Electronic Components

3 minute read

1. Supplies

  • AA batteries (or a small rechargeable battery pack).
  • Breadboard and jumper wires.
  • Soldering supplies (if applicable).
  • Basic tools: wire strippers, multimeter, etc.

Power Supply - From USB Mobile Charging Cable

Cut the end that is used for mobile charging and pull out the outer layer to expose 4 wires underneath.

  • The Red wire acts as Anode(+ve) while
  • the Black is used as Cathode(-ve)/Ground.

Then use the USB input end to connect with either Laptop or charging port or any power supply to avoid using batteries.

Step Up/Down Power Supply Module

Adjustable Boost Buck Converter 1.2V-24V Output

Use the mini circuit board with adjustable power supply

RGB multicolor LED

An RGB multicolor LED can come in two configurations: common cathode and common anode.

Common Cathode RGB LED

Configuration:

  • In a common cathode RGB LED, all the cathodes (negative terminals) of the red, green, and blue LEDs are connected together and typically connected to ground (0V).
  • Each of the anodes (positive terminals) of the individual LEDs is connected to a control signal or a resistor, which allows you to control the brightness and color by varying the voltage applied to each anode.

Pin Configuration:

  • Pin 1: Red Anode
  • Pin 2: Green Anode
  • Pin 3: Blue Anode
  • Pin 4: Common Cathode (connected to ground)

Operation: By applying a voltage to one or more of the anodes while keeping the common cathode grounded, you can mix the colors: Red: Turn on the red anode. Green: Turn on the green anode. Blue: Turn on the blue anode. Mixing Colors: Combine different intensities of red, green, and blue to create various colors (e.g., yellow = red + green, cyan = green + blue, magenta = red + blue).

Bench Power Supply

2. Basic Components

  • Resistors (various values).
  • Capacitors (e.g., 10µF, 100µF).
  • LEDs (various colors).
  • Diodes (1N4148 or similar).
    • Zeiner Diode - gets activated with a certain voltage

Simple LED 0.3 or 0.5 mm

  • longer leg - positive side/Anode
  • shorter leg - negative side/Cathode
    • if inner filament is visible, the larger one is cathode
    • if the filament is not visible & legs are already cut,
      • then locate the flat edge on the round base of the LED

Led diode anode cathode

-Forward Voltage (Vf): Appx. voltage of the LED is 2.0V (common for red LEDs).

  • Forward Current (If): Typically around 20 mA (0.020 A)

3. Switches

  • Push-button switches.
  • Toggle switches, banana switches

4. Transistors

  • NPN (like 2N3904) and PNP (like 2N3906) transistors. The TO-92 is a transistor package type commonly used for small, low-power transistors. It’s a plastic-encapsulated package with a distinctive shape that looks like a small cylinder with a flat edge on one side.

Active Components vs Passive

Component Type Examples Function Power Requirement
Active Transistors, ICs, Op-Amps Amplify, switch, generate signals Needs an external power source
Passive Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors Store or dissipate energy, filter No external power source needed

5. Integrated Circuits

  • 555 timer IC.
  • Simple logic gate ICs (like AND, OR).

6. Sensors

  • Photoresistor (LDR).
  • Temperature sensor (LM35 or similar).

IR Sensor

IR LEDs typically operate at wavelengths between 700 nm and 1 mm, depending on the specific type and application.

  • IR Transmitter : IR LED - Emits infrared light.
  • IR Receiver : IR Photodiode or Phototransistor - