UNIT 2.

ELECTRONICS PROJECT #1

In the table below, provide a definition as to the function of each of the listed electrical
components, as well as an image of what each component looks like. In addition,
include the schematic for the component, if available or appropriate.
1.

RESISTANCE (Ohm)

Definition: the refusal to accept or comply with

something; the attempt to prevent something by
action or argument.

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Schematic / Symbol

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How can electrical resistance be useful?

An interlaced display is a cathode-ray tube (CRT)
display in which the lines are scanned alternately
in two interwoven rasterized lines. In a CRT
display, there are several hundred horizontal lines
in a frame (full screen). These lines are scanned
from left to right, and from top to bottom.

2.

CURRENT (Amperes)

Definition: An interlaced display is a cathode-ray

tube (CRT) display in which the lines are scanned
alternately in two interwoven rasterized lines. In a
CRT display, there are several hundred horizontal
lines in a frame (full screen). These lines are
scanned from left to right, and from top to bottom.

How can current be increased or decreased?

You can increase current by decreasing your
resistance and increasing your voltage.
You can decrease your current by increasing your
resistances and decreasing your voltage.

3.

VOLTAGE (Volts)

Definition: an electromotive force or potential

difference expressed in volts.

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How can voltage be increased or decreased?

To increase voltage you increase either current or
resistance.
And to decrease voltage you decrease either
current or resistance.

What is the advantage of high voltage?

Electricity is generated at large power stations
and transmitted across the country at around 132
000 V. It is then stepped down for domestic use to
around 230 V at local substations.
The transmission lines may be several hundred
kilometers long, and even if they are thick and
made from a low resistance material such as
copper, they will still have a significant resistance.
If the energy is transmitted at a relatively low
voltage and a high current, they will be a
significant amount of heating in the wire. This
means energy is wasted in heating the
atmosphere.

4.

POWER (Watts)

Definition: The watt (symbol: W) is a derived unit

of power in the International System of Units (SI)

5.

SWITCH

Definition: a device for making and breaking the

connection in an electric circuit.

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Schematic

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What are some different types of switches?

Toggle Switch: Toggle switches are triggered by a
device in one of two or more positions.
Push Button Switch: Push button switches are mostly
used in many electronic circuits and design.
Rotary Switch: As the name denotes, rotary switches
are activated by rotating a knob
Proximity Switch: This type of switch senses a metallic
machine portion either by a magnetic or highfrequency electromagnetic field.
Speed Switch: These type of switches makes the
rotary speed of a shaft either by a centrifugal weight
mechanism fixed on the shaft or by some type of noncontact detection of shaft motion like optical or
magnetic.
Temperature Switch: This type of switch is consists of
a bimetallic strip which is a thin strip of two metals
combined back to back.

6.

SPDT SWITCH

Definition: A Single Pole Single Throw (SPST)

switch is a switch that only has a single input and
can connect only to one output. This means it
only has one input terminal and only one output
terminal.

What would you use a SPDT switch for?

An SPDT can be used in crossover to make a DC
motor run backwards, and also in a passage set to turn
a light on from 3 places

7.

DPDT SWITCH

Definition: Adding another pole to the SPDT

creates a double-pole, double-throw (DPDT)
switch. Basically two SPDT switches, which can
control two separate circuits, but are always
switched together by a single actuator.

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Schematic

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What would you use a DPDT switch for?

Adding another pole to the SPDT creates a
double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch.
Basically two SPDT switches, which can control
two separate circuits, but are always switched
together by a single actuator. DPDTs should have
six terminals

8.

INDUCTOR (COILS & RELAYS)

Definition:
Coil: is a passive two-terminal electrical
component which resists changes in electric
current passing through it.
Relays: A relay is an electrically operated switch.
Many relays use an electromagnet to
mechanically operate a switch, but other
operating principles are also used, such as solidstate relays. Relays are used where it is
necessary to control a circuit by a low-power
signal (with complete electrical isolation between
control and controlled circuits), or where several
circuits must be controlled by one signal.

What can a coil be used for in a circuit?

Electromagnetic coils are used in electrical
engineering, in applications where electric currents
interact with magnetic fields, in devices such as
inductors, electromagnets, transformers, and sensor
coils.

What can a relay be used for in a circuit?

Relays are used where it is necessary to control a
circuit by a low-power signal (with complete electrical
isolation between control and controlled circuits), or
where several circuits must be controlled by one
signal.

