Area: Technology and Livelihood Education

Subject: Basic Electronics

LET Competencies:
1. Apply the Fundamentals of Electronics in Household Appliances
2. Identify Electronic Tools and Components used in Common Household Appliances
3. Interpret Electronics Schematic Diagram
4. Analyze Basic Electronic Circuit Trouble in Appliances
5. Appraise the Result of Simple Electronic Circuit Repair

Fundamentals of Electronic

Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science and engineering concerned with the theory, design,
and the use of devices which involve the transmission of power by utilizing electron emission or
absorption. Electronics includes all aspects of photoelectric cells, transistors, circuits, cathode-ray
tubes, electron tubes, oscilloscopes, electron microscopes, broadcasting, radio, television,
telephone, and many other industries.

Definition of Terms
1. Passive – Capable of operating without an external power source. A typical passive
components are resistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes (although the latter are a
special case).
2. Active – Requiring a source of power to operate. It includes transistors (all types),
integrated circuits (all types), TRIACs, SCRs, LEDs, etc.
3. Electronic components - is any physical entity in an electronic system whose intention is
to affect the electrons or their associated fields in a desired manner consistent with the
intended function of the electronic system
4. Electrical Circuit - is a network that has a closed loop, giving a return path for the current
5. Network - is a connection of two or more components, and may not necessarily be a
circuit
6. Conductors – are metals and other substances where electrons can move freely
7. Insulators – substances where electrons cannot move freely
8. Transformer – is an electronic devised used in producing desired voltage
9. Inductors – the choke or coil in a circuit that oppose changes in electric current
10. Semiconductors – a group that are neither good conductors nor good insulators

Basic Electronic Tools

1. Electric Drill and Drill Bits - in the range of 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch will come in handy when
you need to drill holes on the printed circuit board that has been etched. Drilling of plastic
or metal enclosure that houses the printed circuit board are sometimes necessary.
2. Soldering Iron - a 20 Watt to 30 Watt soldering iron with tips of 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch can
be used for soldering of through hole components. Soldering of surface mount
components may require smaller tips depending on the sizes of the components.
Soldering iron normally will last a long time if it is taken care of properly by keeping the
tips clean and well tinned.
3. Disordering Pump - A pump aids in the removal of the liquid solder. It is operated by a
spring-loaded vacuum pump and controlled by a simple trigger.
4. Vacuum Pick Up Tool - A pick and place head for transferring die or chips containing
electronic circuitry from waffle packs to substrates prior to lead bonding operations.
5. Soldering Stand - It keeps the iron away from flammable materials
6. Helping Hand Tool - A crucial tool in doing successful electronics work. It consists of a
weighted base, arms ending in alligator clips, magnifying glass and flexible joint.
7. Wire stripper - is used to strip off wire insulator from its conductor before it is used to
connect to another wire or soldered into the printed circuit board. Some wire stripper or
wire cutter has a measurement engraved on it to indicate the length that will be stripped.
8. Long nose Pliers – a 4-inch long nose pliers will come in handy when you need to hold
components that have short leads that need to be soldered onto the PCB but will be too
hot to handle with bare hands. It will also be useful to hold the component that needs to
be de-soldered from the board.

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Area: Technology and Livelihood Education
Subject: Basic Electronics

9. Side-Cutting Pliers - 4-inch side cutting pliers will come in handy as one of the electronic
tools when one need to trim off excess component leads on the printed circuit board. It
can also be used to cut wires into shorter length before being used.
10. Small tweezers - is used to hold small components especially when doing soldering and
de-soldering of surface mount components.
11. Philips Head Screwdrivers -various sizes of Philips head screwdrivers will be handy as a
lot of electronics projects that use screws are Philips Head type.
12. Flat Head Screwdrivers - of various sizes are also necessary as many screws that are used
are of this type.
13. Hammer - a small, light hammer will be useful when assembling projects that involved
casing.

Maintenance Tips of Electronic Tools

1. Good quality tools that are being purchased can last a lifetime if they are taken care of
properly.
2. Ensure that the tools are used only for their intended purposes.
3. Keep them lubricated with a light film of oil to inhibit rust.
4. Keep the tools clean and sharp; keep the soldering tips clean and well tinned.
5. Ensure that proper uses of the tools are always adhered to by following the instructions
of using the tools.

