Contact Page

There are three possible methods on how you are able to contact me which are the following:

Yahoo Mail

You can directly contact me on my email account which is elmozugwalt@ymail.com. This is an email account that I have created under the Yahoo free services. The best part of using them is that they offer unlimited amount of storage which is very useful on my part where I often upload memorable photos.

Gmail is another good and free email provider which is owned by google. I do have created an account but I wish to let it remain private to avoid getting mails from the spammers. Anyway, contacting me through this method is the best way to reach me and attend to your concern.

Kontact

This is an interesting free service that provides you a contact form allowing you to send your concern directly to my mail. You mail will rest assured to be delivered on my Inbox and not on the Spam folder. I have been receiving too much mail spam lately and I might have mistakenly deleted some of your concerns. If any of your concerns are not answered then don’t hesitate to send it again for the second time.

The Comment Form

Posting a Comment is the easiest method to share your own opinion. However, there are some policies that you need to follow because comments are moderated by me. You need to stick with the discussions and promoting products or referrals links are not allowed. Comments with such intentions are automatically sent to the trash.

Tweeter and other Services

Currently, I have only implemented Tweeter. You can visit my profile and check the latest post and update about Electronics and Circuits blog. You are also free to post a few texts where I might be able to check them for some period of time. There are other more free services out there such as the Face Book which is the most popular social networking community and they will soon be added on any of the future updates.

What is the purpose of this Contact Page?

I have created this page for the purpose of providing you my contact details where you are free to send any of your concern, questions, issues or anything which is related about the main topic of this blog - Electronics and Circuits. Those that I have provided above are the current possible method to reach me and expect an immediate reply. Sometimes, it could take a couple of days where I’m might be busy with my work or something else.

All services that I’m using on this blog are free which mean that using them as well will cost you nothing but simply to register an account if you do not have any yet. Registration will only take a few minutes of your time and the most important information that you need to store and remember are your Username and Password.

The Characteristics of Resistors

Components that are considered as “Passive” means that they do not rely on power and such component are the resistor, capacitor, and inductors. There’s more other type of passive components but the focus of this discussion is all about resistors.

Circuit designing is a complicated task where you are puzzled on defining the right value of resistors that are to be used.

Resistors are available on the market with a cheap price and there are thousand of them with different characteristics and specification.

The function of a resistor on the circuit is to provide resistance where it limits the flow of electrons depending on the specification of the component. For this reason, it can be used through different applications. Other than its ability to provide resistance, it is can also limit the flow of current, adjust voltage levels and etc…

The following are the properties of resistors: Tolerance, voltage rating, power rating, temperature rating, frequency response, and temperature coefficient.

Let’s explain the properties of a resistor one at a time starting from the tolerance. This is the value of the resistor or the range on where it can vary. The common parameters are 1%, 5% and 10%. You may find that there are other resistors that their tolerance falls below the one percent value and they are categorized as Precision type of resistors.

The voltage rating of a certain circuit can be safely adjusted or drop through the application of a resistance. Power rating is simply the amount of power consumed by the resistor. It is highly suggested to use a resistor with a power rating value over than what is exactly required.

Temperature rating is the range of the device where it can operates normally. Exceeding the limit will cause the resistor to be damaged or burnt. Finally, the frequency response is simply the change in impedance. The changes on the value of impedance depend on the function of the circuit.

Buying a resistor on the market will require you to provide them the exact amount of value as discussed on the previous paragraphs. However, before even trying to purchase them you need to make sure that they are particularly needed on your project.

Summary of the Characteristics of Resistors

Here are the following list of basic characteristics of resistors;

1. Resistance
2. Power
3. Temperature Coefficient
4. Noise
5. Inductance

Important Privacy Policy

Reading this Important Privacy Policy entitles you to know your safety while browsing on this blog. You have to know that it is my primary duty to protect your information and let you have the best browsing experience while on my site. However, there are several links scattered around the pages where you can find them on the side bar, footer and on the body of the article. If you intend on visiting an internal link which is still under the main domain of this blog then your safety is still under my area of responsibility. The jurisdiction of this Privacy Policy is limited when you have clicked an external link pointing to another website. It’s another task on your part where you have to read their on policies which might be different on what’s stated here.

This blog is entitled “Basic Electronics and Circuits” and it contains third advertising companies where they offer related advertisement which can be in the form of an image or text. They will be collecting some information on your computer which is known as the “Cookies” which simple contains details regarding about your visit. This will allow them to provide you better ads that will correspond basing on what you are trying to search.

Respecting your Privacy Policy is of my primary concern and the following are the services that I use to collect data on this blog:

Google Analytics

This is the best free web tool that allows anyone to track the number of visit from their website or blog. It has the capability to track the IP, Country, Entry Page, Exit Page, Visit Duration, Type of Browser Used and etc... Google Analytics is continuously improving their services and additional data that maybe able to acquire in their future updates. To learn and know about these complete data being gathered by Google Analytics, you should visit their website here. Or, you may also want to read Google Analytics' Privacy Policy page.

Google Webmaster Tool

Google Webmaster Tool or GWT is an important tool for all website owners. Just like Google Analytics, it also collects data from visitors but the primary purpose of this tool is to allow webmaster to find errors (particularly in SEO related issues) into their website and fix it.

Cookies

Visiting a certain website might generate a cookie file on your temporary folder. It simply consists of a very small size of file containing unreadable texts which are encrypted. If it happens that one of the advertisers on this blog generates a cookie then it’s too sad to say that I do not have any idea on how to interpret the text. The best method is to visit the advertiser’s website and read about their policies or contact the administrator and ask about the issue.

Cookies is best further explained by Google on their site which is here.

Links to the External Sites

You will notice that I have a few External Links on the side bars or on the body of the article. I have linked them because they are of the related topics that might help you more in providing the information that you need. Visiting them will make the Privacy Policy of this blog no longer valid where the sites that you have visited have their own set of rules and policies to be followed.