9. RESISTOR

Definition:
A device having a designed resistance to the
passage of an electric current.

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How does it change a current?

Resistors "resist" the flow of electrical current.
The higher the value of resistance, the lower the
current will be.

10. TRANSISTOR
Definition:
A semiconductor device with three connections,
capable of amplification in addition to rectification.

What does a transistor do in electrical circuit?

it takes in a tiny electric current at one end (an
input current) and produces a much bigger
electric current (an output current) at the other. In
other words, it's a kind of current booster. That
comes in really useful in things like hearing aids,
one of the first things people used transistors for

11. CAPACITOR
Definition:
A device used to store an electric charge,
consisting of one or more pairs of conductors
separated by an insulator.
What does a capacitor do in electrical circuit?
-Capacitor can store charge. And it can release
the charge when needed.

12. DIODE

Definition:
A semiconductor device with two terminals,
typically allowing the flow of current in one
direction only.

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What does a diode do in electrical circuit?

the diode allows traffic, or current, to flow from the
anode, towards the cathode leg. In a reverse bias
current is blocked so there is no flow of electricity
through the circuit.

13. LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED)

Definition:
Is a semiconductor device that emits visible light
when an electric current passes through it The
light is not particularly bright, but in most LEDs it
is monochromatic, occurring at a single
wavelength
What does a LED do in electrical circuit?
A less obvious use of a light emitting diode is to detect
light. A LED makes a very efficient and narrow band
light detector. It will produce electric current in
response to light that is about the same wavelength
(and therefore color) as when it is used as an emitter.
Another use of an LED is to make a fairly stable
voltage reference; A red LED when forward biased will
have a steady voltage drop of about 1.8 volts, an
orange LED produces a voltage drop of about 2.0
volts, and about 3.5 volts for blue and white emitting
LEDs.
LEDs can be used as modulated light emitters to
transmit speech, music and digital information. A good
example is a television remote control which digitally
pulses an infrared LED to change channels, control
volume, and so on.
LEDs are used in solid state switches when optically
coupled to a photodiode or photo resistor. LED
flashlights are very common, and some small light bulb
replacements are available, with larger bulb
replacements soon to come.

14. CONDUCTOR

Definition:
A material through which electric current can
pass.

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15. CIRCUIT
Definition:
A roughly circular line, route, or movement that
starts and finishes at the same place.

16. STATIC ELECTRICITY

Definition:
A stationary electric charge, typically produced by
friction, which causes sparks or crackling or the
attraction of dust or hair.

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Where would you find static electricity?

A static electric charge is created whenever two
surfaces contact and separate, and at least one
of the surfaces has a high resistance to electric
current (and is therefore an electrical insulator).
The effects of static electricity are familiar to most
people because people can feel, hear, and even
see the spark as the excess charge is neutralized
when brought close to a large electrical conductor
(for example, a path to ground), or a region with
an excess charge of the opposite polarity
(positive or negative)
Why is static electricity a problem in
electronics?
Many semiconductor devices used in electronics
are very sensitive to the presence of static
electricity and can be damaged by a static
discharge. The use of an antistatic strap is
mandatory for researchers manipulating Nano
devices. Further precautions can be taken by
taking off shoes with thick rubber soles and
permanently staying with a metallic ground.

17. CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Definition:
The time rate of flow of electric charge, in the
direction that a positive moving charge would take
and having magnitude equal to the quantity of
charge per unit time: measured in amperes.

How is current electricity different than static?

Static electricity occurs when there is an
imbalance of positively and negatively charged
atoms. Electrons then jump from atom to atom,
releasing energy. Two examples of static
electricity are lightning and rubbing your feet on
the carpet and then touching a doorknob.
Current electricity is a constant flow of electrons.
There are two kinds of current electricity: direct
current (DC) and alternating current (AC). With
direct current electricity the electrons move in one
direction. Batteries produce direct current. In
alternating current, electrons flow in both
directions. Power plants produce AC electric
current. Alternating current (AC) is the type of
electricity that JCPB distributes to you for use.
List several ways that current electricity is
used.
In the modern world, electricity is an essential
part of day-to-day life. In fact, it is probably
impossible to count all the ways we use electricity.
From the moment we wake up we use electricity
to toast our bread, listen to the radio or refrigerate
our orange juice. Electricity powers the lights in
the classrooms and offices where we work. The
clothes we wear, even the cars we drive, are
made by machines that use electricity.

