The Basics Electronics

To familiarise yourself with electronics To have an understanding of how and why we test electronic circuits. To complete a test sheet for the bike light circuit. Lesson Objectives

Resistors What do they do? Resistor oppose the flow of current by producing a voltage drop between its two terminals. The value is determined by the coloured rings.

Capacitors What do they do? When a potential difference (voltage) exists between the conductors, an electric field is present in the area between the plates. This field stores energy and produces a mechanical force between the plates.

Diode What do they do? Allow current to only flow in one direction. This is shown as the direction of the arrowhead. A small amount of reverse voltage can be applied, but too much and the diode will not function. AC

L.E.D What do they do? Allow current to only flow in one direction. This is shown as the direction of the arrowhead. When current flows through the component light is ‘emitted’. A C

Resistor Colour Codes

ComponentSymbolPictureFunction Fixed ResistorRestricts the flow of current. Variable Resistor LDR Thermistor Fixed Capacitor Variable Capacitor Electrolytic Capacitor 555 IC Switch – Push to Make Switch – On/Off (SPST) LED Diode Loud Speaker Battery Transistor

What To Look For Types Of Equipment FAULT FINDING

FAULT FINDING – VISUAL CHECKS SOLDERING POLARISATION DAMAGE If the component is not connected to the PCB then it will not function. Also check for solder crossing onto another component (a SHORT) as this will affect the circuit. Ensure that each component has been put in correctly according to its connection, i.e. positive and negative legs. Take care when putting in components so that you do not damage them. +ve & –ve legs

IMPORTANT ALWAYS disconnect the multimeter before adjusting the range switch. ALWAYS check the setting of the range switch before you connect to a circuit. NEVER leave a multimeter set to a current range (except when actually taking a reading). EQUIPMENT - MULTIMETER Select a range with a maximum greater than you expect the reading to be. Connect the meter, making sure the leads are the correct way round. If the reading goes off the scale: immediately disconnect and select a higher range.

For this new battery we get a reading of 9.6V. Remember that the battery voltage "9V" is just an average voltage. If the range is set to les than 9V the reading will only show as “1” MULTIMETER V We can start by measuring a 9V alkaline battery. Fix the range so that it's 20V, and try again. SET AT 2V SET AT 20V VOLTAGE

MULTIMETER VOLTAGE Connected in PARALLEL between two points Connect the BLACK (-ve) lead to 0V (Normally the negative terminal of the battery or power supply.) Connect the RED (+ve) lead to the point you need to measure the voltage. V

MULTIMETER CURRENT Connected in SERIES Therefore the Circuit needs to be broken All the current following through the circuit must pass\through the multimeter. A

MULTIMETER RESISTANCE Ω You can only test resistance when the device you're testing is not powered. You can only test a resistor before it has been soldered into a circuit. Resistance is non-directional You can switch probes and the reading will be the same.

CONTINUITY IF THE TWO POINTS ARE CONNECTED THERE IS A READING Ω Test 1 shows that the two points are not connected. Test 2 shows that these two points are connected

OSCILLOSCOPE Voltage Time An Oscilloscope displays a Vt graph of voltage against time. An Oscilloscope is a type of electronic test equipment that allows signal to be viewed, usually as a two-dimensional graph. Normally these are very small signal values The Oscilloscope has three main areas, the screen, vertical section and horizontal section. You do not need to worry about the trigger, we set this to AUTO!

OSCILLOSCOPE – SWITCHING ON Plug the oscilloscope into the main and switch on using the Green POWER Button The red LED will light up Alter the INTENSITY and FOCUS accordingly using the small screwdriver

OSCILLOSCOPE - SCREEN The screen displays the signal to us as voltage against time. The screen is shown as a grid, which relates to the settings we choose later. When switched on you can see the dot/line on the screen When working it has a resemblance to an electrocardiograph (ECG)

OSCILLOSCOPE – VERTICAL SECTION The vertical section allows us to change the Voltage setting which the oscilloscope uses. The VERT VAR dial allows us to alter the magnitude of the setting. This must start out fully Anticlockwise The POSITION dial allows us to alter the level of the output line The VOLTS/DIV dial allows us to change the increments of the grid Here the setting is 0.5V on the VOLTS/DIV dial

OSCILLOSCOPE – HORIZONTAL SECTION The horizontal section allows us to change the Time (time base) setting setting which the oscilloscope uses. The SWP VAR dial allows us to alter the magnitude of the output. This must start out fully Anticlockwise The POSITION dial allows us to alter the level of the output line The TIME/DIV dial allows us to change the increments of the grid Here the setting is 0.1ms on the TIME/DIV dial

A logic probe is a hand-held pen-like probe used for analyzing and troubleshooting the logical states (Boolean 0 or 1) of a digital circuit. There are usually three different coloured LEDs on the probe's chassis; A RED and GREEN LED indicate high and low states respectively An AMBER LED indicates a pulse LOGIC PROBE If you get a steady light you have found your + or – voltage. If blinking you have found a pulsed or switched signal.