Preferred Advertising Companies

It is really a great offer to earn money online through blogging. I aim to monetize this blog on my preferred Advertising Companies which are the Google Adsense and Amazon.

When it comes to Google Adsense, their advertisers will most likely serve ads that automatically generate cookie files on your computer. To learn more about these cookie files, I suggest that you should read Google Adsense Privacy Policy page.

Feedburner

Feedburner is an email subscription service where it requires registration of your email.

Contact

If you have encountered any problems while browsing through the pages of this blog or you simply have an issue that you wish to be personally clarified by me then you can always contact me on my email address which is elmozugwalt@ymail.com.

GDPR

EU's GDPR or General Data Protection Regulation made us bloggers or webmaster declare on this Privacy Policy about how we collect data from your visits which I believe that I already covered everything above. If somehow you do not want any of the data being collected from your visit then you can contact me then send the details and I will delete it myself.

Good Luck!

,

Elmo

About Basic Electronics and Circuits

This blog focuses on the contribution of valuable information about Electronics and Circuits. It will be providing topics that discuss about projects and explanations about the basics. Advance topics are also discussed but they are to be explained in a manner that even beginners could possibly understand. New individuals who wish to learn about this field should be given the primary importance to clearly grasp the topic.

For the Benefit of all Beginners

You will be able to learn the basics of electronics by understanding how a certain component works. Such components are Resistors, Diode, Transistors and etc… The functions and their uses are clearly explained to let you have an idea on how they work and operate.

Doing your projects doesn’t end up by simply understanding everything about Electronic Devices that are mentioned above. You must have the skill of handling the Soldering Iron or other tools for manually building your projects. If you failed on your first attempt then you have to keep on practicing as these skills can only be gained through experience.

Beginners will learn how to read circuit diagrams and design their own simple project. Reading blueprints is very important because it acts as your main guide for successful constructions. Most problems encountered are misinterpretation of reading the circuit diagram. Today, there are hundreds of software programs that you can use on your computer to aid you on your design.

Safety is also discussed on this blog with regards about the constructions of projects. Electronics involves the use of Electricity which can be dangerous when you do not know what you are doing. You will be guided on how to segregate your items and organize your tools.

For the Benefit of all Advance hobbyist

No matter how good you are, there might still be something that you do not know yet and this blog could contain that information. However, I suggest that you can also share your own knowledge and interest by participating on the discussions through the comment form.

Moreover, if you have any questions or related concern about this blog then you are always free to send them on my email account which is provided on the Contact page. You can also use the Contact button located on the right side menu.

About Me

You have just landed on the page which is all about me.

I’m popularly known as Elmo but I am really sorry not to tell you my real name to protect my identity which can be misused by others. Anyway, the reason that I have an Electronic Blog is that I have great knowledge about this topic. If you have any problems about your project then feel free to ask me about it. I will gladly provide my feedback basing on my knowledge and experience.

My Educational Background

I took-up Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering. It is a five year course program that has taken me almost six years to finish. Through the years of my studies, Electronics and Circuits are my most favorite subjects where I have good scholastic records on them. There are also several projects that are involve but they don’t provide any challenge at all on my part. Perhaps it’s the reason that I already have an experience since my childhood days.

The course didn’t only introduce the field of Electronics and Circuits but other related subjects as well such as Computers, Electrical, Drawing, Communications, Microprocessors and etc… Other than these major subjects, I have undergone minor subjects as well which are provided on the first to third year levels.

If you wish to take up an Engineering course, you must have good mathematical and analytical skills because you will be solving problems that deal about logics and numbers. A good memory is also required because there are hundreds of formulas that you need to memorize including the conversion tables and other standard form of measurements.

Other than my great interest about Electronics, I also have the passion about computers especially programming on low level languages. I do already have some basic knowledge about Assembly Language, C++ and Turbo Pascal.

About my Daily Busy Job

I own a small company that manufactures electronic products such as Radio, Televisions Sets and other components that are commonly found around your house. It is currently being managed by a relative because I do not have the managerial skill to run the business and gain profitable results. All I have to do is to observe the quality of the products to minimize the so called manufacture defects. It is a complete boring type of job which leads me to decide and do blogging at the same time.

Projects that I have Successfully Built

There are several projects that I have built and they are all successfully working. One of the best among them all is the Power Recycler. Basing on the name, it recycles the power back into the source while it is currently being used. This is a very wonderful project that will surely help reduce the cost of your monthly Electric Bills. As I stated, there are more interesting projects that I’m willing to share on this blog.

Finally, the information that I can tell about me are endless so I will be ending this post on this last paragraph. If you have something that you need to ask more about me then I always welcome you to send your concern on my email address provided on the contact page.

Good Luck!

How do Circuit Breakers Work?

It is highly important that any structure that uses electrical power needs to be have a Circuit Breaker because this device protects any problems especially when the wires are short-circuited for some reasons. Rats are one of the primary causes of electrical failures because they can bite or wet the active wires. This will cause power-failure and the worse part is when it accidentally shorted which can generate fire.

To fully understand how Circuit Breakers do work is that you must understand the three characteristics of electricity which are the Voltage, Current and Resistance. The voltage is the pressure or the power of how strong the electric charge contains. Electricity travels through any conductors and wires are the most commonly used material for distribution. The behavior of how electricity flows on the wire is known as the Current. Finally, the resistance is the opposing effect of the conductor-material that reduces the effect of both Voltage and Current.

Circuit Breakers will automatically turn-off the power when it is able to detect any sudden increase of current that flows through the wires. It’s for this reason why they have current rating which specify the level that they can support. If the power is intentionally used for the lighting purposes then you can use lower rating such as 15 Amperes. But for those appliances or equipment that use excessive amount of power then you will need a higher rate of Circuit Breaker.