18.

DIRECT CURRENT (DC)

Definition:
An electric current of constant direction, having a
magnitude that does not vary or varies only
slightly.

In what equipment is DC current used?

Direct current is produced by sources such as
batteries, power supplies, thermocouples, solar
cells, or dynamos. Direct current may flow in a
conductor such as a wire, but can also flow
through semiconductors, insulators, or even
through a vacuum as in electron or ion beams.

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What does DC Current look like?

19.

AC CURRENT

Definition:
is a type of electrical current, in which the
direction of the flow of electrons switches back
and forth at regular intervals or cycles.

In what equipment is AC current used?

is an electric current in which the flow of electric
charge periodically reverses direction, whereas in
direct current (DC, also dc), the flow of electric
charge is only in one direction
What does AC current look like?

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20.

THREE PHASE CURRENT (3-Phase)

Definition:
In electrical engineering, three-phase electric
power systems have at least three conductors
carrying alternating current voltages that are
offset in time by one-third of the period. A threephase system may be arranged in delta () or star
(Y) (also denoted as wye in some areas).

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In what equipment is 3-phase current used?

Such motors are applied in industry for pumps,
fans, blowers, compressors, conveyor drives, and
many other kinds of motor-driven equipment
Why is it used?
A three-phase system is usually more economical
than an equivalent single-phase or two-phase
system at the same line to ground voltage
because it uses less conductor material to
transmit electrical power.

21.

POLARITY

Definition:
the relative orientation of poles; the direction of a
magnetic or electric field.

What happens when you reverse polarity?

Reversed polarity creates a potential shock
hazard

22.

ANALOG SIGNAL

Definition:
An analog signal is a continuous signal in which
the time varying feature of the signal is a
representation of some other time varying
quantity.

Where are analog signals used?

in an analog audio signal, the instantaneous
voltage of the signal varies continuously with the
pressure of the sound waves. It differs from a
digital signal, in which the continuous quantity is a
representation of a sequence of discrete values
which can only take on one of a finite number of
values.

23.

DIGITAL SIGNAL

Definition:
It refers to an electrical signal that converts into a
pattern of bits. Unlike a analog signal it is a
continuous signal that contains time varying
quantities.
Digital signals have a discrete value at each
sampling point.

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Where are digital signals used?

In digital electronics a digital signal is a pulse train
(a pulse amplitude modulated), i.e. a sequence of
fixed-width square-wave electrical pulses or light
pulses, each occupying one of a discrete number
of levels of amplitude.[5][6] A special case is a
logic signal or a binary signal, which varies
between a low and a high signal level.

24.

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (IC)

Definition:
Is a piece of specially prepared silicon into which
a very detailed electronic circuit is etched using
photographic techniques

Where an IC might be used?

Special purposes IC's such as audio-amplifiers,
FM radios, logic blocks, regulators and even a
whole micro computers in the form of a micro
controller can be fitted inside a tiny package.
What does it do?
is a semiconductor wafer on which thousands or
millions of tiny resistors, capacitors, and
transistors are fabricated. An IC can function as
an amplifier, oscillator, timer, counter, computer
memory, or microprocessor.

25.

PHOTO-DIODE

Definition:
Is a device that converts light into a current

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Where a photo-diode might be used?

The current is generated when photons are
absorbed in the photodiode. A small amount of
current is also produced when no light is present.
Photodiodes may contain optical filters, built-in
lenses, and may have large or small surface
areas.
What does it do?
Converts light into current

26.

PHOTOCELL

Definition:
Is a light controlled resister

Where is a photo-diode used?

Photo resistors come in many types. Inexpensive
cadmium sulphide cells can be found in many
consumer items such as camera light meters,
clock radios, alarm devices (as the detector for a
light beam), night lights, outdoor clocks, solar
street lamps and solar road studs, etc.
What does it do?
The resistance of a photo resistor decreases with
increasing incident light intensity.

27.

THERMISTOR

Definition:
A type of resistor whose resistance is dependent
on temperature, more than standard resisters

How does it work?

when the temperature increases, resistance
decreases. Conversely, when temperature
decreases, resistance increases. This type of
thermistor is used the most.

28.

