Chapter 14

Interpreting Schematics

IN THIS CHAPTER

Bullet Understanding the role of schematics

Bullet Getting to know the most common symbols

Bullet Using (and not abusing!) component polarity

Bullet Diving into some specialized components

Bullet Having fun with schematics from around the world

Imagine driving cross-country without a road map. Chances are, you’d get lost along the way and end up driving in circles. Road maps exist to help you find your way. You can use the equivalent of road maps for building electronic circuits as well. They’re called schematic diagrams, and they show you how all the parts of the circuits are connected. Schematics show these connections with symbols that represent electronic parts and lines that show how you attach the parts.

Although not all electronics circuits you encounter are described in the form of a schematic, many are. If you’re serious at all about studying electronics, (sooner or later) you need to understand how to read a schematic. Not to worry! The language of schematics ...

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