There are other electrical devices that can protect your safety against unexpected power accidents. One of them is the Power Surge that helps protect any of your Electronic Components from sudden fluctuation of electricity. Electric fluctuations can be caused by lightning or any technical maintenance.

Sound Waves and Vibrations

The primary methods for us to be heard are through talking, singing and shouting. There are even several gadgets or devices that serve as a medium. These are you television sets, radios and other electronic components around your surroundings.

But the question is, how does the sound reaches the listener?

The world that we are living consists of air and it is where the sound of our voices travels and spread around. As the sound travels through the air, it moves similar to a wave. This wave can be illustrated by imagining that you are on a beach viewing the water that moves back and forth.

The waves compose of tiny movements of air and this is referred as the “vibrations”. We can not see with our naked eyes the presence of a vibration but we can sense it through our sense of hearing or it can be felt.

Some might not believe that vibrations can be felt and to prove this claim let’s have a short experiment.

You will simply need a piece of paper and a companion to help you out. If everything is ready, ask your friend or assistant to shout while use the piece of paper to block the sound. You will notice that the paper will move or vibrate. The bigger the paper you use the larger area of the sound waves are blocked which makes the vibration stronger. I guess that this is good enough as a proof that this invisible force can be felt through a medium.

Our electronics technology today uses sounds especially to inform or alert us where we need to take notice about. Your mobile phone will ring when somebody calls you even during the middle of the night. The same thing goes to your clock when you set it up for a certain time to wake you up. Even the toys are now popularly embedded with electronic components to play sounds which add more entertainment of playing them.

The Latest Electronic Technology to Buy

The holiday season is fast approaching which means, it is the perfect time to spend your hard earned money according to your needs. And at some point, you may have the urge to buy one of those latest and amazing model of an electronic technology which is either for self-use or as a gift to someone special.

The main reason why the holidays particularly the longest one which is during the Christmas to New Year is that, majority of shops will give promotions, free give-aways and large discounts. However, visiting into the shop can be quite hassle because you are not only one who wants to take advantage of those promotions. So if you do not want to go through such hassle then there is an alternative solution which buying from an online store.

I would like to recommend Amazon which is currently the biggest and most trusted online store today. You can actually buy almost any kind of item from them including perishable food products. Since I mentioned Amazon, I would like to inform you that I am an affiliate partner where I promote their products through this blog where I earn advertising fees for every products that got sold. More about this is explained on my Disclaimer Page.

Here are the following list of the latest electronic technology that you should consider buying:

1. High-Definition Television Sets

There is nothing more relaxing than sitting on your couch at home then watching your favorite movie or TV show. Aside from relaxing, it is also more fun if you are watching as a whole family. A Television Set is actually one of the common electronic devices that you can find in every household due to the entertainment value that it provides.

Today top manufacturers of Television Sets are multi-million dollar companies and there are several of them that are competing with one another. Some of these companies are Panasonic, Samsung, LG and Sony.

Before you buy a Television Set, it is a common practice that you need to know its features. If you are going to ask me, I would like to suggest a TV Set with good HDTV feature that has excellent shadow detail, anti-reflective screen, 1080p/24 cadence, accurate primary colors and provides access to the internet.

2. Digital Cameras

Preserve every bit of enjoyable experiences through your favorite cameras that can capture high quality of photos. In fact, cameras should be the number one the list because this is the only technology that is capable of preserving past events.

Today, digital cameras is the trend because unlike those old analog cameras, digital models has a lot of improvements. You can basically capture and store quite a lot of photos taken at a high-resolution. Other than that, high-end digital cameras have a lot of features particularly for enhancing your photo shots. These are apps or applications that allows you to edit that photos that you captured on your camera itself without connecting it into a computer.

3. Laptop

Laptops is now an important device for almost everyone dealing with complicated tasks relating to calculations, information and any other forms of paperwork or documents. Without it, you will surely be left behind especially when you are a student. Of course, a desktop computer also works just the same but with a laptop, it allows you to continue your work at any places due to its portability.

In the past, laptops were quite expensive that only few individuals can manage to afford it. But now, some of these gadgets are at an affordable price. You can even buy secondhand if you don't have enough budget that you can spend.

4. Desktop Computers

In comparison to laptops, a desktop computer can actually be more powerful like it can run games smoothly. However, you cannot carry these machines around and use it as you please due to their sizes and electrical power requirement.

5. Mobile Phones

Perhaps the most important technology that became a part of everyone's daily life on this generation of ours are the mobile phone devices. Through these gadgets, people can now communicate with one another no matter how far the distance between the two of them.

Due to high demand of mobile or cellar phones, many manufacturers came out into existence to compete with one another. As a result, there are many of these devices in the market that are available at very affordable prices.

Moreover, we are all aware that the best electronic technology to buy is the latest model because it has already undergone improvements and advance developments. But the main problem is that, brand new models are usually the most expensive ones as compared to their older versions. So if you are on a tight budget, you should purchase the secondhand or older model.

Our needs for electronic technologies can sometimes never be avoided that once it got broken, you need to immediately replace it such as your mobile phone. As a result, this cost could hurt your pocket. Therefore, the best way to save your expenses from electronic technologies is to learn how to properly take care of them so that they could serve you a longer and lasting period of time usage.

Using Electronics in Our Daily Life

What could our world be today if we don’t know anything about "Electronics"?

We do not have any cooking appliances that could help us in our kitchen, music that can keeps us entertained or any electronic components that we can rely on our daily life. Everything would be done manually which is tedious and more time spent all just to get the job done.

We are so really lucky today that the innovation of technology makes our daily life easy and simple. All we just have to do is to press buttons and the machines will do all the hard work for us. As a good example is the innovation of mobile or cellular phones which is the best gadget used to communicate other individuals particularly those that are far from your location. But in the past, they used post mail which could take several days for your letter to be received by your recipient.