THERMOCOUPLE

Definition:
A sensor used to measure temperature

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How does it work?

Wire legs are welded together at one end,
creating a junction.

29.

H-BRIDGE

Definition:
Electronic circuit that enables a voltage across a
load in either direction.

How does it work?

A H bridge is an electronic circuit that enables a
voltage to be applied across a load in either
direction. These circuits are often used in robotics
and other applications to allow DC motors to run
forwards and backward

30.

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROLLER (ESC)

Definition:
Is a standalone unit which plugs into the throttle
control channel into the receiver itself, as the case
in most toy-grade RC vehicles

How does it work?

plugs into the throttle control channel into the
receiver itself, as the case in most toy-grade RC
vehicles

31.

SERVO CONTROLLER

Definition:
An aerodynamic device to reinforce by an
aerodynamic or mechanical relay a pilots effort in
operating a control, commonly consisting of a
small hinged airfoil at the trailing edge of an
elevator or rubber.

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How could you use a servo controller? (2

ways)
If you have a radio-controlled model car, airplane,
or helicopter, you are using at least a few servos.
In a model car or aircraft, servos move levers
back and forth to control steering or adjust wing
surfaces. By rotating a shaft connected to the
engine throttle, a servo regulates the speed of a
fuel-powered car or aircraft. Servos also appear
behind the scenes in devices we use every day.
Electronic devices such as DVD and Blu-ray
DiscTM players use servos to extend or retract
the disc trays

32.

PULSE WIDTH MODULATOR (PWM)

Definition:
A technique for getting an analogue results with
digital means. Used to create a square wave, a
signal switched between on and off.

What is Pulse Width Modulation anyway?

is a modulation technique used to encode a
message into a pulsing signal.

33.

SERIAL SIGNAL

Definition:
Serial communication is the process of sending
data one bit at a time, sequentially, over a
communication channel or computer bus.
This is in contrast to parallel communication,
where several bits are sent as a whole, on a link
with several parallel channels.

What does a serial signal look like?

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How does it differ from a Parallel signal?

34.

USB SIGNAL

Definition:
is an industry standard developed in the mid1990s that defines the cables, connectors and
communications protocols used in a bus for
connection, communication, and power
supply between computers and electronic
devices.[2] It is currently developed by the
USB Implementers Forum.

What does a USB signal look like?

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How is it different from serial and parallel?

Digital data transmission can occur in two basic
modes: serial or parallel. Data within a computer
system is transmitted via parallel mode on buses
with the width of the parallel bus matched to the
word size of the computer system. Data between
computer systems is usually transmitted in bit
serial mode.
What is the distance limit it can move over the
wire?
USB 2.0 cables are not limited by signal
degradation, but rather by a maximum response
time of 1500ns before the host will consider the
command lost. Using longer cables is possible
with extremely low resistance cables, but I don't
know how one could obtain such a cable; it would
likely have to be custom-manufactured.
USB-over-Cat5 adapters can run cables for
longer distances, up to 50m in some cases.

35.

DC MOTOR

Definition:
A class of electrical machines that converts direct
current electrical power into mechanical power.

What could you use a DC motor for?

industry workhorse for both high and low power,
fixed and variable speed electric drives.
Applications range from cheap toys to automotive
applications

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How does a DC Motor work (think stator)

36.

SERVO MOTOR

Definition:
A rotary actuator or linear actuator that allows for
precise control of angular or linear position,
velocity and acceleration.

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Where would you use a servo motor? (3 uses)

1. Robotics: A servo motor at every "joint" of
a robot is used to actuate movements,
giving the robot arm its precise angle.
2. Conveyor Belts: Servo motors move, stop,
and start conveyor belts carrying product
along to various stages, for example, in
product packaging/bottling, and labeling.
3. Robotic Vehicle: Commonly used in
military applications and bomb detonation,
servo motors control the wheels of the
robotic vehicle, generating enough torque
to move, stop, and start the vehicle
smoothly as well as control its speed.

37.

STEPPER MOTOR

Definition:
Is a DC motor that moves in discrete steps, They
have multiple coils that are organized in groups
called phases.

What is the advantage of a stepper motor?

