book

Electronics All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition

by Doug Lowe

February 2017

Intermediate to advanced

960 pages

21h 47m

English

For Dummies

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About This BookFoolish AssumptionsIcons Used in This BookBeyond the BookWhere to Go from Here
What Is Electricity?But Really, What Is Electricity?What Is Electronics?What Can You Do with Electronics?Looking inside Electronic Devices
Pondering the Wonder of ElectricityLooking for ElectricityPeering Inside AtomsExamining the ElementsMinding Your ChargesConductors and InsulatorsUnderstanding CurrentUnderstanding VoltageComparing Direct and Alternating CurrentUnderstanding Power
Setting Up Your Mad-Scientist LabEquipping Your Mad-Scientist LabStocking up on Basic Electronic ComponentsOne Last Thing
Facing the Realities of Electrical DangersOther Ways to Stay SafeKeeping Safety Equipment on HandProtecting Your Stuff from Static Discharges
Introducing a Simple Schematic DiagramLaying Out a CircuitTo Connect or Not to ConnectLooking at Commonly Used SymbolsSimplifying Ground and Power ConnectionsLabeling Components in a Schematic DiagramRepresenting Integrated Circuits in a Schematic Diagram
Looking at the Process of Building an Electronic ProjectEnvisioning Your ProjectDesigning Your CircuitPrototyping Your Circuit on a Solderless BreadboardConstructing Your Circuit on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)Finding an Enclosure for Your Circuit
Understanding How Solder WorksProcuring What You Need to SolderPreparing to SolderSoldering a Solid Solder JointChecking Your WorkDesoldering