Look Around You

Right now, try to look around you and identify every electronic components from your surroundings. I am pretty sure that there will be more than just one. If you are at home, you may have a Television Set, Radio, Microwave Oven, Refrigerator and etc... At school, you may have your laptop computer and calculator. And where ever you are, there is your personal mobile phone that some can't even live without it.

Mobile Phones, iPod and Tablets

When mobile or cellular phones got popularly introduced with the main purpose of providing immediate communication for all users, this technology made a huge leap in just a matter of few years where iPods and Tablets followed through. Now, through these amazing and sophisticated gadget, we have limitless access to various forms of media such reading this blog, watching videos, listening to your favorite music to purchasing product and services.

Wi-Fi and the Internet

Another one of the great breakthrough of our technology on this age of our generation is the internet. The internet is the one responsible for transferring data from the servers to your computer or vice-versa. This is why you can send private messages on your FaceBook or email accounts.

As for the Wi-Fi, this is another form of data communication but in its local form. Local means, the connection is limited to certain users particularly the owner and allowed users that he granted permission for access. Wi-Fi is actually a device that is more commonly used to distribute or share internet access to others via wireless means.

Digital Sound or Music

The invention of radios was already been a long time ago but all throughout those period of time, the room for improvement never stopped. Now, you can literally listen to all of your favorite music through a small device that you can carry with your hand or place it inside your own pocket. As compared to those old and traditional cassette tapes containing just a few number of songs, MP3 or MP4 portable players, smartphones and iPods can store hundreds or even thousand of sound tracks.

Digital Camera

Another electronic device that we commonly use in our daily live is a camera. I can say that this technology has an importance since it can actually preserve those unforgettable memories of the past. If you got kids then those photos you took from their younger age would be a treasure of the future. In the past, not so many people can own a camera because of its expensive price. You can also take very limited shots so errors or mistakes of capturing a photo must be avoided. Thankfully, we are so lucky today due to the invention of digital cameras. Through this device, you can take a lot photo shoots then choose the best ones that you want to keep and delete those that you don't like.

Smartphones, mobile phones, iPods, tablets and other similar devices now have built-in cameras (photo and video) in them. And currently, they are all competing in terms of providing the best or highest quality of resolution.

Food Industry

Food is actually a lot more important than electronics in our daily life. Without food, we won't be able to survive and thrive into this world. In the past, there was a huge issue with the food supply around the world due to the fast growing rate of human population. But through technology, machines got invented where we manage to cope up with those food demands. Today, these machines are now completely automated requiring less human intervention.

Science and Health

In the field of science, electronic technology is quite heavily used. All scientists actually rely on these technology allowing them to perform further research and observation that has never been done before. As for the health industry particularly at the hospital, there are a lot of machines (such as in the operating room) to help doctors and nurses be able to cure health problems.

As a conclusion, electronics has now become a part of our daily life on this current generation that we are living in.

Converting Voltage through Transformers

There are two major standard voltage rating that are being used around the world which is either 110 or 220 volts AC (Alternating Current). This is the type of current that is running or providing electrical energy from your wall outlets. It is actually dangerous to have a direct skin contact to this level of voltage current. There were already countless number of incidents resulting to major burnt injuries and even deaths. So parents or guardians, watch your children and pets not to mess with the outlets. Some outlets do have covers that can be flipped after you are done using it.

Now, what exactly is the reason why some people need to "convert voltage with a transformer"?

Let's say for example that you ordered a Television Set from the Amazon without realizing that it utilizes a voltage rating of 110 volts while your country uses a standard of 220 volts. If you are just too ignorant to plug it directly into you outlet, the excessive current can burn your brand new Television Set's power supply and perhaps the entire main circuit board. The solution to this issue is to either return the product or use a "Step-Down Transformer". Use a "Step-Up Transformer" for the opposite situation.

Step-Up and Step-Down Transformers

Step-Down Transformers are more commonly used by countries using a standard of 220 volts while Step-Up for countries using 110 volts. Therefore, voltage converters are mainly used for products that are manufactured from a different country with incompatible voltage rating from yours.

Electronic Components of a Voltage Converter

A voltage converter consists of electronic components such as resistors, capacitors and diodes which are capable of handling high amount of voltages that passes through them. But the main component is its transformer. I already have several experiences trying to disassemble a transformer just to check what they are made of. A common transformer is actually made of multiple metal plates with a shape of an E and | stuck firmly together. Then, a long copper coil wrapped around the holes of those piled metal plates.

The transformer is the one responsible for converting the voltage and current to a certain rating. There is a formula used for calculating the number of turns for the copper coil which is the basic but most crucial process when assembling a transformer. If the calculation or the number of turns is wrong then its voltage rating will give a different or inaccurate output.

DC Voltage Converter

A DC Voltage Converter is different from a Step-Up or Step Down Transformer. Step Up/Down Converters only converts voltage rating and not the current. This means that a converted AC current will still remain as an AC current. But for a DC Voltage Converter, most product has an AC input resulting into a converted DC voltage output.

Power Inverters

Power Inverter is the opposite of a DC Voltage Converter. It requires a DC input in order to produce an AC output. This electronic device is mostly used on cars or vehicles because these machines rely on their DC batteries. Through inverters, a vehicle can provide power to its head-lights, wipers, air-condition, sound stereos and etc...

Today, power inverters made its way for household use. There are now several companies that manufactures power inverters for home use resulting into lesser amount of monthly electrical bills for users to pay.

