ELECTRONICS

What is Electronics?O Electronics is the study of flow of

electrons in various materials or space subjected to various conditions.

O The main focus of electronics remains the controlled flow of electrons through a medium.

Electronic ComponentsO An electronic component is any

basic discrete device or physical entity in an electronic system used to affect electrons or their associated fields.

O Components can be classified as passive, active, or electromechanic.

Active ComponentsO Active components rely on a

source of energy and usually can inject power into a circuit, though this is not part of the definition.

O Active components include amplifying components such as transistors, triode vacuum tubes (valves), and tunnel diodes.

DiodeO  allows current to pass in one

direction while blocking it from passing the opposite direction.

LED (Light-emitting Diode)

O  a device that produces light.

Varactor DiodeO variable capacitor which stores

energy and controlled by voltage.

Zener DiodeO allows current to pass in the opposite

direction after the circuit reaches a certain threshold (for example, it can conduct after voltage reaches -5v).

PhotodiodeO A photodiode is a type of photo

detector capable of converting light into either current or voltage,

O Used in solar cells

TransistorO A transistor is a semiconductor

device used to amplify and switch electronic signals and electrical power.

BatteryO  provides voltage

Power SupplyO usually a mains hook-up

Passive ComponentsO Passive components can't

introduce net energy into the circuit. They also can't rely on a source of power, except for what is available from the (AC) circuit they are connected to. Although they may increase a voltage or current.

ResistorsO produces opposition to current flow.

The amount of resistance (resistor value) determines how much current can flow through a resistor.

Potentiometer /Variable Resistor

O a resistor whose resistance value is not fixed and can be adjusted.

PhotoresistorO light sensing resistor whose

resistance decreases as light intensity increases.

ThermistorO a temperature sensing resistor

whose resistance increases or decreases based on changes in temperature.

ThyristorO acts as a switch, conducting when it

receives current trigger and continues to conduct while it is forward biased.

CapacitorO stores charge and used to filter

signal. A capacitors storage capacity can be fixed or adjustable.

Variable CapacitorO a capacitor whose charging capacity

is not fixed and can be adjusted.

InductorO stores energy in a magnetic field and

opposes change in current.

TransformerO amplifies or reduces energy.

BreadboardO a board that can be used to

construct a circuit which does not require soldering. It has holes where components can be pushed in.

Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

O a board that can be used to construct a circuit which requires soldering.

Electromechanical Components

O Electromechanical components can carry out electrical operations by using moving parts or by using electrical connections

Cable AssembliesO Cables with connectors or terminals

at their ends

O Ex. Power Cord

SwitchO a device used to break or complete

the current path.

RelayO a switch that is designed to trigger

another switch.

Circuit BreakerO  switch designed to

protect an electrical circuit from overload. When the circuit breaker senses an overload in voltage or current it switches off to discontinue electrical flow to the rest of the circuit.

Tools and Equipments in Electronics

ScrewdriversOare hand tools specifically designed to insert and tighten, or to loosen and remove screws.

Types of Screwdrivers

Slotted ScrewdriverOis used to drive or fasten

negative slotted screws.

Phillips ScrewdriverO is used to drive or fasten positive

slotted screws. It is a screwdriver that could take greater torque and could provide tighter fastenings.

Jeweler's Screwdriver Set

is a set of small screw drivers composed of

slotted and Phillips screwdrivers.

Soldering Tools

Soldering IronO is a device for applying heat to melt

solder in attaching two metal parts. A soldering iron is composed of a heated metal tip and an insulated handle. For electrical work, wires are usually soldered to printed circuit boards, other wires, or small terminals. A low-power iron (20-30 Watts) is suitable for this work.

Soldering Tool StandO is a place where the soldering iron is

placed during usage. This will keep the soldering iron away from flammable materials. The stand often comes with a sponge used in cleaning the tip of the soldering iron.

Desoldering toolO is used in removing soldered wires

and components on printed circuit boards for troubleshooting and repair purposes.

Splicing Tools

Long NoseO is used for holding, bending, and

stretching the lead of electronic component or connecting wires.

Side CutterO is a wire-cutting pliers, though they

are not used to grab or turn anything, but are used to cut wires.

Wire StripperO is a pair of opposing blades much

like scissors or wire cutters. The addition of a center notch makes it easier to cut the insulation without cutting the wire.

Boring Tools

12V Mini-DrillO is used to bore or drill holes in the

printed circuit board (PCB) with sizes from 1/32” – 1/16”.

Portable Electric Drill

O is used for boring hole(s) in plastic or metal chassis with the use of drill bits having sizes from 1/6” to approximately 1/4”.

Metal FilesO These are hand tools having a series of sharp,

parallel ridges or teeth. Most files have a narrow, pointed tang at one end to which a handle can be fitted.Round File -

is also called rat-tail file which is gradually tapered andused for many tasks that require a round tool, such as enlarging roundholes or cutting a scalloped edge.

Flat File is parallel in width and tapered in thickness; they are used for flatsurfaces and edges.

Half Round File is tapered in width and thickness, coming to a point, andis narrower than a standard half round and used for filing inside of rings.

Cutting Tools

Utility Knifeis a common tool used in cutting

various trades and crafts for a variety of purposes.

HacksawO is used for cutting metals. Some have pistol

grips which keep the hacksaw firm and easy to grip. The small hand-held hacksaws consist of a metal arch with a handle that fits around a narrow, rigid blade.

Auxiliary Tools

Magnifying GlassO is a convex lens which is used to produce a

magnified image of an object. The lens is usually mounted on a frame with a handle. Roger Bacon is the original inventor of the magnifying glass. A magnifying glass works by creating a magnified virtual image of an object behind the lens. Some magnifying glasses are foldable with built-in light.

Paint BrushO is a type of brush made of bristles

set in handle, used for cleaning dirty parts of a circuit or an object aside from using it for painting.

Electronic equipment

OscilloscopeO An oscilloscope (commonly abbreviated

CRO, for cathode-ray oscilloscope, or scope) is a piece of electronic test equipment that allows signal voltages to be viewed, usually as a two dimensional graph of one or more electrical potential differences (vertical axis) plotted as a function of time or of some other voltage (horizontal axis).

Signal generatorOA signal generator is a device which

produces simple wave forms.