
Transistors
Transistors are electronic switches. They have three leads that are sensitive to current. Current is applied to the collector. This current is either positive or negative, depending on the type of transistor (either PNP, positive negative positive, or NPN, negative, positive, negative).
So, a PNP transistor would have the lead configuration of:
- Collector = Positive
- Base = Negative
- Emitter = Positive
When a current is applied to the base, again this current can be negative or positive, electricity flows from the collector to the emitter.
LED’s
LED’s, or light emitting diodes, are basically diodes that emit light when a current flows through them. The longer lead on a LED is positive; the shorter one is negative. Many different types of LED’s exist, ranging from super bright to flashing. Another way to find the current configuration is to look at the LED from the top. See that flat spot? The lead closest to that is the negative one.
Electric Components:
Diodes
Diodes are like a one-way valve in electronics. They let electricity flow one way, and only this way. Diodes have leads that are assigned a current, either positive or negative, and this must not be overlooked when using diodes. There are many different types of diodes, but I will not get into this level of detail, as it is not needed in this introduction to electronics.
Resistors
Resistors are the basic electronic component. They are not direction specific, meaning that positive or negative current can be applied to either lead, and the resistor will not be harmed. Resistors have different values, measured in ohms. The values can be read by the bands on the side of the resistor.
This chart is used to figure out the characteristics of the resistor at hand:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k37/legomaniac_2006/Resistor_Read.jpg
The chart is pretty much self-explanatory, but if help is needed, I can assist.
Capacitors
Capacitors store and release electric current. This amount of energy held is determined by the value of the capacitor. This value is measured in micro farads. The symbol you might come across is ‘uf.’ Capacitors are current-sensitive, so this must be observed when working with them. The longer lead of the two found on a capacitor is the positive, and hence, the shorter one is the negative. Also, caution must be used not to exceed the capacitor’s voltage rating, marked on the side usually, or smoke and a loud ‘POOF’ will ensue (as I learned the hard way!).
Transistors
Transistors are electronic switches. They have three leads that are sensitive to current. Current is applied to the collector. This current is either positive or negative, depending on the type of transistor (either PNP, positive negative positive, or NPN, negative, positive, negative).
So, a PNP transistor would have the lead configuration of:
- Collector = Positive
- Base = Negative
- Emitter = Positive
When a current is applied to the base, again this current can be negative or positive, electricity flows from the collector to the emitter.
LED’s
LED’s, or light emitting diodes, are basically diodes that emit light when a current flows through them. The longer lead on a LED is positive; the shorter one is negative. Many different types of LED’s exist, ranging from super bright to flashing. Another way to find the current configuration is to look at the LED from the top. See that flat spot? The lead closest to that is the negative one.