Uses of the Light Emitting Diodes

On every place that you go there is always the presence of light that are generated naturally by the sun or an electronic device. The presence of the sun is only during the day but when the night comes, we tend to use electricity. Bulbs or fluorescent are the devices that generate us light during the night. They require a wattage rating that ranges from 10 to 100. The 100 wattage bulb provides a brighter emission of light but it consumes a lot of electrical energy. If you are using a bulb or fluorescent light that has this amount of wattage then you have to expect paying a huge amount of your monthly electric bill. So if you want to reduce the cost of your electric bill then you have to choose light bulbs that have low wattage consumption.

Bulbs and fluorescent are actually two different devices even though that they both generate light. One of the main difference is that, bulbs emit a bright yellow color of light while the fluorescent generate a color of white-light. Another major difference that is important for you to know is that, fluorescent consumes or utilize way lesser amount of energy as compared to the traditional light bulbs. It is for this both reason why fluorescent is what's preferred and now being widely used today.

Light Emitting Diodes or LED

But aside from light bulbs and fluorescent, there is actually a miniature version of them which is mainly used in most electronic products. This component is called,"Light Emitting Diode" or "LED". Most people find them fancy due to their wide range of available colors to choose from. Light colors that are unique can be a bit more expensive than the standard color which are the red, green and yellow.

Power Rating of an LED

Unlike the light bulb and fluorescent which can only be powered an AC (Alternating Current), LEDs can only operate if powered by a DC (Direct Current). The standard voltage required for these electronic components in order to work is only 1 volt. There are a few of them requiring higher voltage ratings so its always best to confirm from the seller before buying.

Polarity

When it comes to utilizing DC current, it is always important to be aware about the polarity of the current which is the "positive" and "negative" (some call it "ground"). LED is a component consisting of polarity. This can be easily recognized by the length of their legs. The longer leg denotes the positive while the shorter one is the negative. Another method of checking polarity is by using a Voltage Current Meter tool or VOM. Set the dial setting to the highest ohm rating then randomly stick the test probes on the LED's leg. If it happens that you stick the test probes correctly on the right legs of the LED then it should light-up. Otherwise, it wont. But if it wont light-up even after switching the test probes, it probably mean that the LED is damaged or defective.

Soldering an LED

If you are an electronic enthusiast working on a certain project where you need to solder an LED to a PCB board, it is important for you to observe and apply just the right amount of heat temperature when soldering. You have to know that LED components can easily get damage if too much heat temperature is applied by the soldering iron. So if you are a complete amateur then you may want to ask some assistance to someone with experience doing it.

Schematic Symbol

The below image is the schematic symbol of an LED.

Common Usage

LEDs are commonly used as an indicator. If you are at home, try checking out the power button of every equipment or appliances that you have. You will notice that if you turn them ON or OFF, there is a small visible light indicating that the machine is ON or OFF. If you are using a desktop computer or a laptop for browsing the internet then you will notice several LEDs embedded on it. Each of them aren't actually just placed there for display purposes but each indicates something that provides information with regards to the operation of your machine.

And finally, if you are going to buy LEDs from a local store, it is always best to pronounce the letters L, E and D. Never mention the whole word LED because the seller might give you a different item which is mostly like a "lead". This actually happened to me ones and the seller got mad at me just for that simple mistake. You may just also mention the entire complete name of the item which is a light emitting diode.

Taking Care of your Electronics

All equipments, devices and gadgets that are made of electronic parts have the tendency to be broken or damaged and there are several of them at your home and office. I’m glad to be an Electronic Technician where I have the means of acquiring the necessary parts to repair or replace such damages.

The most common electronic device that we often carry around is "Cellular Phones" and "Laptops". We often use our Mobile Phones to contact our friends or a hot line for some emergency cases. While, laptops are commonly used by Businessman, Students or just anybody else. Thus, if you really want to take care of your electronic devices such as a laptop then you should buy protective covering from any unintentional damages such as accidentally bumping it on a hard object. The same thing goes to all mobile phone or small size gadgets.

Protective Covering

A good "protective covering" is actually one of the most important tool for every equipment or electronic devices that are always carried along by the user such as our example above. You just have to make sure that the covering can really deliver the necessary protection that your valuable electronic item needs.

Accidental damages do often occur more to smaller devices particularly, mobile phones. I have already seen several individuals who were probably careless where their gadgets slipped out of their hands. On some of those incidents that I happen to observe, some of them just literally got completely disassembled upon impact where all the parts got scattered around. The most unfortunate ones got their screen broken which happens if the device had a terrible landing on a hard surface of the ground.

Mobile phone manufacturers have already seen this issue so they immediately manufactured protective covers which can make the phones even more fancier to look at.

Protect Against the Thieves

Let's take laptop as an another example where thieves loves to steal from anyone especially someone who is just careless about placing or leaving their valuable things lying around especially in a populated area. You have to learn the fact that not all places are safe from thieves. So its always best to keep an eye on your stuffs or you can also ask a friend to look after it for you provided that you will come back for it in just a matter of few minutes.

Power Surge Protector

For household equipment or devices, a power surge protector is very important for protecting all of your electronic items at home. But for those who does not know may ask, "What is a power surge?"

A power surge is a sudden "huge spike" or "sudden increase" of voltage from your power source specifically, from your wall outlets. One good example why this happens is due to a lightning strike hitting the power line near you. Let's say that the normal voltage output from your wall outlet is 120 volts. But due to a power surge, it can go over 120 volts which could damage your electronic components. If the power surge is too high then it could start a fire which is the most dangerous and worst possible outcome.

Now through a power surge protector in place, if a sudden fluctuation of voltage occurs the excess energy will be absorbed and then redirected into the grounding wire which neutralizes it out completely.

Electronic Service Technician

If it happens that your electronic component is suddenly showing signs of not working properly or it completely malfunctioned then do not force it to work because it will surely not. Doing so will actually add further to the damage. Thus, if you have no knowledge about electronic repairs then it is best to call a service technician to fix it for you.

