Electronics For Dummies

Cathleen Shamieh is an electrical engineer and a technical writer with extensive engineering and consulting experience in the fields of medical electronics, speech processing, and telecommunications.

• Introduction 1About This Book 1Foolish Assumptions 2Icons Used in This Book 3Beyond the Book 3Where to Go from Here 4Part 1: Fathoming the Fundamentals of Electronics 5Chapter 1: Introducing You to Electronics 7Just What Is Electronics? 8Checking Out Electric Current 9Exploring an atom 9Getting a charge out of protons and electrons 11Identifying conductors and insulators 11Mobilizing electrons to create current 12Understanding Voltage 13Let the force be with you 14Why voltage needs to be different 14Putting Electrical Energy to Work 15Tapping into electrical energy 15Working electrons deliver power 16Using Circuits to Make Sure Electrons Arrive at Their Destination 17Supplying Electrical Energy 18Getting direct current from a battery 19Using alternating current from a power plant 20Transforming light into electricity 21Using symbols to represent energy sources 22Marveling at What Electrons Can Do 23Creating good vibrations 23Seeing is believing 23Sensing and alarming 24Controlling motion 24Computing 24Voice, video, and data communications 25Chapter 2: Gearing Up to Explore Electronics 27Getting the Tools You Need 28Stocking Up on Essential Supplies 31Getting Ready to Rumble 35Using a Solderless Breadboard 35Chapter 3: Running Around in Circuits 37Comparing Closed, Open, and Short Circuits 38Understanding Conventional Current Flow 40Examining a Basic Circuit 41Building the basic LED circuit 42Examining voltages 44Measuring current 49Calculating power 50Chapter 4: Making Connections 53Creating Series and Parallel Circuits 53Series connections 54Parallel connections 56Switching Electric Current On and Off 59Controlling the action of a switch 60Making the right contacts 61Creating a Combination Circuit 62Switching On the Power 66What Do Circuits Look Like? 67Part 2: Controlling Current With Components 71Chapter 5: Meeting Up with Resistance 73Resisting the Flow of Current 74Resistors: Passive Yet Powerful 75What are resistors used for? 76Choosing a type of resistor: Fixed or variable 80Reading into fixed resistors 82Rating resistors according to power 86Combining Resistors 88Resistors in series 89Resistors in parallel 91Combining series and parallel resistors 93Chapter 6: Obeying Ohm’s Law 95Defining Ohm’s Law 95Driving current through a resistance 95It’s constantly proportional! 96One law, three equations 97Using Ohm’s Law to Analyze Circuits 98Calculating current through a component 98Calculating voltage across a component 99Calculating an unknown resistance 101Seeing Is Believing: Ohm’s Law Really Works! 102What Is Ohm’s Law Really Good For? 105Analyzing complex circuits 105Designing and altering circuits 107The Power of Joule’s Law 109Using Joule’s Law to choose components 109Joule and Ohm: perfect together 110Chapter 7: Getting Charged Up about Capacitors 111Capacitors: Reservoirs for Electrical Energy 112Charging and Discharging Capacitors 113Watching a capacitor charge 115Opposing voltage change 118Giving alternating current a pass 119Discovering Uses for Capacitors 120Characterizing Capacitors 121Defining capacitance 121Keeping an eye on the working voltage 123Choosing the right dielectric for the job 123Sizing up capacitor packaging 124Being positive about capacitor polarity 124Reading into capacitor values 125Varying capacitance 127Interpreting capacitor symbols 128Combining Capacitors 128Capacitors in parallel 128Capacitors in series 129Teaming Up with Resistors 130Timing is everything 130Calculating RC time constants 132Varying the RC time constant 133Chapter 8: Identifying with Inductors 137Kissing Cousins: Magnetism and Electricity 138Drawing the (flux) lines with magnets 138Producing a magnetic field with electricity 139Inducing current with a magnet 140Introducing the Inductor: A Coil with a Magnetic Personality 141Measuring inductance 142Opposing current changes 142Calculating the RL time constant 144Keeping up with alternating current (or not!) 144Behaving differently depending on frequency 144Uses for Inductors 145Using Inductors in Circuits 146Reading inductance values 147Combining shielded inductors 147Tuning in to Radio Broadcasts 148Resonating with RLC circuits 148Ensuring rock-solid resonance with crystals 150Influencing the Coil Next Door: Transformers 151Letting unshielded coils interact 151Isolating circuits from a power source 152Stepping up, stepping down voltages 152Chapter 9: Diving into Diodes 155Are We Conducting or Aren’t We? 155Sizing up semiconductors 156Creating N-types and P-types 157Joining N-types and P-types to create components 157Forming a Junction Diode 158Biasing the diode 159Conducting current through a diode 160Rating your diode 161Identifying with diodes 161Which end is up? 162Using Diodes in Circuits 162Rectifying AC 162Regulating voltage with Zener diodes 164Seeing the light with LEDs 165Turning on an LED 167Other uses of diodes 170Chapter 10: Tremendously Talented Transistors 171Transistors: Masters of Switching and Amplifying 172Bipolar junction transistors 173Field-effect transistors 174Recognizing a transistor when you see one 175Making all kinds of components possible 176Examining How Transistors Work 176Using a model to understand transistors 178Operating a transistor 179Amplifying Signals with a Transistor 180Biasing the transistor so it acts like an amplifier 182Controlling the voltage gain 182Configuring transistor amplifier circuits 183Switching Signals with a Transistor 184Choosing Transistors 184Important transistor ratings 185Identifying transistors 186Gaining Experience with Transistors 186Amplifying current 186The switch is on! 189Chapter 11: Innovating with Integrated Circuits 191Why ICs? 192Linear, Digital, or Combination Plate? 