book

Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies®

by H. Ward Silver

February 2008

Beginner

390 pages

10h 19m

English

For Dummies

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What You're Not to ReadAssumptions About YouHow This Book Is OrganizedPart I: Working Basics for Electronic-ersPart II: Building CircuitsPart III: Cables and ConnectorsPart IV: Measuring and TestingPart V: Maintaining Electronic EquipmentPart VI: The Part of TensGlossaryBonus ChaptersConventions and IconsWhere to Go from Here
1.1. Basic Tools for Building Circuits1.1.1. Safety and visibility1.1.2. Pliers and tweezers1.1.3. Cutters and knives1.1.4. Screwdrivers and wrenches1.1.5. Drills and drill bits1.1.6. Special electronic tools1.1.7. Measuring sticks1.2. The Solderless Breadboard1.2.1. Using a breadboard1.2.2. Breadboard materials1.2.3. Limitations of breadboards1.2.3.1. Current and voltage limits1.2.3.2. Frequency limit1.2.3.3. Contact wear-out1.3. Your Notebook1.4. Software Tools1.4.1. Schematic and PC board layout1.4.2. Electronic simulators1.4.3. Mechanical drawing software1.4.4. Utilities and calculators
2.1. Basic Metalworking2.2. Making a Practice Panel2.3. The Joy of Soldering2.3.1. Soldering tools and materials2.3.1.1. Soldering stations2.3.1.2. Soldering iron tips2.3.1.3. Solder and flux2.4. Introduction to Soldering2.4.1. Learning to solder with a kit2.4.2. Desoldering2.5. Making Sense of Schematic Diagrams2.6. Reading a Schematic
3.1. Breadboarding an Audio Amplifier3.1.1. Deciphering the amplifier schematic3.1.2. How the audio amplifier works3.2. Breadboarding a Digital Timer3.2.1. Digital timer schematic3.2.2. How a digital timer works3.3. Constructing the Audio Amplifier3.4. Testing the Audio Amplifier Circuit3.5. Constructing the Digital Timer

