2. Switching Basics and More
The concept of switching is fundamental in electronics, and I’m not just talking about power switches. By “switching,” I mean using one flow of electricity to switch, or control, another. This is such an important principle that no digital device can exist without it.
Today, switching is mostly done with semiconductors. Before I deal with them, I’ll back up and illustrate the concept by introducing you to relays, which are easier to understand, because you can see what’s going on inside them. And before I get to relays, I’ll deal with everyday on/off switches, which may seem very simple—but we have to nail down the basics.
Also in this chapter, I’ll deal with capacitance, because capacitance and resistance are fundamental ...
