Electronics For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Foolish Assumptions
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 Fathoming the Fundamentals of Electronics
	Chapter 1 Introducing You to Electronics
		Just What Is Electronics?
		Checking Out Electric Current
			Exploring an atom
			Getting a charge out of protons and electrons
			Identifying conductors and insulators
			Mobilizing electrons to create current
		Understanding Voltage
			Let the force be with you
			Why voltage needs to be different
		Putting Electrical Energy to Work
			Tapping into electrical energy
			Working electrons deliver power
		Using Circuits to Make Sure Electrons Arrive at Their Destination
		Supplying Electrical Energy
			Getting direct current from a battery
			Using alternating current from a power plant
			Transforming light into electricity
			Using symbols to represent energy sources
		Marveling at What Electrons Can Do
			Creating good vibrations
			Seeing is believing
			Sensing and alarming
			Controlling motion
			Computing
			Voice, video, and data communications
	Chapter 2 Gearing Up to Explore Electronics
		Getting the Tools You Need
		Stocking Up on Essential Supplies
		Getting Ready to Rumble
		Using a Solderless Breadboard
	Chapter 3 Running Around in Circuits
		Comparing Closed, Open, and Short Circuits
		Understanding Conventional Current Flow
		Examining a Basic Circuit
			Building the basic LED circuit
			Examining voltages
			Measuring current
			Calculating power
	Chapter 4 Making Connections
		Creating Series and Parallel Circuits
			Series connections
			Parallel connections
		Switching Electric Current On and Off
			Controlling the action of a switch
			Making the right contacts
		Creating a Combination Circuit
		Switching On the Power
		What Do Circuits Look Like?
Part 2 Controlling Current with Components
	Chapter 5 Meeting Up withResistance
		Resisting the Flow of Current
		Resistors: Passive Yet Powerful
			What are resistors used for?
			Choosing a type of resistor: Fixed or variable
			Reading into fixed resistors
			Rating resistors according to power
		Combining Resistors
			Resistors in series
			Resistors in parallel
			Combining series and parallel resistors
	Chapter 6 Obeying Ohm’s Law
		Defining Ohm’s Law
			Driving current through a resistance
			It’s constantly proportional!
			One law, three equations
		Using Ohm’s Law to Analyze Circuits
			Calculating current through a component
			Calculating voltage across a component
			Calculating an unknown resistance
		Seeing Is Believing: Ohm’s Law Really Works!
		What Is Ohm’s Law Really Good For?
			Analyzing complex circuits
			Designing and altering circuits
		The Power of Joule’s Law
			Using Joule’s Law to choose components
			Joule and Ohm: perfect together
	Chapter 7 Getting Charged Up about Capacitors
		Capacitors: Reservoirs for Electrical Energy
		Charging and Discharging Capacitors
			Watching a capacitor charge
			Opposing voltage change
			Giving alternating current a pass
		Discovering Uses for Capacitors
		Characterizing Capacitors
			Defining capacitance
			Keeping an eye on the working voltage
			Choosing the right dielectric for the job
			Sizing up capacitor packaging
			Being positive about capacitor polarity
			Reading into capacitor values
			Varying capacitance
			Interpreting capacitor symbols
		Combining Capacitors
			Capacitors in parallel
			Capacitors in series
		Teaming Up with Resistors
			Timing is everything
			Calculating RC time constants
			Varying the RC time constant
	Chapter 8 Identifying with Inductors
		Kissing Cousins: Magnetism and Electricity
			Drawing the (flux) lines with magnets
			Producing a magnetic field with electricity
			Inducing current with a magnet
		Introducing the Inductor: A Coil with a Magnetic Personality
			Measuring inductance
			Opposing current changes
			Calculating the RL time constant
			Keeping up with alternating current (or not!)
			Behaving differently depending on frequency
		Uses for Inductors
		Using Inductors in Circuits
			Reading inductance values
			Combining shielded inductors
		Tuning in to Radio Broadcasts
			Resonating with RLC circuits
			Ensuring rock-solid resonance with crystals
		Influencing the Coil Next Door: Transformers
			Letting unshielded coils interact
			Isolating circuits from a power source
			Stepping up, stepping down voltages
	Chapter 9 Diving into Diodes
		Are We Conducting or Aren’t We?
			Sizing up semiconductors
			Creating N-types and P-types
			Joining N-types and P-types to create components
		Forming a Junction Diode
			Biasing the diode
			Conducting current through a diode
			Rating your diode
			Identifying with diodes
			Which end is up?
		Using Diodes in Circuits
			Rectifying AC
			Regulating voltage with Zener diodes
			Seeing the light with LEDs
			Turning on an LED
			Other uses of diodes
	Chapter 10 Tremendously Talented Transistors
		Transistors: Masters of Switching and Amplifying
			Bipolar junction transistors
			Field-effect transistors
			Recognizing a transistor when you see one
			Making all kinds of components possible
		Examining How Transistors Work
			Using a model to understand transistors
			Operating a transistor
		Amplifying Signals with a Transistor
			Biasing the transistor so it acts like an amplifier
			Controlling the voltage gain
			Configuring transistor amplifier circuits
		Switching Signals with a Transistor
		Choosing Transistors
			Important transistor ratings
			Identifying transistors
		Gaining Experience with Transistors
			Amplifying current
			The switch is on!