Looking at MultimetersWhat a Multimeter MeasuresUsing Your Multimeter
Understanding OscilloscopesExamining WaveformsCalibrating an OscilloscopeDisplaying Signals
What Is a Circuit?Using BatteriesBuilding a Lamp CircuitProject 1: A Simple Lamp CircuitWorking with SwitchesBuilding a Switched Lamp CircuitProject 2: A Lamp Controlled by a SwitchUnderstand Series and Parallel CircuitsBuilding a Series Lamp CircuitProject 3: A Series Lamp CircuitBuilding a Parallel Lamp CircuitProject 4: A Parallel Lamp CircuitUsing Switches in Series and ParallelBuilding a Series Switch CircuitProject 5: A Series Switch CircuitBuilding a Parallel Switch CircuitProject 6: A Parallel Switch CircuitSwitching between Two LampsProject 7: Controlling Two Lamps with One SwitchBuilding a Three-Way Lamp SwitchProject 8: A Three-Way Light SwitchReversing PolarityProject 9: A Polarity-Reversing Circuit
What Is Resistance?Measuring ResistanceLooking at Ohm’s LawIntroducing ResistorsReading Resistor Color CodesUnderstanding Resistor Power RatingsLimiting Current with a ResistorProject 10: Using a Current-Limiting ResistorCombining ResistorsProject 11: Resistors in Series and ParallelDividing VoltageDividing Voltage with ResistorsProject 12: A Voltage Divider CircuitVarying Resistance with a Potentiometer
What Is a Capacitor?Counting CapacitanceReading Capacitor ValuesThe Many Sizes and Shapes of CapacitorsCalculating Time Constants for Resistor/Capacitor NetworksCombining CapacitorsPutting Capacitors to WorkCharging and Discharging a CapacitorProject 13: Charging and Discharging a CapacitorBlocking DC while Passing ACProject 14: Blocking Direct Current
What Is Magnetism?Examining ElectromagnetsInducing CurrentCalculating RL Time ConstantsCalculating Inductive ReactanceCombining InductorsPutting Inductors to Work
What Is a Semiconductor?Introducing DiodesThe Many Types of DiodesUsing a Diode to Block Reverse PolarityProject 15: Blocking Reverse PolarityPutting Rectifiers to WorkBuilding Rectifier CircuitsProject 16: Rectifier CircuitsIntroducing Light Emitting DiodesUsing LEDs to Detect PolarityProject 17: An LED Polarity Detector
What’s the Big Deal about Transistors?Amplifying with a TransistorUsing a Transistor as a SwitchAn LED Driver CircuitProject 18: A Transistor LED DriverLooking at a Simple NOT Gate CircuitBuilding a NOT GateProject 19: A NOT GateOscillating with a TransistorBuilding an LED FlasherProject 20: An LED FlasherWrapping Up Our Exploration of Discrete Components
What Exactly Is an Integrated Circuit?Looking at How Integrated Circuits Are MadeIntegrated Circuit PackagesUsing ICs in Schematic DiagramsPowering ICsAvoiding Static and Heat DamageReading IC Data SheetsPopular Integrated Circuits
Looking at How the 555 WorksUnderstanding 555 ModesUsing the 555 in Monostable (One-Shot) ModeUsing the 555 in Astable (Oscillator) ModeUsing the 555 in Bistable (Flip-Flop) ModeUsing the 555 Timer OutputDoubling Up with the 556 Dual TimerMaking a One-Shot TimerProject 21: A One-Shot 555 Timer CircuitMaking an LED FlasherProject 22: An LED FlasherUsing a Set/Reset SwitchProject 23: An LED Flasher with a Set/Reset SwitchMaking a BeeperProject 24: An Audible Beeper
Looking at Operational AmplifiersUnderstanding Open Loop-AmplifiersLooking at Closed Loop-AmplifiersUsing an Op-Amp as a Unity Gain AmplifierUsing an Op-Amp as a Voltage ComparatorAdding VoltagesWorking with Op-Amp ICs
What Is Alternating Current?Measuring Alternating CurrentUnderstanding AlternatorsUnderstanding MotorsUnderstanding TransformersWorking with Line VoltageUsing Line Voltage in Your ProjectsWires and Connectors for Working with Line VoltageUsing Fuses to Protect Line-Voltage CircuitsUsing Relays to Control Line-Voltage Circuits
Using a Power AdapterUnderstanding What a Power Supply DoesTransforming VoltageTurning AC into DCFiltering Rectified CurrentRegulating Voltage
Understanding Radio WavesTransmitting and Receiving RadioUnderstanding AM RadioUnderstanding FM RadioBuilding a Crystal Radio
Introducing Infrared LightDetecting Infrared LightProject 25: A Simple IR DetectorCreating Infrared LightBuilding a Proximity DetectorBuilding a Common-Emitter Proximity DetectorProject 26: A Common-Emitter Proximity DetectorBuilding a Common-Collector Proximity DetectorProject 27: A Common-Collector Proximity Detector
Distinguishing Analog and Digital ElectronicsUnderstanding BinaryUsing Switches to Build GatesProject 28: A Simple AND CircuitProject 29: A Simple OR CircuitProject 30: A Simple XOR Circuit
Introducing Boolean Logic and Logic GatesLooking at NOT GatesLooking at AND GatesLooking at OR GatesLooking at NAND GatesLooking at NOR GatesLooking at XOR and XNOR GatesDe Marvelous De Morgan’s TheoremAll You Need Is NAND (Or NOR)Using Software to Practice with gates
Creating Logic Gates with TransistorsProject 31: A Transistor NOT GateProject 32: A Transistor NAND GateProject 33: A Transistor NOR GateIntroducing Integrated Circuit Logic GatesIntroducing the Versatile 4000-Series Logic GatesBuilding Projects with the 4011 Quad Two-Input NAND GateProject 34: A CMOS NAND GateProject 35: A CMOS AND GateProject 36: A CMOS OR GateProject 37: A CMOS NOR Gate