Electronic Components
These are the basic electronic element usually packaged in a discrete form with two or
more connecting leads or metallic pads in which intended to be connected together, usually by
soldering to a printed circuit board, to create an electronic circuit with a particular function (for
example an amplifier, radio receiver, or oscillator) may be packaged singly (resistor, capacitor,
transistor, diode etc.) or in more or less complex groups as integrated circuits (operational
amplifier, resistor array, logic gate etc.)

1. Capacitors
Capacitor is a device able to temporarily store electricity. It was invented by Ewald Georg
von Kleist (October 1745). These relatively simple components consist of two pieces of conducting
material (such as metal) separated by a non-conducting (insulating) material called a dielectric.
When a voltage potential difference exists between the conductors, an electric field is present in
the dielectric. This field stores energy and produces a mechanical force between the plates. The
effect is greatest between wide, flat, parallel, narrowly separated conductors.

Types of Capacitor
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
A capacitor stores electric charge. A capacitor is
used with a resistor in a timing circuit. It can
Capacitor
also be used as a filter, to block DC signals but
pass AC signals.
A capacitor stores electric charge. This type
must be connected the correct way round. A
Capacitor, polarized capacitor is used with a resistor in a timing
circuit. It can also be used as a filter, to block DC
signals but pass AC signals.
Variable Capacitor A variable capacitor is used in a radio tuner.
This type of variable capacitor (a trimmer) is
operated with a small screwdriver or similar
Trimmer Capacitor
tool. It is designed to be set when the circuit is
made and then left without further adjustment.

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Area: Technology and Livelihood Education
Subject: Basic Electronics

2. Diode
This device is used to limit the movement of electricity to move in one specific direction.
Some diodes are also designed to produce light or to act as a switch in an electrical circuit. It has
two active electrodes between which the signal of interest may flow, and most are used for their
unidirectional electric current property. Diode also allows an electric current to flow through them
in only one direction. They are also known as rectifiers. It can be used to change alternating
currents (ones flowing back and forth round a circuit, constantly swapping direction) into direct
currents (ones that always flow in the same direction).

Types of Diode
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
This type of diode allows current to flow in one
Diode
direction.
Light Emitting This type diode permits the transfer of electric
Diode (LED) current between the electrodes to produced light
Avalanche This type diode operates in the reverse bias, and
Diode used avalanche effect for its operation.
This type of diodes feature lower forward voltage
Schottky Diodes drop as compared to the ordinary silicon PN junction
diodes
A special type of diode which is used to maintain a
Zener diode fixed or stable reference voltage across its terminals.

This type of photo detector diode capable of

Photodiode converting light into either current or voltage,
depending upon the mode of operation
Varicap Diode This type of diode feature a reverse bias placed upon
or Varactor it, which varies the width of the depletion layer as
Diode per the voltage placed across the diode.

3. Transistor
An electrical circuit needs to have switches to control the current. In electronic
equipment, the most useful kind of switch is the transistor. Transistors is invented by William
Shockley which considered by many as the father of transistor. This device commonly varies in
composition and in the arrangement of the components. It is use to amplify or switch electronics
signals which is made of a solid piece of a semiconductor material, with at least three terminals
for connection to an external circuit. The diagram below shows the components in one kind of
transistor.

Gate: The post of a transistor that receives the current

used to turn the switch on completing the circuit so
electricity can flow

Source: The post of a transistor where the current in

the closed circuit enters the transistor

Drain: The post of a transistor that passes the current

from the transistor and on through the closed circuits

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Area: Technology and Livelihood Education
Subject: Basic Electronics

A transistor is turned on when an electrical charge is applied

to the gate. This changes the electrical charge in the
transistor to allow electrons to move from the source to the
drain. If the transistor is turned off—no electrical charge on
the gate—the pathway of the circuit is broken and the
current stops.

Types of Transistor
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
A transistor amplifies current. It can be used with
Transistor NPN other components to make an amplifier or
switching circuit.

A transistor amplifies current. It can be used with

Transistor PNP other components to make an amplifier or
switching circuit.

Phototransistor A light-sensitive transistor.

4. Resistor
This device is the simplest components in any circuit. With a measurable ability to resist
the flow of electrons used to control the strength of the current in a circuit. Resistors come in
many different shapes and sizes.