	Chapter 11 Innovating with Integrated Circuits
		Why ICs?
		Linear, Digital, or Combination Plate?
		Making Decisions with Logic
			Beginning with bits
			Processing data with gates
			Simplifying gates with truth tables
			Creating logical components
		Using ICs
			Identifying ICs with part numbers
			Packaging is everything
			Probing IC pinouts
			Relying on IC datasheets
		Using Your Logic
			Seeing the light at the end of the NAND gate
			Turning three NAND gates into an OR gate
		Hanging Out with Some Popular ICs
			Operational amplifiers
			IC time machine: the 555 timer
			Counting on the 4017 decade counter
			Microcontrollers
			Other popular ICs
	Chapter 12 Acquiring Additional Parts
		Making Connections
			Choosing wires wisely
			Plugging in to connectors
		Powering Up
			Turning on the juice with batteries
			Getting power from the sun
			Using wall power to supply higher DC current or voltage (not recommended)
		Using Your Sensors
			Seeing the light
			Capturing sound with microphones
			Feeling the heat
			More energizing input transducers
		Experiencing the Outcome of Electronics
			Speaking of speakers
			Sounding off with buzzers
			Creating good vibrations with DC motors
Part 3 Getting Serious about Electronics
	Chapter 13 Preparing Your Lab and Ensuring Your Safety
		Picking a Place to Practice Electronics
			The top ingredients for a great lab
			Workbench basics
		Acquiring Tools and Supplies
			Amassing a multimeter
			Stockpiling soldering equipment
			Hoarding hand tools
			Collecting cloths and cleansers
			Loading up on lubricants
			Stocking up on sticky stuff
			Other tools and supplies
		Stocking Up on Parts and Components
			Solderless breadboards
			Circuit-building starter kit
			Adding up the extras
			Organizing all your parts
		Protecting You and Your Electronics
			Understanding that electricity can really hurt
			Soldering safely
			Avoiding static like the plague
	Chapter 14 Interpreting Schematics
		What’s a Schematic and Why Should I Care?
		Seeing the Big Picture
			It’s all about your connections
			Looking at a simple battery circuit
		Recognizing Symbols of Power
			Showing where the power is
			Marking your ground
		Labeling Circuit Components
			Analog electronic components
			Digital logic and IC components
			Miscellaneous components
		Knowing Where to Take Measurements
		Exploring a Schematic
		Alternative Schematic Drawing Styles
	Chapter 15 Building Circuits
		Taking a Look at Solderless Breadboards
			Exploring a solderless breadboard
			Sizing up solderless breadboard varieties
		Building Circuits with Solderless Breadboards
			Preparing your parts and tools
			Saving time with prestripped wires
			Laying out your circuit
			Avoiding damaged circuits
		Soldering 101
			Preparing to solder
			Soldering for success
			Inspecting the joint
			Desoldering when necessary
			Cooling after soldering
			Practicing safe soldering
		Creating a Permanent Circuit
			Exploring a printed circuit board
			Relocating your circuit to a perfboard
			Making a custom circuit board
	Chapter 16 Mastering Your Multimeter to Measure Circuits
		Multitasking with a Multimeter
			It’s a voltmeter!
			It’s an ammeter!
			Ohm my! It’s an ohmmeter, too!
		Exploring Multimeters
			Choosing a style: analog or digital
			Taking a closer look at a digital multimeter
			Homing in on the range
		Setting Up Your Multimeter
		Operating Your Multimeter
			Measuring voltage
			Measuring current
			Measuring resistance
			Running other multimeter tests
		Using a Multimeter to Check Your Circuits
	Chapter 17 Putting Projects Together
		Getting What You Need Right Off the Bat
		Creating an LED Flasher Circuit
			Exploring a 555 flasher
			Building the LED flasher circuit
			Checking your handiwork
		Creating an LED Bike Flasher
		Catching Intruders with a Light-Sensing Alarm
			Assembling the light alarm parts list
			Making your alarm work for you
		Playing the C-Major Scale
		Scaring Off the Bad Guys with a Siren
			Scoping out the 555 siren parts list
			How your warbler works
		Building an Audio Amp with Volume Control
		Creating Light Chasers
			Building Light Chaser 1
			Building Light Chaser 2
		Red Light, Green Light, 1-2-3!
Part 4 The Part of Tens
	Chapter 18 Ten Ways to Explore Electronics Further
		Surfing for Circuits
		Getting a Jumpstart with Hobby Kits
		Simulating Circuit Operation
		Scoping Out Signals
		Counting Up Those Megahertz
		Generating a Variety of Signals
		Exploring Basic Computer Architectures
		Microcontrolling Your Environment
		Getting a Taste of Raspberry Pi
		Try, Fry, and Try Again
	Chapter 19 Ten Great Electronics Parts Sources
		North America
			All Electronics
			Allied Electronics
			Digi-Key
			Electronic Goldmine
			Jameco Electronics
			Mouser Electronics
			Parts Express
			RadioShack
		Outside North America
			Premier Farnell (UK)
			Maplin (UK)
		What’s RoHS Compliance?
		New or Surplus?
Glossary
Index
EULA