Looking at LatchesProject 38: An Active-High LatchProject 39: An Active-Low LatchLooking at Gated LatchesProject 40: A Gated D LatchIntroducing Flip-FlopsProject 41: A D Flip-FlopProject 42: A Toggle Flip-FlopDebouncing a Clock Input
Introducing MicrocontrollersProgramming a MicrocontrollerWorking with I/O Pins
Introducing the Arduino UNOBuying an UNO Starter KitInstalling the Arduino IDEConnecting to an UNOLooking at a Simple Arduino SketchRunning the Blink ProgramUsing a Digital I/O Pin to Control an LEDProject 43: Blinking an LED with an Arduino UNO
Introducing CBuilding a Test CircuitProject 44: An Arduino LED Test BoardFlashing the LEDsUsing CommentsCreating IdentifiersUsing VariablesDoing MathA Program That Uses Variables and MathUsing If StatementsUsing While LoopsUsing For LoopsCrafting Your Own Functions
Using a Push Button with an ArduinoChecking the Status of a Switch in ArduinoProject 45: A Push-Button Controlled Arduino LED FlasherRandomizing Your ProgramsReading a Value from a PotentiometerProject 46: A Variable-Rate LED Flasher
Using an Ultrasonic Range FinderUsing an LCDBuilding a Proximity SensorProject 47: An Arduino Proximity Sensor
Introducing the BASIC StampBuying a BASIC StampWorking with the BASIC Stamp HomeWork BoardConnecting to BASIC Stamp I/O PinsInstalling the BASIC Stamp Windows EditorConnecting to a BASIC StampWriting Your First PBASIC ProgramProject 48: Hello, World!Flashing an LED with a BASIC StampProject 49: An LED Flasher
Introducing PBASICBuilding a Test CircuitProject 50: An LED Test BoardFlashing the LEDsUsing CommentsCreating NamesUsing ConstantsAssigning Names to I/O PinsUsing VariablesDoing MathUsing If StatementsUsing DO LoopsUsing FOR Loops
Using a Push Button with a BASIC StampChecking the Status of a Switch in PBASICProject 51: A Push-Button-Controlled LED FlasherRandomizing Your ProgramsReading a Value from a PotentiometerProject 52: Using a Potentiometer to Control Flashing LEDsUsing Subroutines and the GOSUB Command
Using a Piezo Speaker with a BASIC StampProject 53: Creating Sound with a Piezo SpeakerUsing a Servo with a BASIC StampProject 54: Using a Servo with a BASIC Stamp
Introducing the Raspberry PiConsidering Raspberry Pi VersionsSetting Up a Raspberry PiInstalling the Raspbian Operating SystemLogging In to Raspberry PiUnderstanding the File SystemFixing the KeyboardWriting Your First Raspberry Pi ProgramExamining GPIO PortsConnecting an LED to a GPIO PortFlashing an LED in PythonConfiguring IDLE for Root PrivilegesBuilding a Raspberry Pi LED FlasherProject 55: Blinking an LED with a Raspberry Pi
Looking Closer at PythonBuilding a Test CircuitProject 56: A Raspberry Pi LED Test BoardFlashing the LEDsUsing CommentsCreating IdentifiersUsing ConstantsUsing VariablesCreating Your Own FunctionsUsing If StatementsUsing While LoopsUsing For LoopsLooking at Python Lists
Using a GPIO Port for Digital InputChecking the Status of a Switch in PythonProject 57: A Push-Button-Controlled Raspberry Pi LED FlasherReading Analog InputEnabling SPI on Your Raspberry PiUsing the MCP3008 in PythonUsing the mcp3008 PackageProject 58: A Variable-Rate LED Flasher
Examining the Color Organ ProjectUnderstanding How the Color Organ WorksGetting What You Need to Build the Color OrganAssembling the Color OrganUsing the Color Organ
Introducing the ShowTime PC ControllerLooking at a Basic Light-O-Rama SetupUnderstanding Channels and SequencesChoosing Lights for Your DisplayDesigning Your LayoutAssembling the ShowTime PC ControllerConnecting the Controller to a ComputerTesting the ShowTime PC ControllerUsing the Light-O-Rama Sequence EditorUnderstanding SequencesCreating a Musical SequenceVisualizing Your Show
Looking at the Requirements of Animatronic Prop ControlExamining a Typical Animatronic PropBuilding the Prop ControllerProgramming the Prop-1 ControllerSending Commands to the RC-4 or AP-16+ ModulesProgramming the RC-4 Relay Control ModuleProgramming the AP-16+ Audio Player ModuleProgramming the PIR Motion DetectorLooking at Complete Jack-in-the-Box Program

Overview

A comprehensive collection of 8 books in 1 offering electronics guidance that can't be found anywhere else!

If you know a breadboard from a breadbox but want to take your hobby electronics skills to the next level, this is the only reference you need. Electronics All-in-One For Dummies has done the legwork for you — offering everything you need to enhance your experience as an electronics enthusiast in one convenient place.

Written by electronics guru and veteran For Dummies author Doug Lowe, this down-to-earth guide makes it easy to grasp such important topics as circuits, schematics, voltage, and safety concerns. Plus, it helps you have tons of fun getting your hands dirty working with the Raspberry Pi, creating special effects, making your own entertainment electronics, repairing existing electronics, learning to solder safely, and so much more.

Create your own schematics and breadboards
Become a circuit-building expert
Tackle analog, digital, and car electronics
Debunk and grasp confusing electronics concepts

If you're obsessed with all things electronics, look no further! This comprehensive guide is packed with all the electronics goodies you need to add that extra spark to your game!