LEARN ELECTRONICS FOR BEGINNERS

I. Getting Started
A. Safety
B. Scientific Notation
C. Engineering Notation
D. Metric Prefixes
E. Conventional vs Electron Flow Theory
F. Some Needed Math Skills
1. Exponential Operations - Working with Calculator
2. Resources to Sharpen Math Skills at Home
3. Equation Basics - Working with Equations
4. Equations Continued - Three Basic Concepts
G. Necessary Equipment to Start Learning Electronics
II. DC Circuits
A. Introduction
1. All the Little Things - Atoms, Charge, and Conduction
2. Conductors, Insulators, and Semiconductors
3. Voltage, Current, and Resistance
4. A Closer Look at Ohm’s Law
5. Energy and Energy Conversion
6. What Is Power
7. Where to Get Power - Power Sources
8. What’s a Circuit - Source, Path, Load, Control, Protection
9. Measurement, Accuracy, and Precision
10. The Loading Effect
B. Series Circuits
1. Ohm’s Law in Series
2. What’s a Resistor - Resistance Is Futile
3. Schematics, Diagrams, and a Yellow Brick Road
4. Basic Series Rules - Current, Voltage, Resistance, and Power
5. Who Is Kirchhoff - Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
6. Voltage Dividers
7. Measurements and Reference Points
8. Some Practice with Series Circuit Analysis
C. Parallel Circuits
1. Basic Parallel Rules - Current, Voltage, Resistance, and Power
2. Kirchhoff’s Current Law
3. Current Dividers
4. Some Practice with Parallel Circuit Analysis
D. Batteries
1. Types and Functions
2. In Series
3. In Parallel
 4. Internal Resistance
E. Series - Parallel Circuits
1. Identification and Analysis
2. What’s the Point - All About Loads
3. Driving Loads - Voltage Supply and Current Supply
4. Wheatstone Bridge - Star and Delta Simplification
5. All the Theorems
a) Thevenin’s Theorem
b) Maximum Power Transfer Theorem
c) Superposition Theorem
d) Norton’s Theorum
6. Loop, Mesh, Node, and Branch
7. Troubleshooting
F. The Formulas - Recap
III. Magnetism
A. Electricity as We Know It
B. Magnetic and Electric Fields
C. By Our Powers Combined - Electromagnetism
D. Electromagnetic Induction
E. Magnetic Hysteresis
F. Generators and Motors
1. AC and DC Generators
2. AC and DC Motors
3. The Hand Rules
a) Left Hand Rule
b) Right Hand Rule
G. Lenz’s Law
H. Faraday’s Law
I. Mutual Inductance, Coupling, and Counter EMF
J. Introducing Inductors and Capacitors - In DC Circuits
K. Time Constants and Charge
L. Capacitance - Electrostatic Force
1. In Series
2. In Parallel
M. Inductors
1. In Series
2. In Parallel
N. Charge and Discharge Curves
O. Instantaneous Current and Voltage
IV. AC Circuits
A. Introducing Alternating Current
1. Thompson vs Edison
2. How AC Is Made - Mains Power
3. Why AC? (Most Household Devices Are DC These Days)
B. Measuring AC
1. What’s a Sinusoid (And What’s Not)
2. The Oscilloscope (And a Note About Grounds)
3. RMS and Peak to Peak - Voltage and Current
4. Power (Based on RMS)
5. Trigonometry - Oh No! More Math!
6. Impedance Now, Not Resistance
C. The Imposter (Pulse Width Modulation)
D. Frequency, Period, and Phase
E. Capacitors and AC
1. Types of Capacitors and Construction (A Deeper Look)
2. Ratings, Markings, and Datasheets
3. What Are They Used For? (In AC circuits)
F. RC Circuits
1. Impedance and Phase Angle in Series
2. Impedance and Phase Angle in Parallel
3. Series and Parallel RC Circuits
4. Applications
G. Inductors and AC
1. Types and Construction
2. Ratings, markings, and Datasheets
3. Usage (In AC Circuits)
H. RL Circuits
1. Impedance and Phase Angle in Series
2. Impedance and Phase Angle in Parallel
3. Series and Parallel RL Circuits
4. Applications
I. Power in RC Circuits and RL Circuits
J. RLC Circuits
1. Series
a) Impedance and Phase Angle
b) Series Resonance and Filters
2. Parallel
a) Impedance and Phase Angle
b) Resonance and Filters
c) Applications
K. Transformers
1. Mutual Inductance Review and Self-Inductance