Composition Types of Resistor

Type Description
This type of resistor are made of carbon dust or graphite paste, and
Carbon Composition
used for low wattage values
This type of resistor is made by depositing pure metals, such as
Film resistors nickel, or an oxide film, such as tin-oxide, onto an insulating
ceramic rod or substrate, very low wattage values.
This type of resistor made of metallic bodies for heat sink
Wire wound Resistors
mounting, very high wattage ratings

Kinds of Resistor
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
Resistor is an electrical component that
Resistor
reduces the electric current.
This type of variable resistor with 2
contacts (a rheostat) is usually used to
control current. Examples include:
Variable Resistor
adjusting lamp brightness, adjusting
(Rheostat)
motor speed, and adjusting the rate of
flow of charge into a capacitor in a timing
circuit.
This type of variable resistor with 3
contacts (a potentiometer) is usually used
Variable Resistor to control voltage. It can be used like this
(Potentiometer) as a transducer converting position (angle
of the control spindle) to an electrical
signal.

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Area: Technology and Livelihood Education
Subject: Basic Electronics

This type of variable resistor (a preset) is

operated with a small screwdriver or
similar tool. It is designed to be set when
Variable Resistor
the circuit is made and then left without
(Preset)
further adjustment. Presets are cheaper
than normal variable resistors so they are
often used in projects to reduce the cost.

Summary
 Capacitor: A device able to filter and temporarily store electricity
 Diode: A device that is used to limit the movement of electricity to move in one specific
direction. Some diodes are also designed to produce light or to act as a switch in an
electrical circuit.
 Resistor: A device with a measurable ability to resist the flow of electrons used to control
the strength of the current in a circuit
 Transistor: A type of switch that contains no moving parts and uses electricity to turn
itself on and off

Resistor Color Coding

3rd band 4th band Temp.
COLOR 1ST band 2nd band
(multiplier) (tolerance) Coefficient
Black 0 0
Brown 1 1 + 1% (F) 100 ppm
Red 2 2 + 2% (G) 50 ppm
Orange 3 3 15 ppm
Yellow 4 4 25 ppm
Green 5 5 + 0.5 % (D)
Blue 6 6 + 0.25% (C)
Violet 7 7 + 0.1% (B)
Gray 8 8 + 0.05% (A)
White 9 9
Gold + 5% (J)
Silver + 10% (K)
None + 20% (M)

Types of Circuit Board

Breadboard
 Temporary, no soldering required
 This is a way of making a temporary circuit, for testing purposes or to try out an idea.
 No soldering is required and all the components can be re-used afterwards.
 It is easy to change connections and replace components

Strip board
 Permanent, soldered
 Strip board has parallel strips of copper track on one side. The strips are 0.1" (2.54mm)
apart and there are holes every 0.1" (2.54mm).
 Strip board requires no special preparation other than cutting to size. It can be cut with a
junior hacksaw, or simply snap it along the lines of holes by putting it over the edge of a
bench or table and pushing hard.

Printed Circuit Board

 Permanent, soldered
 Printed circuit boards have copper tracks connecting the holes where the components
are placed.

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Area: Technology and Livelihood Education
Subject: Basic Electronics

Electronic Schematic Diagram

Simple Amplifier Circuit Diagram

 These are used extensively in repair manuals to help users understand the relative
position of parts and components and to provide graphical instruction to assist in taking
apart and rebuilding mechanical assemblies.

Pictorial Diagram
 The simplest among diagrams
 It shows a picture or sketch of the various components of a specific system and the wiring
between these components
 This type of diagram shows the various components without regard to their physical
location, how the wiring is marked, or how the wiring is routed.

Other Electronic Device

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
A transducer which converts sound to electrical
Microphone
energy.
A transducer which converts electrical energy to
Earphone
sound.
A transducer which converts electrical energy to
Loudspeaker
sound.
A transducer which converts electrical energy to
Piezo Transducer
sound.
An amplifier circuit with one input. Really it is a block
Amplifier
diagram symbol because it represents a circuit
(general symbol)
rather than just one component.
Aerial A device which is designed to receive or transmit
(Antenna) radio signals. It is also known as an antenna.

