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Electronics made easy

by A-Nony-Mus on July 15, 2010

Table of Contents

Electronics made easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Electronics made easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Resistors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2: Diodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3: Capacitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 4: Transistors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 5: Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 6: Speakers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 7: Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 8: Miscelleny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

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Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
Intro: Electronics made easy
So I have seen a lot of people asking where is a good place to learn about electronics. I think it is about time that someone made an instructable about it. In this
instructable I will cover some of the main electronics components, their uses and what they look like in schematics. I would like to request the members who are good
with electronics to help out; if I missed a component, tell me I missed it, if I got some information wrong, tell me, please.

Note: I am by no means an expert, but I consider my knowledge (and the knowledge of the instructables community at large) sufficient enough to educate those who
wish to be educated.

Step 1: Resistors
Resistors are simple: they limit the amount of current allowed through a circuit. Resistors are color coded to make it easier, and can have four, five, or six colored bands.
Resistors are measured in Ohms.

To find the resistance of the four-band resistor:

look at the resistor, make sure the side that has a silver or gold is to the right (there might not be a band with one of these colors, make sure the side that has no band is
to the right).

now you simply read it.

write down the first value
write down the second value
the third number tells you how many 0's to add to the number
the fourth number tells you the tolerance.
black=0
brown=1
red=2
orange=3
yellow=4
green=5
blue=6
Purple=7
gray=8
white=9
Silver=10% tolerance
Gold=5% tolerance

In the picture the resistor is red green red gold, so that would be 2500-5%. This means that it is 2500 Ohm's and has a tolerance of 5%.

Image Notes
1. make sure this band is to the right
2. Read this one first
3. Second
4. Third

Image Notes

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
 1. This is what a resistor looks like in a schematic

Step 2: Diodes
Diodes force the current in one direction, so it is imperative to put them in the right way, or you could blow them up. (literally)

Luckily, manufacturing companies make this easy on us. One side of the diode has a stripe on it. Electrons (electricity) flow from the cathode to the anode. The side with
the stripe on it is the cathode.

Note: LED's (Light Emitting Diodes) are diodes, and therefore can burn out if inserted wrong.

If you build a circuit with Diodes, and you see smoke or flames coming out of it, DISCONNECT IT AS FAST AS YOU CAN more than likely you have inserted it wrong. It
is ok if there is heat though, as long as there is not smoke or flame.

Image Notes
1. This is the stripe.
2. This is the cathode
3. This is the schematic symbol for a diode.
Image Notes
1. The short lead is the cathode
2. Another way to find the cathode is to find the side where the plastic is flattened

Step 3: Capacitors
Capacitors are like batteries. They store an electrical charge and then discharge it. Because of this, they have a positive and negative lead. These are easier to find, as
they are labeled + and -.

There are two types of capacitors: electrolytic and ceramic.

Capacitors are measured in Farads.

Image Notes
1. note the -. the other side says +.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
 Image Notes
1. This is the schematic symbol for the capacitor.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
Step 4: Transistors
A transistor is like a mini amp. It takes weak signals (like those that represent sound) and make them stronger.

There are three leads on a transistor, labeled "B," "E," and "C." These stand for "Base," "Emitter," and "Collector."

If there is no current flowing to the base, the transistor won't let the emitter and collector receive any current.

There are several types of transistors, two of them are NPN and PNP. "N" stands for negative, and "P" stands for positive. NPN means that the outer two leads are
negative and the inner lead is positive. PNP means the exact opposite.

Image Notes
Image Notes 1. Where this arrow is depends on what type of transistor it is.
1. Collector 2. This is the symbol for transistors
2. Base
3. Emitter
4. There should be a number here that can help you decide which type of
transistor it is.

Step 5: Motors
So now we are getting into the bigger components. There are three types of motors: AC, DC, and stepper. DC stands for direct current, which is what you get from
batteries. AC stands for alternating current, which is what courses through your house. A stepper motor moves in steps, so that you can have it move an exact amount.

With DC motors, the motor spins spins towards the negative energy.

Motors can also be generators, which is how your house is powered by AC.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
 Image Notes
1. Magnets. Motors work by making an electromagnet that attracts and repels
the motor.
Image Notes 2. Inside of a motor.
1. This is an example of a dc motor. Ac motors can look the same.

Image Notes
1. This is the symbol for motor.

Image Notes
1. Stepper motor.
2. Note there are more than two leads. These are generally driven by a
microcontroller.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
Step 6: Speakers.
Speakers work on the same principle as motors. Speakers, therefore, can also be generators. Speakers, instead of turning, move up and down. This moving up and
down compresses the air, thus creating sound waves.

It is important to note that the only difference between a speaker and a microphone is that a microphone is a speaker specifically wired for input.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. This paper moves up and down to create sound. 1. This is the symbol for a speaker.
2. lead
3. lead
4. This is the magnet. There is a coil around it.

Step 7: Transformers
I have to admit, I don't know a lot about transformers, but this is what I know.

Transformers are used to change the voltage in a circuit. They can increase it or decrease it. A step-up transformer increases the voltage, a great example is the Tesla
coil, which takes a voltage (usually 120V) and makes it MUCH bigger. An example of the opposite type of transformer would be a wall adaptor, which takes 120V
(depending on where you live) and brings it down to something that won't blow your electronic joy up.
The number of wrapping on the coils is directly proportional the voltage in vs. voltage out.
Note: transformers can have four or five pins, on a four pin transformer, those are: +in, +out, -in, -out.

EDIT: 1/14/2011 thanks to frozenveinz, I now have a good picture of a transformer.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
 Image Notes
1. This is a pin.