2. Transformer Construction and Basic Principles
3. Step-Up and Step-Down
4. Short Circuit, Open Circuit, and Loading
5. Reflected Load and Impedance Matching
6. Ratings and Datasheets
7. Multiple Windings and Taps
 8. A Brief Mention of Three Phase Electricity and Transformers
V. Basic Components - Diving Deeper
A. All About the Wires
1. Wires, Cables, Connectors, and Insulation
2. Symbols
3. Skin Effect
B. Batteries
1. The Chemistry
2. Primary and Secondary Batteries
3. Capacity and More About Internal Resistance
C. A Bit More on Resistors
1. Types
a) Rheostat, Potentiometer, and Trimmer
b) Thermistors
c) Other Resistors and Non-Linear Resistance
d) Applications
D. Switches and Relays
E. A Little More About Capacitors and Inductors
1. Capacitors
a) Ripple Filters and Arc Suppression
b) Supercapacitors
2. Inductors - Other Uses and Applications
F. Transformers
1. Auto and Isolation Transformers - Autobots Unite
2. Specialized Transformers
3. All About the Specifications
4. Figuring Out an Unlabeled Transformer
G. Fuses and Circuit Breakers
VI. Semi-Conductors
A. Silicon, Germanium, and Other Materials
B. Diodes
1. P-N Junction
2. Rectifiers
3. Zener Diodes and Special Purpose Diodes
C. Transistors
1. Bi-Polar Transistors (BJT’s)
2. Amplifiers vs Switches
3. Junction Field Effect Transistors (JFET’s)
4. Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFET’s)
5. Vacuum Tubes
6. Isolated Gate Bi-Polar Transistor (IGBT’s)
7. Darlington Pair
D. Thyristors
1. Silicon-Controlled Rectifiers and Switches
 2. Triacs
3. Four Layer Diodes (DIAC’s)
4. Transients and Suppressors
E. The Integrated Circuit
F. Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps)
1. What is it? Schematics and Pinout
2. Offset and Null
3. Uses and Applications
a) Voltage Follower
b) Inverting and Non-Inverting Amplifier
c) Summing Amplifier
d) Differential Amplifier
e) Comparator
f) Schmitt Trigger
g) Pulse Width Modulation
h) Filters and Voltage Regulators
i) Special Purpose Op-Amps
VII. Devices
A. Let There Be Light (Opto-Electronics)
1. Lamps and LED’s
2. Photoresistors and Photodiodes
3. Solar Cells
4. Phototransistors and Photothyristors
5. Optoisolators
B. Sensors
1. Temperature
2. Proximity
3. Humidity and Moisture
4. Force and Pressure
5. Motion
6. Chemical
7. Sound and Light
8. The Electromagnetic Spectrum
a) Radiation and Magnetism
b) Infrared and Radiowaves
C. Process Control
VIII. Motors and Motion
A. DC Motors
B. AC Motors
C. Speed and Direction Control
D. Servo Motors
E. Stepper Motors
F. A Little About Fluid Power
IX. Hands On in the Lab - A Closer Look at Tools, Instruments, and Prototyping
 A. Drawings, Schematics, and Prototyping
1. Computer Aided Design Programs
2. Symbols and Standards
3. The Breadboard
4. Simulators
5. Making PCB’s
6. Soldering and De-soldering - The Soldering Iron
7. Wire Wrapping
8. Enclosures
9. Troubleshooting
B. Multimeters
C. Oscilloscopes
D. Other Instruments
1. LCR
2. Wattmeter
3. Megger
4. Growler
5. Function Generator
6. Huntron - Octoscope
7. Logic Analyzer
8. Virtual Instruments
E. Decade Boxes and Test Loads
F. CNC and 3D Printing
G. Hand Tools
H. Power Supplies
I. Component Inventory
X. PLC’s, Microcontrollers, Automation, and Computers (Digital Electronics)
A. What the Heck Is Logic
B. Ladder Logic
C. Binary and Other Counting Systems
D. Clocks and Timers
E. Logic Gates and Combinational Logic
F. Multiplexers and Demuxes
G. Encoders
H. Binary Adders
I. Subtracting in Binary
J. CMOS and TTL
K. Inputs and Outputs
L. Flip-Flops
1. SR
2. D-Type
3. JK
M. Pull-up and Pull-down Resistors
N. Debouncing
 O. Counters
P. Serial and Parallel Buses
Q. Shift Registers
R. Analog Signals
S. ADC’s and DAC’s
T. Peripherals
1. Displays
2. UI’s
U. Memory
XI. Troubleshooting Methods
A. The Low Hanging Fruit
B. Divide and Conquer
C. The Technical Manual