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A Beginner's Guide to Circuits

A Beginner's Guide to Circuits

by Øyvind Nydal Dahl
Publisher: No Starch Press
Release Date: October 2018
ISBN: 9781492069447
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Book Description

A Beginner's Guide to Circuits is the perfect first step for anyone ready to jump into the world of electronics and circuit design.



First, you’ll learn to read circuit diagrams and use a breadboard, which allows you to connect electrical components without using a hot soldering iron! Next, you’ll build nine simple projects using just a handful of readily available components, like resistors, transistors, capacitors, and other parts. As you build, you’ll learn what each component does, how it works, and how to combine components to achieve new and interesting effects.



By the end of the book, you’ll be able to build your own electronic creations. With easy-to-follow directions, anyone can become an inventor with the help of A Beginner’s Guide to Circuits!



Build These 9 Simple Circuits!



• Steady-Hand Game: Test your nerves using a wire and a buzzer to create an Operation-style game!
• Touch-Enabled Light: Turn on a light with your finger!
• Cookie Jar Alarm: Catch cookie thieves red-handed with this contraption.
• Night-Light: Automatically turn on a light when it gets dark.
• Blinking LED: This classic circuit blinks an LED.
• Party Lights: Throw a party with these charming string lights.
• Railroad Crossing Light: Danger! Don’t cross the tracks if this circuit’s pair of lights is flashing.
• Digital Piano: Play a tune with this simple synthesizer and learn how speakers work.
• LED Marquee: Put on a light show and impress your friends with this flashy finale.

Table of Contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  6. ABOUT THE TECHNICAL REVIEWER
  7. BRIEF CONTENTS
  8. CONTENTS IN DETAIL
  9. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  10. INTRODUCTION
    1. THE CIRCUITS
    2. THE MATERIALS
    3. HOW TO BUILD THE CIRCUITS IN THIS BOOK
  11. BUILD YOUR FIRST BREADBOARD CIRCUIT
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. BUILDING THE CIRCUIT
    4. WHAT IF THE LED DOES NOT LIGHT UP?
    5. YOU’RE READY TO BUILD THE NINE CIRCUITS!
  12. PROJECT 1: THE STEADY-HAND GAME
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. ABOUT THE CIRCUIT
    4. COMMON MISTAKES
    5. A QUIET ALTERNATIVE
  13. PROJECT 2: THE TOUCH-ENABLED LIGHT
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. INTRODUCING THE TRANSISTOR
    4. ABOUT THE CIRCUIT
    5. COMMON MISTAKES
    6. HOW THE CIRCUIT WORKS
  14. PROJECT 3: THE COOKIE JAR ALARM
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. ABOUT THE CIRCUIT
    4. COMMON MISTAKES
    5. HOW THE CIRCUIT WORKS
  15. PROJECT 4: THE NIGHT-LIGHT
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. ABOUT THE CIRCUIT
    4. COMMON MISTAKES
    5. HOW THE CIRCUIT WORKS
  16. PROJECT 5: THE BLINKING LED
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. ABOUT THE CIRCUIT
    4. COMMON MISTAKES
    5. HOW THE CIRCUIT WORKS
  17. PROJECT 6: THE RAILROAD CROSSING LIGHT
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. ABOUT THE CIRCUIT
    4. COMMON MISTAKES
    5. HOW THE CIRCUIT WORKS
  18. PROJECT 7: THE PARTY LIGHTS
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. ABOUT THE CIRCUIT
    4. COMMON MISTAKES
    5. HOW THE CIRCUIT WORKS
  19. PROJECT 8: THE DIGITAL PIANO
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. ABOUT THE CIRCUIT
    4. COMMON MISTAKES
    5. HOW THE CIRCUIT WORKS
  20. PROJECT 9: THE LED MARQUEE
    1. THE CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
    2. THE PARTS LIST
    3. ABOUT THE CIRCUIT
    4. COMMON MISTAKES
    5. HOW THIS CIRCUIT WORKS
  21. WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
  22. RESISTOR COLOR CODES