You have to know that electronic components are considered machines. It is a nature of every machine that when one of its parts got broken, the whole machine will stop or it can no longer function correctly. The only way to fix the problem is for a technician to replace the broken part.

Follow the Instruction from the Manual

Every electronic components comes with a manual complete with set of instructions on how to use and properly maintain them. It is basically important that you must read it because the manufacturers knows it best than a person who tries to figure it out for himself. Majority of manuals also give tips which provide a better user experience on the product in use.

Keep it Away from Children and Pets

Children and pets knows nothing much about electronic component so you have to keep it away from them. If it happens that your pet especially a cat manages to pee on your laptop and the urine got right into the circuit board then its over. Let's just hope that you got an external backup with all of your important files or documents. As for children, you will never know what they can do if they manages to grab your phone and play with it.

Keep them Clean

Finally, always properly clean your electronic components. For those that have complicated mechanical features, you have to refer to the manual on how to properly clean them. The cleaning instructions should be found at the maintenance section of the manual.

Recycling Electronic Junks

At any place, when you look around, you will realize that electronic devices are almost everywhere. In fact, you are already using one of them right now which is either your PC, Laptop, iPod or Mobile Phone in browsing the content of this blog. Even if you go into the mountain side, you can't live without electronic gadgets on your side.

The inventions of electronics actually made our generation achieve a more comfortable and less effort daily life styles. One good example is washing your laundry. In the past, people had to manually wash their laundries with their own hands. But today, we have "Washing Machine" that does the job for us.

Now, what if your old washing machine suddenly got broken and you replaced it with a new one. Did you know that by doing this, you are contributing to the pollution of our global environment?

Let's have a better example that is more damaging to our environment which are the mobile phones. This hand held device actually proves useful to our daily activities because it allows us to communicate to our families, friends and business associates at any given period of time. Thus, it is an electronic product that is always on high-demand in the market.

Judging from the looks of these small devices, they seem completely harmless to our environment. What you really do not know is that, mobile phones are made out of electronic components such as batteries, headphones, chargers, speakers and etc... One of the most damaging part of all devices is actually their batteries.

If you are going to look into the battery of your mobile phone, some manufacturers have placed some details about its harmful chemicals. By the time that your mobile phone got finally broken, you will most likely throw it away because it is now worthless and considered as an "electronic junk". Environmental pollution occurs when the harmful chemical of the batteries leaks out and seeps down into the earth. Worst case is that, when the trash containing the batteries are thrown into the bodies of water.

Thus, the best possible solution into this issue is donate (working unwanted electronics), proper recycling or disposal procedures.

1. Donating

If you have bought a new replacement of your old laptop then you should consider donating your replaced laptop to those who needs it. There are many non-profit organizations out there that needs computers particularly local schools.

2. Proper Recycling

If you think that you need some electronic parts to build or repair something then you should consider checking your electronic junks for any reusable components that you need. Through recycling, it can actually save you some money while helping the environment at the same time.

3. Proper Disposal Procedure

Electronic junks are unlike any ordinary garbage that you can just throw in the trash can. The best thing for you to do is to consult your local solid waste management district for the proper disposal procedure in your area.

What to do with your Common Electronic Junks?

Here are some suggestions on what you have to do with your common electronic junks:

1. Mobile Phones

An unused or out-of-date working mobile phones can be donated to people who needs them. If it no longer works then proper disposal is best advised.

2. Fluorescent Bulbs

It is important for you to know that fluorescent bulbs contains traces of mercury. So don't dump them in your household trash where it requires proper disposal.

3. Television Sets

Old outdated TVs are sadly not recyclable because the parts inside them are no longer re-usable. Thus, they are best disposed in a proper way.

4. Computers

As stated above, you can donate working computers that you no longer need or use. If not, it can be recycled because there are many metal parts that can be recovered and re-used.

5. Batteries

How batteries can pollute our environment has already been discussed above. So the best way to deal with batteries is through proper disposal procedures.

Moreover, due to the growing threat of environmental pollution contributed by electronic junks, some countries have now implemented laws about recycling policies. They made such law to let everyone become aware about electronic junks problem of the world.

What is Inside an Amplifier? | Transistors

In the field of electronics, when it comes to amplifiers it is basically referring to the component called, "transistors". The main use or function of these electronic component is simply to control the flow of electric current around the circuit.

Transistors actually have varied designs but you can easily distinguish them based from their three common terminals or legs. These three legs are commonly categorized as the base, collector and emitter.

Now, if we are going to look into a transistor's internal parts, it is actually made out of "silicon" materials. This is the same chemical element that can be found on the sands. Strangely, silicon is a type of material that does not conduct electricity (or non-conductor). In other words, current cannot flow through it. Yet, it is also very surprising to know that silicon is also not an insulator (does not allow current to flow through it).

To explain the mystery behind silicon materials used in transistors components, it is actually all about a process called "doping". This is a process of treating the silicon with impurities where it can behave in a different way.

Scientists have found out that when doping silicon with chemical elements such as arsenic, phosphorus or antimony, this makes the silicon gain some extra or free electrons. If this happens, electrons can naturally pass through it.

N-Type and P-Type

Silicon treated with impurities that allows the flow of electrons through it is classified as an "N-Type" (negative type) silicon. So if there is an N-Type transistor, there is also a "P-Type" (positive type) silicon. What actually makes a P-Type silicon different from the N-Type is the impurities used in the doping process on the silicon. These are chemical elements such as boron, gallium and aluminum. And as a result, the silicon receives less free electrons which causes them to flow into the nearby materials.

To sum it up, N-Type silicon possess "extra free electrons" which makes it increase its conductivity. On the other hand, P-Type silicon only have "less free electrons" which also increase its conductivity but in a manner of opposite way. Take note, "free electrons" are elements on the silicon material that helps carry the electric currents.