1. Stable. Can drive a wide range of frictional
and inertial loads.
2. Needs no feedback. The motor is also the
position transducer.
3. Inexpensive relative to other motion control
systems.
4. Standardized frame size and performance.
5. Plug and play. Easy to setup and use.
6. Safe. If anything breaks, the motor stops.
7. Long life. Bearings are the only wear-out
mechanism.
8. Excellent low speed torque. Can drive many
loads without gearing.
9. Excellent repeatability. Returns to the same
location accurately.
10. Overload safe. Motor cannot be damaged by
mechanical overload.

38.

HMI

Definition:
A software application that presents information to
an operator about the state of a process, and to
accept and implement the operations control
instructions

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What is an example of a sophisticated HMI?

39.

TV VIDEO SIGNAL COAX CABLE

Definition:
Is a type of cable that is used on a cable TV and
is common for data communications.
TV Video Signal is the signal containing all of the
visual information together with blanking and
synchronizing pulses.

What does a video signal look like?

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How many wires do you need to carry it?

4. White, red, and yellow.
How do the two formats differ (NTSC and
PAL)?
PAL (common in Europe and parts of Asia)
delivers a frame rate of 25 fps (frames per
second) with 625 lines,
NTSC (used in the U.S. and Canada) delivers a
frame rate of 30 fps using 525 lines.

40.

DIGITAL VIDEO (DV) SIGNAL

Definition:
A digital signal is a type of signal that can take on
a set of discrete values

How is this different than an analog video

signal?
Analogue: Analog signal is a continuous signal
which represents physical measurements.
Digital: Digital signals are discrete time signals
generated by digital modulation
What are the advantages / disadvantages?
Advantages: Better sound for cheaper equipment
Total recall of session setup and mix status
Potential for very low distortion and noise/hiss
Potentially for wider dynamic range
Variety of recorder options (tape, optical, hard
disc, SSD, RAM etc).
Non-linear operation (random access)
You can access any part of the recording almost
immediately
Massive range of editing and processing tools
Nondestructive editing (you can make copies of
data and undo decisions)
Highly portable
Data can be cloned
Disadvantages: Computers crash
Software compatibility issues OS, (hosts, drivers
and plug-ins)
Latency
Software version shelf life (just when you have a
stable system, your computer dies and you must
upgrade)
Data can become corrupted

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41.

HIGH DEFINITION (HD) VIDEO SIGNAL

Definition:
high-quality video standard developed to replace
older video formats

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How is this different than a standard video

signal?
Standard Definition Video
Despite having differing frame sizes, NTSC and PAL
standard definition video share certain characteristics.
Both signals are interlaced, although the field order
depends on the video capture device used.
Both signals have a 4:3 aspect ratio, but a 16:9 aspect
ratio can be accommodated either anamorphic ally or
by using letterboxing.
Both use no square pixels to display the picture.
High Definition Video
All high definition formats use a no anamorphic, 16:9
aspect ratio using square pixels, just like a computer
display. Despite these similarities, there are many high
definition video formats.

What is the advantage, if any?

High-definition television (HDTV) potentially offers
a much better picture quality than standard
television. HD's greater clarity means the picture
on screen can be less blurred and less fuzzy. HD
also brings other benefits such as smoother
motion, richer and more natural colors, surround
sound, and the ability to allow a variety of input
devices to work together. However, there are a
variety of reasons why the best HD quality is not
usually achieved. The main problem is a lack of
HD input. Many cable and satellite channels and
even some "high definition" channels, are not
broadcast in true HD. Also, image quality may be
lost if the television is not properly connected to
the input device or not properly configured for the
input's optimal performance.

41.

PROGRESSIVE vs. INTERLACED VIDEO DISPLAY (TVs)

Definition: Progressive display

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Is a way of displaying, storing, or transmitting

moving images in which all the lines of each
frame are drawn in sequence.

Definition: Interlaced Display

Is a cathode-ray tube display in which the lines
are scanned alternately in two interwoven
rasterized lines.

What is the advantage, if any, of these two

different display methods on a TV?
Advantages of an Progressive scan:
In a progressive-scan system, the entire picture is
painted at once, which greatly reduces the
flickering that people notice when watching TV.
Progressive scan is available throughout a range
of TV types.
Advantages of an interlaced scan:
Traditional TV systems (such as NTSC, the
standard TV system in the United States) use an
interlaced scan, where half the picture appears on
the screen at a time. The other half of the picture
follows an instant later (1/60th of a second, to be
precise). The interlaced system relies on the fact
that your eyes cant detect this procedure in
action at least not explicitly.