Meters and Oscilloscope

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
A voltmeter is used to measure voltage. The proper
Voltmeter name for voltage is 'potential difference', but most
people prefer to say voltage.
Ammeter An ammeter is used to measure current.
A galvanometer is a very sensitive meter which is
Galvanometer
used to measure tiny currents, usually 1mA or less.
An ohmmeter is used to measure resistance. Most
Ohmmeter
multimeters have an ohmmeter setting.
An oscilloscope is used to display the shape of
Oscilloscope electrical signals and it can be used to measure their
voltage and time period.

Sensors (input devices)

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
Light Dependent A transducer which converts brightness (light) to
Resistor (LDR) resistance (an electrical property).
A transducer which converts temperature (heat) to
Thermistor
resistance (an electrical property).

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Area: Technology and Livelihood Education
Subject: Basic Electronics

Logic Gates
Gate Traditional
IEC Symbol Function of Gate
Type Symbol
A NOT gate can only have one input. The 'o' on
the output means 'not'. The output of a NOT
NOT gate is the inverse (opposite) of its input, so the
output is true when the input is false. A NOT
gate is also called an inverter.
An AND gate can have two or more inputs. The
AND output of an AND gate is true when all its inputs
are true.
A NAND gate can have two or more inputs. The
'o' on the output means 'not' showing that it is a
NAND
Not AND gate. The output of a NAND gate is true
unless all its inputs are false.
An OR gate can have two or more inputs. The
OR output of an OR gate is true when at least one of
its inputs is true.
A NOR gate can have two or more inputs. The 'o'
on the output means 'not' showing that it is a
NOR
Not OR gate. The output of a NOR gate is true
when none of its inputs are true.
An EX-OR gate can only have two inputs. The
EX-OR output of an EX-OR gate is true when its inputs
are different (one true, one false).
An EX-NOR gate can only have two inputs. The
'o' on the output means 'not' showing that it is a
EX-NOR Not EX-OR gate. The output of an EX-NOR gate
is true when its inputs are the same (both true
or both false).

Basic Electronic Circuit Trouble in Appliances

1. Broken wiring inside cord set - internal breaks in the conductors of cord sets or other
connecting cords caused by flexing, pulling, or other long term abuse. This is one of the most
common problems with vacuum cleaners which tend to be dragged around by their tails.

2. Bad internal connections - broken wires, corroded or loosened terminals. Wires may break
from vibration, corrosion, poor manufacturing, as well as thermal fatigue. The break may be
in a heating element or other subassembly. In many cases, failure will be total as in when one
of the AC line connections falls off. At other times, operation will be intermittent or erratic -
or parts of the appliance will not function. For example, with a blow dryer, the heating
element could open up but the fan may continue to run properly.

3. Short circuits – When two wires touching or contacting the metal case of an appliance
happens too often. Partially, this is due to the shoddy manufacturing quality of many small
appliances like toaster ovens. These also have metal (mostly) cabinets and many metal
interior parts with sharp edges which can readily eat through wire insulation due to repeated
vibrations, heating and cooling cycles, and the like.

4. A short circuit may develop with no operational problems - but the case of the appliance will
be electrically 'hot'. This is a dangerous situation. Large appliances with 3 wire plugs - plugged
into a properly grounded 3 wire circuit - would then blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker.
However, small appliances like toaster, broilers, irons, etc., have two wire plugs and will just
set there with a live cabinet.

5. Worn, dirty, or broken switches or thermostat contacts - These will result in erratic or no
action when the switch is flipped or thermostat knob is turned. In many cases, the part will

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Area: Technology and Livelihood Education
Subject: Basic Electronics

feel bad - it won't have that 'click' it had when new or may be hard to turn or flip. Often,
however, operation will just be erratic - jiggling the switch or knob will make the motor or
light go on or off, for example.

6. Gummed up lubrication, or worn or dry bearings - Often, due to environmental conditions

(dust, dirt, humidity) or just poor quality control during manufacture, a motor or fan bearing
will gum up or become dry resulting in sluggish and/or noisy operation and overheating. In
extreme cases, the bearing may seize resulting in a totally stopped motor. If not detected, this
may result in a blown fuse (at the least) and possibly a burnt out motor from the overheating.