How Do Transistor Work?

As I already stated above, transistor works in a way by controlling the flow of current. In short, it works like a "switch". So as a switch, one part of the transistor only allows tiny amount of electrical current to flow but on the other part of it, it allows bigger amount of electrical current to pass through.

Other than a switch, a transistor also works as an "amplifier". By basic definition, amplifier means "a device that can increase or boost the signal". Thus, transistor can receive small amount of electrical current from its input then in return, it produces bigger amount of electrical current. Due to this reason, some people describe transistors as "current boosters".

Above images are the two common transistor schematic symbols.

To summarize everything up, a transistor is considered as a semiconductor that act as an amplifier or a switch. When it comes to its internal parts or composition, a transistor is made out of treated silicon materials.

Analog and Digital Multi Meters

One of the main tools of an electronic technician is a "Multi Meter" tool which can either be "Digital" or "Analog" device. The digital version is more commonly referred as the "DMM" (stands for Digital Multi Meter) while the analog version is known as the "VOM" (stands for Voltage Ohm Meter). Despite the difference, both of these device have the same purpose which is to measure different properties of electricity such as voltage, current and resistance.

Multi Meter tool either analog or digital needs to be adjusted by pressing the buttons or rotating the knobs into the type of unit that you would like to read. In order to make an actual reading of a certain component, you have to use the two wired pointers which is a red and black color probes (more commonly known as "test probes"). The red colored pointer actually indicates positive polarity while the black colored pointer is the negative polarity or ground.

Let's say for example that you are going to read the voltage rating of a certain battery. Before you do, you have to make sure that you set the tool into the its proper "voltage" setting.

Next step is to hold the wired pointers with your hands. One pointer on each of your hand. If you are a right-handed person then it's best to always handle the red or positive pointer on your right while your left hand holds the black or ground pointer.

Now, attach the tip of the red pointer into the positive side of the battery while the black pointer goes to the negative polarity. If it happens that you did your connections in an opposite way, you will get a negative reading. But if you did it correctly, the voltage rating of the battery that you tested can be read on the screen of your multi meter tool.

Speaking about the screen, the DMM screen will directly display the numerical output. However, VOM displays its output on a scale so you really need to have a good eyesight.

As a second example, I suggest that you should try to read a resistor this time. A resistor component does not have a polarity so feel free to attach your pointers to any of its two legs.

When using a DMM, you will notice that the numerical output value on its screen display hardly fluctuates in value. It is very unstable that you can't decide what exactly are the last decimal digits. Now when it comes to the VOM, the reading that you will get is a lot more stable in value.

Reading Negative Unit Values with your Multi Meter Tool

Let's go back to our battery example above. I have mentioned that when you attached the test probes in the wrong side or polarity of the battery, this will result into a negative value.

When using a VOM and let's say that you have mistakenly connected the test probes at the wrong sides of the battery, the needle on the scale will flip on the left side most indicating the value of "infinity" or "zero". But when it comes to the DMM, the output screen display will show the negative numeral voltage value of the battery.

Moreover, analog and digital multi meter tools have their own advantages and disadvantages. Based on my experience, I actually prefer to use the VOM for testing and trouble-shooting purposes. While, I use the DMM when working on something that really requires an accurate reading.

Using the Soldering Iron Properly and Safely

A soldering iron is a tool used for joining two metal pieces together by melting a soft metal alloy called solder. It is commonly used in electronics, plumbing, and metalworking applications. 

Soldering irons come in different sizes, shapes, and power ratings, depending on the type of soldering job to be done.

Using a soldering iron properly is important for achieving strong, reliable solder joints. 

A poorly soldered joint can lead to electrical or mechanical failure, which can cause damage to the equipment being soldered or even result in injury or fire hazard. 

Proper use of the soldering iron also ensures that the soldering process is efficient, precise, and cost-effective.

Safety is crucial when using a soldering iron, as it involves the use of high temperatures and molten metal. 

Without proper safety precautions, users can suffer from burns, inhalation of toxic fumes, and electrical shocks. 

Therefore, it is important to follow safety guidelines and use personal protective equipment when working with a soldering iron.

How to Properly use a Soldering Iron

Here are the following instructions on how to use your soldering iron tool in a proper and safe procedures:

1. Holding Your Soldering Iron Correctly

You must hold your soldering iron in a manner as if it's like a pen which is exactly the same thing when you are going to write something on a piece of paper. 

If this is your first time to handle this kind of tool then you are advised to avoid touching the tip because it's extremely hot. This could actually lead into a skin burn injury.

2. Heat Application

You must have a stable grip where you have to let tip of the iron touches the surface spot that needs heat application.

When it comes to electronic applications, technicians uses a "soldering lead" made out of tin and lead materials. 

If these two properties are combined together, they are called "flux" (The application of soldering lead is called "tinning").

Through those leads, electronic technicians are able to make connections between the components and right into the circuit boards.

3. Making Connections

Once you have plugged your soldering iron into the wall-outlet, you have to wait for a few seconds for the tip of the tool to heat up. 

Try to test the heat temperature of your tool by applying it on a lead. If it manages to melt the lead then it means that you can now use it.

When connecting a certain component into the circuit board, you should apply the right amount of lead into the joint connection. 

Once done, you will notice that the applied lead takes the form of a half-rounded shape shiny ball. Take note, do not touch it. Leave it for a few seconds to dry which makes the connections permanent.

4. Soldering Iron Holder

When you want to take a rest for awhile or you need to free your hand holding the soldering iron, it's best to place it on a "Soldering Iron Holder". 

Improper placement of this tool while it's hot or in use can cause injury or damages.

Desoldering Components

In electronic terms, "Desoldering" means removing a certain component from the circuit board by using the soldering iron. 

This process actually involves more challenge that some beginners may experience difficulty.