Step 8: Miscelleny
This was a brief overview of the world of electronics.

I will post abbreviations on this page. If there are any I forgot, please inform me.

IC= integrated circuit.

MOSFET=Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor
LCD=liquid crystal display (basically a screen)
LASER= Light Amplification by Stimulated Emition of Radiation

Please post a link to any 'ible you make from this, including your very own death ray :)

Image Notes
1. this is an example of the ic symbol

Image Notes
1. This is an example of an ic.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
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Comments
26 comments Add Comment

pigeonpants says: Feb 12, 2011. 7:00 PM REPLY

Could a section be added on relays and/or potentiometers?

A-Nony-Mus says: Feb 12, 2011. 8:03 PM REPLY

Sure, it may take a while thoguh, because I've been doing a lot of work and haven't been getting much sleep. I'll notify you when I've done it.

pigeonpants says: Feb 13, 2011. 8:24 AM REPLY

Yay! Btw, it's pretty super awesome that you, and all the other smarties who've contributed comments, put this instructable together, so thanks for
having done all this! ^_^

Purple Guy says: Jan 28, 2011. 1:43 PM REPLY

As someone else has said, The "S" in Laser stands for "Stimulated", not "Simulated". Not particularly important but since its a guide for beginners, best not
for them to pick up little errors.
Otherwise, Great guide!

LiquidLightning says: Jan 13, 2011. 11:50 PM REPLY

Here you go.

A-Nony-Mus says: Jan 14, 2011. 2:16 AM REPLY

Thank You.

LiquidLightning says: Jan 14, 2011. 3:39 AM REPLY

No problem. Although you should add that a transformer has two coils and four pins on it, and that voltage and amperage are stepped up or down.

Here's a diagram.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
 mofoya says: Nov 23, 2010. 10:20 AM REPLY
your definition of LASER is incorrect.
it is: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emition of Radiation

vitalzero says: Aug 27, 2010. 2:08 PM REPLY

hey! what about coils?

A-Nony-Mus says: Aug 29, 2010. 4:10 AM REPLY

Could you be more specific? I covered coils briefly in the motors section.

vitalzero says: Aug 30, 2010. 5:50 AM REPLY

I meant inductors

devinmccloud says: Aug 22, 2010. 2:29 PM REPLY

Very nice tutorial. I learned a little more knowledge.

techturtle2 says: Jul 16, 2010. 3:58 PM REPLY

The diagram is wrong. there is a curved line on the negative.

A-Nony-Mus says: Aug 12, 2010. 12:51 PM REPLY

Just, to double-check: From my understanding the parallel bars are for the non-polar capacitors (it doesn't matter which way they are inserted) and the
diagram you posted is for polarized capacitors (it does matter which way they are inserted). I know, I realize it was a sloppy mistake to not put both.

techturtle2 says: Jul 16, 2010. 3:53 PM REPLY

What about MOS FETs?

troseph says: Jul 21, 2010. 9:34 AM REPLY

I've been tinkering with "beginner" electronics for a year and haven't touched a MOSFET. I'm familiar with what they are but have never needed one in
small projects.

F430gx says: Jul 21, 2010. 2:10 PM REPLY

MOSFET is an acronym for "Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor". MOSFET is the most used transistor, but is not realy relevant to talk
about a special type of transistor in a basic guide, is like introducing subwoofers and tweeters with speakers.

techturtle2 says: Jul 21, 2010. 6:49 PM REPLY

It is also a VERY good voltage regulators. (7805, 7812, 7803 ect.) I built a divice that uses a 7805 on a 9v and a female USB to charge my
iPhone!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/
 troseph says: Jul 21, 2010. 9:37 AM REPLY
I think this guide could help you get a better understanding of how those kits you're building works. Some good further learning would be Collin
Cunningham's electrons videos on youtube.

jman 31 says: Jul 16, 2010. 9:27 AM REPLY

One thing to note is that the npn and pnp are representative of the "doping" of the materials (i.e. silicon etc.) in a transistor, not the polarity of the legs. There
is much more to it than just negative,positive,negative. I realize that this is a very brief overview, but it could lead to some confusion.

adamazing says: Jul 15, 2010. 3:35 PM REPLY

Good instructable, but I think the description of the diode may benefit from a change or two.

Electrons indeed "flow" from the cathode to the anode. But most people think of electricity as a flow of positively charged particles, moving from + to - when
looking at a circuit diagram. So suggesting that equivalency between electrons and electricity is misleading.

It might be better to state more explicitly that the stripe indicates the forward direction or, put simply, where the current will "flow" out of.

A-Nony-Mus says: Jul 15, 2010. 9:57 PM REPLY

I thought the stripe is where the positive energy is connected

mattthegamer463 says: Jul 15, 2010. 4:24 PM REPLY

Also note, only electrolytic and tantalum capacitors are polarized (have a + and -) ceramic, mylar, film etc. do not care which way they are inserted. Caps
which are polarized are almost always have either the positive or negative marked on them.

mattthegamer463 says: Jul 15, 2010. 4:22 PM REPLY

Another way to tell which side of the LED is which, if the legs are cut and it is a square LED that has no flattened spot, is to look at the metal encased in the
plastic. One side will look like a "flag" and be a lot larger than the other side, this large side is the negative.

Godkranek says: Jul 15, 2010. 8:49 AM REPLY

great instructable, i know very litlle of electronic, and this give you a very easy start, i hope you continue adding stuff

A-Nony-Mus says: Jul 15, 2010. 8:52 AM REPLY

Thank you

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronics-made-easy/