Basic Electronics

C E DRI C H . M O NT I A NO, E C E , E C T
Types of electrical signals:
Alternating Current- the direction electricity flows throughout the circuit is constantly reversing.
The rate of reversal is measured in Hertz, which is the number of reversals per second. AC is
used to deliver power to houses, office buildings, etc.
Direct Current

- Electricity flows in one direction between power and ground.

- Provides a constant voltage or current.
Circuits
CLOSED, OPEN, AND SHORT CIRCUITS
You need a closed path, or closed circuit, to get electric current to flow. If there’s a break
anywhere in the path, you have an open circuit, and the current stops flowing
A short circuit is a direct connection between two points in a circuit that aren’t supposed to be
directly connected, such as the two terminals of a power supply.
Basic Components
1. Resistors
- As the name implies, resistors add
resistance to the circuit and reduces the flow of
electrical current.

-The different markings on the resistor represent

different values of resistance. These values are
measured in ohms.
Capacitors
- A capacitor is a component that stores electricity and then discharges it into the circuit when
there is a drop in electricity.
- Capacitors are measured in Farads.
Diodes
A diode is a two-terminal electronics component that conducts current primarily
in one direction It has low (ideally zero) resistance in one direction, and high
(ideally infinite) resistance in the other.
Switches

A switch is a mechanical device that creates a break in a circuit. When you activate the switch, it
opens or closes the circuit. This is dependent on the type of switch it is.

Normally open (N.O.) switches close the circuit when activated.

Normally closed (N.C.) switches open the circuit when activated.