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.

Blackberry Mobile Phone

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.

Auto Transformer

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.

Light Emitting Diode

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.

Mobile Protective Pouch

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.

Electronic Junks

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.

Transistor Amplifier

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.

Digital Multi-Meter

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.

VOM Multi-Meter

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.