4.1. Getting Your Workspace Ready4.2. Putting a Through-Hole PC Board Together4.3. Building a Surface-Mount PC Board4.4. Constructing the Through-Hole Board4.5. Constructing the Surface-Mount Board
5.1. Building an Audio Level Controller5.2. Building a 12V-to-5V Regulator5.3. Building an Audible Alarm5.4. Constructing the Level Controller5.5. Constructing the Regulator5.6. Constructing the Alarm
6.1. Preparing to Build6.2. Building a Circuit Dead-Bug Style6.3. Building Circuits Manhattan-Style6.4. Building Circuits Using Twist 'n' Twirl Wire-Wrap6.5. Constructing the Timer Circuit6.6. Constructing the Shortwave Buffer Circuit6.7. Constructing the DC-to-DC Converter Circuit
7.1. Crimp Terminals and Tools7.1.1. Crimp terminals7.1.2. The terminal crimping tool7.1.3. The modular-plug crimping tool7.1.4. The RJ-45 crimping tool7.2. Making RS-232 Connectors7.3. Installing a Crimp Terminal7.4. Adding a DC Power Fuse7.5. Installing a Telephone Plug7.6. Replacing a Telephone Jack7.7. Making a Computer Network Cable7.8. Making an RS-232 Data Cable
8.1. The Case for Coaxial Cable8.2. Using a Coaxial Connector Crimping Tool8.3. Coax Connectors — All in the Family8.3.1. Type F connectors8.3.2. UHF connectors8.3.3. BNC connectors8.3.4. Not THAT kind of stripper!8.4. Installing a TV-Style Connector8.5. Installing a CB-Style Connector8.6. Installing a Scanner-Style Connector8.7. Weatherproofing an Exterior Connection
9.1. Adding an AC In-Line Switch9.2. Wiring an AC Fuseholder9.3. Installing an AC Plug9.4. Splicing a Power Cord
10.1. The XLR: A Real Pro Connector10.1.1. Standard connection conventions10.2. Plugging In to Phono Plugs10.3. Taking a Temperature Electronically10.3.1. Temperature Sensor Wiring Diagram10.4. Installing a Microphone Connector10.5. Installing a Phono Plug10.6. Creating a Stereo Patch Cable10.7. Constructing a Temperature Sensor
11.1. What to Measure11.2. Your Basic Test Equipment11.2.1. The voltmeter (okay, multimeter ...)11.2.2. When is a volt not a volt?11.2.3. The power supply11.2.4. Function generators11.3. Advanced Testing Equipment11.3.1. Counters11.3.2. Component testers11.3.3. Logic probe11.3.4. Radio-frequency test equipment11.4. The Oscilloscope11.4.1. The basics11.4.1.1. Sweep speed11.4.1.2. Vertical amplifier11.4.1.3. Trigger switch11.4.1.4. Loading11.4.2. Analog and digital oscilloscopes11.4.3. Making measurements with an oscilloscope11.4.3.1. Voltage and current11.4.3.2. Period and frequency11.4.4. Specialty oscilloscopes: logic and spectrum analyzers
12.1. Making Measurements Safely12.2. Using Ohm's Law to Measure Resistance12.3. Testing a Transistor12.4. Measuring in Decibels12.5. Measuring Voltage12.6. Measuring Current12.7. Measuring Resistance with Ohm's Law12.8. Checking a Transistor12.9. Measuring Period and Frequency12.10. Making Measurements in Decibels12.11. Measuring Frequency Response
13.1. Troubleshooting and Debugging Basics13.1.1. What is failure?13.1.2. Running in circles13.1.3. Organize your thoughts13.1.3.1. Keep a running log13.1.3.2. Record what you learned13.1.3.3. Practice makes perfect13.1.3.4. Coming to your senses13.2. Pondering Power Problems13.2.1. Fuses and breakers13.2.2. Battery power13.2.3. Power troubleshooting guide13.2.3.1. Common power supply problems13.3. Diagnosing Audio Problems13.3.1. Distortion13.3.2. Hum and ripple13.3.3. White and crackling noise13.4. Analyzing Analog Circuits13.4.1. Use Ohm's Law13.5. Diagnosing Digital Circuits
14.1. Taking Care of Tools and Test Instruments14.2. Maintaining a Winning Workspace14.3. Maintaining Electronic Equipment14.3.1. Portable and mobile electronics14.3.2. Electronics with moving parts14.4. Keeping on Schedule
15.1. A Bunch of Battery Basics15.2. Ah ... Introducing Amp-hours and Characteristic Voltage15.3. Disposable Batteries versus Rechargeable Batteries15.3.1. Disposable batteries15.3.1.1. Zinc-carbon15.3.1.2. Alkaline15.3.2. Rechargeable batteries15.3.2.1. Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad)15.3.2.2. Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)15.3.2.3. Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)15.3.2.4. Lead-acid15.4. Exploring the World of Battery Packs15.5. Following Basic Battery Tips15.6. Adhering to the Rules of Battery Safety15.6.1. Charging and discharging batteries safely15.6.2. Storing and handling batteries with care15.6.3. Safely disposing of batteries
16.1. Learning About Mobile Installation16.1.1. Understanding vehicle safety issues16.1.1.1. Mechanical safety means mounting equipment properly16.1.1.2. Electrical safety means maintaining your connections16.1.1.3. Driving safety means ... well, driving safely16.1.2. Tapping into vehicle power16.1.2.1. Using a fuse tap16.1.2.1. Setting up and maintaining battery connections16.1.3. Finding a home for electronics in your vehicle
17.1. Dealing with Interference17.1.1. Received interference17.1.2. Direct detection17.1.3. Avoid causing interference17.2. Installing a High-Pass Filter17.3. Installing a Split-Core Ferrite Choke
18.1. Be Patient and Alert18.2. Spring for Quality Tools and Toolbox18.3. Use Plenty of Light18.4. Get Good References18.5. Hold On to Your Junk18.6. Buddy Up18.7. Test in Steps18.8. Keep a Notebook18.9. Pass It On18.10. Take Pride in Your Craft
19.1. Common Replacement Transistors and ICs19.2. Clip Leads19.3. Electrical Tape19.4. Wire Nuts and Crimp Splices19.5. Molded Connectors19.6. 12V Soldering Iron19.7. Clothespin and Rubberband Vises19.8. Loose Connectors19.9. Broken Antennas19.10. Dead Rechargeable Batteries
A.1. Parts and Pieces: Electronic ComponentsA.1.1. SemiconductorsA.1.2. Data sheetsA.1.3. PackagingA.1.4. Workshop tips for componentsA.1.5. Purchasing tipsA.1.6. Junk boxesA.2. Go Nuts: Mechanical HardwareA.3. ReferencesA.3.1. BooksA.3.2. MagazinesA.3.3. Web sitesA.3.4. TutorialsA.3.5. Vendor sites
BC1.1. Meet the ResistorsBC1.1.1. Carbon-composition resistorsBC1.1.2. Film resistorsBC1.1.3. Wirewound resistorsBC1.1.4. Ceramic and metal oxideBC1.1.5. Adjustable resistorsBC1.1.6. Resistor networksBC1.2. Power Dissipation and Voltage RatingsBC1.3. Choosing ResistorsBC1.4. Further Reading
BC2.1. Meet the CapacitorsBC2.2. Capacitor ConstructionBC2.3. The Capacitor MenuBC2.3.1. ElectrolyticBC2.3.2. TantalumBC2.3.3. FilmBC2.3.4. CeramicBC2.3.5. Mica and glassBC2.3.6. Adjustable or variable

Overview

DO-IT-YOURSELF

Here's the fun and easy way to start building circuits for your projects

Have you ever wanted to build your own electronic device? Put together a thermostat or an in-line fuse, or repair a microphone cable? This is the book for you! Inside you'll find the tools and techniques you need to build circuits, with illustrated, step-by-step directions to help accomplish tasks and complete projects.

As you accomplish the tasks throughout the book, you'll construct many projects while learning the key circuitbuilding principles and techniques. Find out about measuring and testing, maintenance and troubleshooting, cables, connectors, how to test your stuff, and more.

Stuff You Need to Know