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New to Electronics F.A.Q

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  1. 4th August 2008 10:11 PM #1
    Mikebits Mikebits is offline

    New to Electronics F.A.Q

    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://www.electro-tech-online.com/c...8/bboard-1.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
    Last edited by Mikebits; 9th August 2008 at 08:58 AM.
    acquiring knowledge is like doing a jig saw puzzle, many of the bits on their own dont make sense, but they are all needed to give a complete picture........... "Eric Gibbs"
    www.geoepicenter.com
  2. 5th August 2008 05:40 AM #2
    Torben Torben is offline
    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
    0
  3. 5th August 2008 05:47 AM Thread Starter #3
    Mikebits Mikebits is offline
    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...
    0
    Last edited by Mikebits; 5th August 2008 at 05:49 AM.
    acquiring knowledge is like doing a jig saw puzzle, many of the bits on their own dont make sense, but they are all needed to give a complete picture........... "Eric Gibbs"
    www.geoepicenter.com
  4. 5th August 2008 08:48 AM #4
    arrie arrie is offline
    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.
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  5. 5th August 2008 03:31 PM #5
    crutschow crutschow is offline
    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.
    0
    Zapper
    Curmudgeon Elektroniker

    --Inside every little problem is a big problem trying to get out.--
  6. 6th August 2008 12:36 AM Thread Starter #6
    Mikebits Mikebits is offline
    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.
    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...
    0
    acquiring knowledge is like doing a jig saw puzzle, many of the bits on their own dont make sense, but they are all needed to give a complete picture........... "Eric Gibbs"
    www.geoepicenter.com
  7. 6th August 2008 06:47 AM #7
    arrie arrie is offline
    Give oll Nigel a PM there.
    I believe him to be very reasonable. Strict probably, but reasonable.
    0
  8. 6th August 2008 06:51 AM #8
    Torben Torben is offline
    Quote Originally Posted by arrie View Post
    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
    0
  9. 7th August 2008 10:02 PM #9
    Torben Torben is offline
    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
    0
    Last edited by Torben; 8th August 2008 at 12:51 AM. Reason: The Danish DigiKey site is not in the .ca TLD. :)
  10. 7th August 2008 10:08 PM Thread Starter #10
    Mikebits Mikebits is offline
    Oops, your right. Thanks, I will fix that
    -----------------------------------------

    Fixed.
    0
    Last edited by Mikebits; 8th August 2008 at 10:58 AM.
    acquiring knowledge is like doing a jig saw puzzle, many of the bits on their own dont make sense, but they are all needed to give a complete picture........... "Eric Gibbs"
    www.geoepicenter.com
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