193Making Decisions with Logic 194Beginning with bits 194Processing data with gates 196Simplifying gates with truth tables 199Creating logical components 199Using ICs 202Identifying ICs with part numbers 202Packaging is everything 202Probing IC pinouts 205Relying on IC datasheets 206Using Your Logic 207Seeing the light at the end of the NAND gate 208Turning three NAND gates into an OR gate 209Hanging Out with Some Popular ICs 211Operational amplifiers 211IC time machine: the 555 timer 213Counting on the 4017 decade counter 220Microcontrollers 221Other popular ICs 222Chapter 12: Acquiring Additional Parts 223Making Connections 224Choosing wires wisely 224Plugging in to connectors 226Powering Up 228Turning on the juice with batteries 228Getting power from the sun 232Using wall power to supply higher DC current or voltage (not recommended) 232Using Your Sensors 235Seeing the light 235Capturing sound with microphones 236Feeling the heat 238More energizing input transducers 238Experiencing the Outcome of Electronics 239Speaking of speakers 240Sounding off with buzzers 241Creating good vibrations with DC motors 242Part 3: Getting Serious About Electronics 245Chapter 13: Preparing Your Lab and Ensuring Your Safety 247Picking a Place to Practice Electronics 248The top ingredients for a great lab 248Workbench basics 249Acquiring Tools and Supplies 250Amassing a multimeter 250Stockpiling soldering equipment 251Hoarding hand tools 253Collecting cloths and cleansers 254Loading up on lubricants 255Stocking up on sticky stuff 256Other tools and supplies 256Stocking Up on Parts and Components 258Solderless breadboards 258Circuit-building starter kit 259Adding up the extras 261Organizing all your parts 262Protecting You and Your Electronics 262Understanding that electricity can really hurt 262Soldering safely 268Avoiding static like the plague 268Chapter 14: Interpreting Schematics 273What’s a Schematic and Why Should I Care? 274Seeing the Big Picture 274It’s all about your connections 275Looking at a simple battery circuit 276Recognizing Symbols of Power 277Showing where the power is 277Marking your ground 280Labeling Circuit Components 281Analog electronic components 283Digital logic and IC components 285Miscellaneous components 286Knowing Where to Take Measurements 288Exploring a Schematic 288Alternative Schematic Drawing Styles 290Chapter 15: Building Circuits 293Taking a Look at Solderless Breadboards 294Exploring a solderless breadboard 295Sizing up solderless breadboard varieties 297Building Circuits with Solderless Breadboards 298Preparing your parts and tools 298Saving time with prestripped wires 299Laying out your circuit 300Avoiding damaged circuits 303Soldering 101 304Preparing to solder 304Soldering for success 305Inspecting the joint 306Desoldering when necessary 307Cooling after soldering 308Practicing safe soldering 308Creating a Permanent Circuit 309Exploring a printed circuit board 309Relocating your circuit to a perfboard 310Making a custom circuit board 312Chapter 16: Mastering Your Multimeter to   Measure Circuits 315Multitasking with a Multimeter 316It’s a voltmeter! 317It’s an ammeter! 318Ohm my! It’s an ohmmeter, too! 318Exploring Multimeters 319Choosing a style: analog or digital 319Taking a closer look at a digital multimeter 320Homing in on the range 322Setting Up Your Multimeter 324Operating Your Multimeter 325Measuring voltage 326Measuring current 327Measuring resistance 329Running other multimeter tests 336Using a Multimeter to Check Your Circuits 336Chapter 17: Putting Projects Together 339Getting What You Need Right Off the Bat 340Creating an LED Flasher Circuit 340Exploring a 555 flasher 341Building the LED flasher circuit 343Checking your handiwork 345Creating an LED Bike Flasher 346Catching Intruders with a Light-Sensing Alarm 347Assembling the light alarm parts list 349Making your alarm work for you 350Playing the C-Major Scale 350Scaring Off the Bad Guys with a Siren 353Scoping out the 555 siren parts list 354How your warbler works 354Building an Audio Amp with Volume Control 355Creating Light Chasers 357Building Light Chaser 1 358Building Light Chaser 2 360Red Light, Green Light, 1-2-3! 361Part 4: The Part of Tens 365Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Explore Electronics Further 367Surfing for Circuits 367Getting a Jumpstart with Hobby Kits 368Simulating Circuit Operation 368Scoping Out Signals 368Counting Up Those Megahertz 369Generating a Variety of Signals 369Exploring Basic Computer Architectures 369Microcontrolling Your Environment 370Getting a Taste of Raspberry Pi 370Try, Fry, and Try Again 371Chapter 19: Ten Great Electronics Parts Sources 373North America 373All Electronics 374Allied Electronics 374Digi-Key 374Electronic Goldmine 374Jameco Electronics 375Mouser Electronics 375Parts Express 375RadioShack 376Outside North America 376Premier Farnell (UK) 376Maplin (UK) 376What’s RoHS Compliance? 377New or Surplus? 377Glossary 379Index 389