7. Broken or worn drive belts or gears - rotating parts do not rotate or turn slowly or with little
power even through the motor is revving its little head off. When the brush drive belt in an
upright vacuum cleaner breaks, the results are obvious and the broken belt often falls to the
ground (to be eaten by the dog or mistaken for a mouse tail. However, there are often other
belts inside appliances which will result in less obvious consequences when they loosen with
age or fail completely.

8. Broken parts - plastic or metal castings, linkages, washers, and other 'doodads' are often not
constructed quite the way they used to be. When any of these fail, they can bring a
complicated appliance to its knees. Failure may be caused by normal wear and tear, improper
use, accidents, or shoddy manufacturing.

9. Insect damage - Many appliances make inviting homes for all sorts of multi- legged creatures.
Evidence of their visits or extended stays will be obvious including frayed insulation, short
circuits caused by bodily fluids or entire bodies, remains of food and droppings. Even the
smallest ventilation hole can be a front door.

Simple Electronic Circuit Repair

1. Broken wiring inside cord set - If the problem is intermittent, plug the appliance in and turn
it on. Then try bending or pushing the wire toward the plug or appliance connector end to see
if you can make the internal conductors touch at least momentarily. If the cord set is
removable, test between ends with a continuity checker or multimeter on the low ohms scale.
If it is not detachable, open the appliance to perform this test.

2. Bad internal connections - In many cases, a visual inspection with some careful flexing and
prodding will reveal the location of the bad connection. If it is an intermittent, this may need
to be done with a well insulated stick while the appliance is on and running. When all else
fails, the use of a continuity checker or multimeter on the low ohms scale can identify broken
connections which are not obviously wires visibly broken in two. For testing heating elements,
use the multimeter as a continuity checker may not be sensitive enough since the element
normally has some resistance.

3. Short circuits -Visually inspect for bare wires or wires with frayed or worn insulation touching
metal parts, terminals they should not be connected to, or other wires. Use a multi-meter on
the high ohms scale to check between both prongs of the AC plug and any exposed metal
parts. Try all positions of any power or selector switches. Any resistance measurement less
than 100K ohms or so is cause for concern - and further checking. Also test between internal
terminals and wires that should not be connected together.

4. Worn, dirty, or broken switches or thermostat contacts - Where there is a changed feel to
the switch or thermostat with an associated operational problem, there is little doubt that
the part is bad and must be replaced. Where this is not the case, label the connections to the
switch or thermostat and then remove the wires. Use the continuity checker or ohmmeter
across each set of contacts. They should be 0 ohms or open depending on the position of the
switch or knob and nothing in between. In most cases, you should be able to obtain both
readings. The exception is with respect to thermostats where room temperature is off one

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Area: Technology and Livelihood Education
Subject: Basic Electronics

end of their range. Inability to make the contacts open or close or erratic intermediate
resistances which are affected by tapping or jiggling are a sure sign of a bad set of contacts.

5. Gummed up lubrication, or worn or dry bearings - If the appliance does not run but there is
a hum (AC line operated appliances) or runs sluggishly or with less power than you recall when
new, lubrication problems are likely. With the appliance unplugged, check for free rotation of
the motor(s). In general, the shaft sticking out of the motor itself should turn freely with very
little resistance. If it is difficult to turn, the motor bearings themselves may need attention or
the mechanism attached to the motor may be filled with crud. In most cases, a thorough
cleaning to remove all the old dried up and contaminated oil or grease followed by relubing
with similar oil or grease as appropriate will return the appliance to good health. Don't skimp
on the disassembly - total cleaning will be best. Even the motor should be carefully removed
and broken down to its component parts - end plates, rotor, and stator, brushes (if any) in
order to properly clean and lubricate its bearings.

6. Broken or worn drive belts or gears - Except for the case of a vacuum cleaner where the belt
is readily accessible, open the appliance. A good rubber belt will be perfectly elastic and will
return to its relaxed length instantly when stretched by 25 percent and let go. It will not be
cracked, shiny, hard, or brittle. A V-type belt should be dry (no oil coating), undamaged (not
cracked, brittle, or frayed), and tight (it should deflect 1/4" to 1/2" when pressed firmly
halfway between the pulleys).

7. Broken parts - In many cases, the problem will be obvious. Where it is not, some careful
detective work - putting the various mechanisms through their paces - should reveal what is
not functioning. Although replacement parts may be available, you can be sure that their cost
will be excessive and improvisation may ultimately be the best approach to repair.

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