Introduction to Electronics

What is Electricity

A fan contains a small battery, a couple of wires, a switch and an electric motor. If you turn the switch on, the motor will start to spin Battery is both a water reservoir and a pump, the switch is a tap, and the motor is one of those wheels that you see in watermills. When you open the tap, water flows from the pump and pushes the wheel into motion.

The hydraulic system

Increasing the size of the pipes allows a greater flow of water to go through them, effectively reduced the pipes' resistance to the flow of water. This approach works up to a certain point, at which the wheel won't spin any faster, because the pressure of the water is not strong enough. When we reach this point, we need the pump to be stronger.

The hydraulic system

This method of speeding up the watermill can go on until the point when the wheel falls apart because the water flow is too strong for it and it is destroyed.

Voltage, Current & Resistance

So when you read that a battery's voltage is 9 V, think of this voltage like the water pressure that can potentially be produced by this little "pump". The flow rate of water relates to current, and is measured in amperes. Finally, the resistance opposing the flow of current over any path that it travels is called resistance, and is measured in ohms. Relationship: A higher voltage (pressure) lets you spin a wheel faster; a higher flow rate (current) lets you spin a larger wheel. Ohms Law, V = IR

Basic Breadboarding

Solderless Breadboards are the best way to prototype an electronics project. Reusable, does not require any soldering, and is simple to use. Components fit perfectly into the breadboard, using simple jumper wires to create your circuits. Allows improvements, additions and rework.

Breadboards have small holes for jumper wires and components to be plugged into.

Warning! Solderless breadboards can be very flakey, especially as they age. If you're having problems with your circuit, it could be that the little metal clips on the inside aren't working well. Try poking it with your finger, or moving it to a different section.

Rows a to e are shorted horizontally (Green Line) Rows f to j are shorted (Blue Line) horizontrally The two rows (labeled a j) is divided by the centerline and are areas for your workspace. IC chips and microcontrollers fit across the centerline with jumper wires and components can connect to the same rows.

Notice the two outside rails on each side of the breadbroad labelled + and respectively These rails run down the board and can act as power rails to connect your power source to and supply voltage to your components. These are useful as Arduino only has one 5V voltage point and 3 ground points.

Wires/Jumpers

To use the breadboard, you'll need jumper wires. These are basically 22 gauge solid-core (not stranded) wires that are cut down and have the insulation pulled off. Special jumper connectors are supplied.

Schematic

A wiring diagram is also known as a schematic which is the standard method for people to trade information about circuits. Being able to read and write schematics is a key skill. Each electronic component has a schematic symbol, which is a simplified drawing of the part.

Components: LED

LED (Light Emitting Diode) What it Does: Emits light when a small current is passed through it. Leads: 2 (one longer, this one connects to positive) Things to watch out for: Will only work in one direction Looks like a mini light bulb. Requires a current limiting resistor

Resistors

What it Does: Restricts the amount of current that can flow through a circuit. Leads: 2 Things to watch out for: Easy to grab the wrong value Cylinder with wires extending from either end. The value is displayed using a color

Lighting Our Breadboard

A breadboard, LED and 330ohms resistor. Run one wire to the 5V socket on the Arduino and another wire to one of the GND sockets. Plug in the USB cable and watch the LED lights up

Important Note! While LEDs will not work when placed backwards, you don't have to worry about whether it will be damaged: as long as there is a series resistor of at least 100 ohms next to it, the LED will survive the experience! However, using an LED without a series resistor is a sure-fire way to kill it! (You'll see a bright flash and it may turn dark)

Construct Circuit 1

Construct Circuit 2