New to Electronics F.A.Q.

Revision History 1.0

New Rev 1.01

Updated 07 Aug 08
Update Info:

Deleted intro paragraph, as it was not needed. Added link to Dean Husters Cap tutorial.



So you have suddenly been bit by the urge to push electrons across a semiconductor. New to electronics and just starting out, and not sure how to get started? Well this may be a good starting point

Note: All links and suggestions are a compilation of post by many forum members. A list of credits is at the end of this document.

Q? I don’t know anything about electronics, where should I start looking?

A: The internet is a massive compendium of information pertaining to electronics. This entire section could take up pages and pages to list all the resources available on line, but just to get you going, here are a few links to some electronic websites.

http://www.electronicsteacher.com/tutorial/

http://www.hobbyprojects.com/tutorial.html

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/

http://science-ebooks.com/electronic...lectronics.htm

http://www.williamson-labs.com/480_555.htm

http://www.williamson-labs.com/480_xtor.htm

http://www.discovercircuits.com/reso...tutorials.html

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/

http://www.play-hookey.com/

Q? Those links were useful, but I want to get a few books too. Do you have any suggestions?
A: Follow this link, how much time do you have to spare?

http://www.electro-tech-online.com/electronic-books/

Q? These cap values confuse me. What is a 105 cap?

A: A great explanation can be found here.
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/caps/caps.html

Q? Okay, I now know what a resistor and cap is, but what is that circle thing with an arrow in it?

Schematic symbols:
http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/symbol.htm


Q? Hey this looks fun, I am ready to get started, but where do I get all those parts?

A: You’re just full of questions aren’t you? There are many places for obtaining parts to fill up your junk box. I will try to list a few, I am sure this list will grow over time.

Digi-Key:

Official website
www.digikey.com/

Digi-Key UK
http://uk.digikey.com/

Digi-Key Canada
http://ca.digikey.com/

Digi-Key Germany
http://de.digikey.com/

Digi-Key Denmark
http://dk.digikey.com

Digi-Key International (This one contains all above links amongst Digi-Key locations.
http://dkc1.digikey.com/US/MKT/International.html

Farnell:

http://www.farnell.com/

RS Electronics:

http://www.rselectronics.com/

Newark:

http://www.newark.com/

Jameco:

www.jameco.com/

Mouser Electronics:

http://www.mouser.com/


Q: I got this part, but I am not sure which pin is what. So now what I do?

A: You need a data sheet for your part.

Q: Umm, what’s a data sheet and where can I get it?

A: A data sheet lists all parameters of an electronic part such as, min max current ratings, voltage ratings, etc. The data sheet also provides pin out information such as power, ground, inputs, and outputs.

For locating data sheets, your first line of defense is www.google.com/
Just enter your part number as a search parameter and away you go. You can also go to a few of the links below.

http://www.alldatasheet.com/

http://www.datasheetarchive.com/

Q: Well slap me like a data sheet and call me Suzy! I am ready to get going here, I know how the parts work, I have a schematic, all my parts and I am ready to go, but what tools do I need and how should I put all the parts together?

A: Ok, let's talk about breadboards, and circuit building.

This site looks like a pretty good one.
http://www.morsex.com/building/atoz.htm

A few more links.

http://electronicdesign.com/Articles...ArticleID=6105

http://www.ciphersbyritter.com/RADEL...BD/BREADBD.HTM

http://w7zoi.net/bboard.pdf

Q? I am getting pretty good at this stuff, I think I want to do something fancy like a microprocessor. Are there any tutorials out there?

A: There always is. Here is couple to get you started.

From one of our forum moderators and mentor 3V0.

http://www.rocklore.com/3v0/

From the makers of the world famous PIC.

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/id...GE&nodeId=2551

Q: Where can I get a programmer for my Pic?

These seem to be pretty popular amongst the locals.

http://www.blueroomelectronics.com/

Programmer also available from Microchip.

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/id...PAGE&nodeId=81

Attached Files

New to Electronics FAQ V1.0.pdf (20.0 KB, 148 views)

__________________
Pay it forward.

 

Hi Mike!

I like it. I think a site like this could use a FAQ which could easily grow into its own Wiki. That said, a lot of the recurrent questions we get are from people who appear to have some kind of FAQophobia and who don't want to do that kind of reading for themselves, sadly.

For all the rest I think it's the beginning of a really good resource for people looking for information. Hell, it's already got a lot of good links in it.


Torben

__________________
Curiosity was framed. Ignorance killed the cat.

 

Thanks Torben. I was afraid it was gonna fade a quick death without notice...
Appreciate your comments...

Oh, I agree about the FAQophobia thing, that is why I tried a different tone with the writing. More fun sort of thing...

__________________
Pay it forward.

 

Mikebits, well placed article.

I'm sure I'll make use of it myself. It's a good solution for those alzheimer-light moments too.
Hope all the newbs will do a bit of a search before just plonking down an ill-placed question.

 

It looks good. I know a large number of questions are repeats or slight variations of questions already answered. Now when a repeat question comes up we can say, just look at the FAQs.

It would be good if you could get the Moderator to put it in the forum as a "Sticky" so it's always at the top and the first thing newbs see. Otherwise it'll get lost in the archives.

__________________
Carl
Curmudgeon Elektroniker

 

Thanks Carl I don't think I have much influence over the mods. I just assume if the mods liked the idea, they would do as you suggested, otherwise it may be a silly idea in which case It will soon meet it's impending archive doom...

__________________
Pay it forward.

 

Give oll Nigel a PM there.
I believe him to be very reasonable. Strict probably, but reasonable.

 

Yup. Nigel is a good guy and so is ElectroMaster--that's something that helps keep this site so good.

I think this should be made a sticky too. Updates can always be submitted to Mike who can get Nigel or EM to update the sticky (or let Mike do it).


Torben

__________________
Curiosity was framed. Ignorance killed the cat.

 

Quick typo note: the "DigiKey Denmark" link actually goes to DigiKey Germany. "DE" is Germany; "DK" is Denmark. And I was for some reason a little surprised to find that Denmark does have its own DigiKey site at http://dk.digikey.com .


Torben

__________________
Curiosity was framed. Ignorance killed the cat.

 

Oops, your right. Thanks, I will fix that
-----------------------------------------

Fixed.

__________________
Pay it forward.

 

very nice. you should add the link for www.doctronics.co.uk
and give a wiki about breadboards

 

Thanks. Breadboards are covered.

This site looks like a pretty good one.
http://www.morsex.com/building/atoz.htm

A few more links.

http://electronicdesign.com/Articles...ArticleID=6105

http://www.ciphersbyritter.com/RADEL...BD/BREADBD.HTM

http://w7zoi.net/bboard.pdf

__________________
Pay it forward.

 

Hi Mike,

As people seem to continually post off topic questions in this thread, I'm locking it. If you want to update it, PM me and I'll unlock it for you.

Moderator.

__________________
PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at:
http://www.winpicprog.co.uk