An important and useful tool for desoldering components is the "Soldering Sucker" or "Desoldering Pump". This is a tool that needs to be manually operated. 

And, it works by sucking in the flux. The sucking process must be performed at the same time while applying the soldering iron on the soldered lead.

Safety Precautions When Using a Soldering Iron

A. Personal Protective Equipment

When working with a soldering iron, it is important to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent injury. 

This includes safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris and solder splatters, as well as heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from burns. 

You should also wear clothing that covers your skin and avoid loose-fitting clothing that could catch on the soldering iron or other equipment.

B. Proper Ventilation

Soldering releases fumes that can be harmful if inhaled, so it is important to work in a well-ventilated area. 

This means opening windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate, or using a ventilation system like a fume extractor. Avoid working in confined spaces without proper ventilation.

C. Choosing the Right Soldering Iron

Different soldering irons have different wattages and temperatures, so it is important to choose the right one for the job. 

A higher wattage iron is best for soldering larger components, while a lower wattage iron is better for smaller components. 

Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you are using the soldering iron correctly.

D. Soldering Iron Maintenance

It is important to maintain your soldering iron properly to ensure it works correctly and safely. 

This includes regularly cleaning the tip of the soldering iron to remove any oxidation or debris that can affect its performance. 

You should also ensure that the cord is not frayed or damaged, and that the soldering iron is properly grounded.

E. Proper Handling of Soldering Iron

When not in use, always place the soldering iron on a heat-resistant surface and never leave it unattended. 

Never touch the tip of the soldering iron with your bare hands, as it can cause severe burns. 

When working with the soldering iron, always hold it by the handle and avoid touching the cord or other hot parts.

Common Mistakes When Using a Soldering Iron

A. Overheating the Soldering Iron

One of the most common mistakes when using a soldering iron is to overheat it. When the soldering iron is too hot, it can damage the components or circuit board being soldered. 

It can also cause the solder to melt too quickly and create a poor joint. 

To avoid overheating the soldering iron, it is important to use the right temperature setting and to allow the iron to cool down before putting it away.

B. Using the Wrong Type of Solder

Using the wrong type of solder can also lead to poor joint quality. Different solder types have different melting points, compositions, and fluxes. 

Choosing the right solder for the job is crucial to ensure a strong and reliable connection. 

For example, lead-free solder requires higher temperatures and longer heating times than traditional lead-based solder.

C. Not Allowing the Solder to Cool Properly

After applying solder to a joint, it is important to allow it to cool properly before moving or handling the component. 

If the joint is disturbed while the solder is still molten, it can create a "cold joint" or an incomplete connection that can fail over time. 

To prevent this, it is important to hold the component steady and avoid touching the joint until it has cooled down.

D. Not Cleaning the Soldering Iron Properly

A dirty or corroded soldering iron tip can lead to poor heat transfer and oxidation, which can affect the quality of the joint. It is important to clean the soldering iron tip before and after each use. 

This can be done using a damp sponge or a brass tip cleaner. It is also important to tin the tip with fresh solder to protect it from oxidation and maintain its heat transfer capabilities.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your soldering projects are safe, effective, and reliable.

Most well-known manufacturers include

Here are the following most well-known manufacturer for soldering iron tools:

1. Weller

Weller is a leading manufacturer of soldering equipment and has been in business for over 70 years. 

They offer a wide range of soldering irons, including temperature-controlled irons, cordless irons, and specialty irons for specific applications.

2. Hakko

Hakko is a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in soldering and desoldering equipment. 

They offer a range of soldering irons, including digital temperature-controlled irons, cordless irons, and heavy-duty irons for industrial applications.

3. Metcal

Metcal is a US-based manufacturer that specializes in soldering and rework equipment for the electronics industry. 

They offer a range of high-performance soldering irons, including smart heat systems that adjust the power output based on the thermal demands of the application.

4. JBC 

JBC is a Spanish manufacturer that specializes in soldering equipment for industrial and professional use. 

They offer a range of soldering irons, including micro-soldering irons, precision soldering irons, and heavy-duty irons for industrial applications.

5. Pace

Pace is a US-based manufacturer that specializes in soldering and rework equipment for the electronics industry. 

They offer a range of soldering irons, including temperature-controlled irons, cordless irons, and specialty irons for specific applications.

6. Antex

Antex is a UK-based manufacturer that specializes in soldering and heating equipment. 

They offer a range of soldering irons, including temperature-controlled irons, cordless irons, and specialty irons for specific applications.

When choosing a soldering iron, it is important to consider factors such as the type of work you will be doing, the size of the components you will be working with, and your budget. 

It is also important to choose a reputable manufacturer that offers high-quality products and good customer support.

Therefore

The soldering iron is a very simple tool but it can cause injury when not properly used. Using a soldering iron properly and safely is essential to avoid accidents and ensure the quality of the soldered joint. 

Soldering irons are used to join two metals by heating them to a temperature where they melt and then applying solder to form a bond. 

When used improperly, a soldering iron can cause burns, electrical shocks, or even fires. Additionally, using a soldering iron incorrectly can result in a poor-quality solder joint that can break or fail over time.

By using a soldering iron correctly and safely, you can achieve better results, improve the longevity of your soldered connections, and avoid accidents. 

Proper use of a soldering iron also saves time, as it reduces the likelihood of needing to redo a solder joint due to errors or accidents.

To ensure safe and effective use of a soldering iron, always follow safety precautions, such as using personal protective equipment, choosing the right soldering iron, and maintaining it properly.

Additionally, it is essential to prepare the surface to be soldered and ensure the soldering iron is adequately heated before use. 

Avoid common mistakes, such as overheating the soldering iron, using the wrong type of solder, and not cleaning the soldering iron properly. 

By following these tips, you can use a soldering iron safely and effectively to create high-quality soldered connections.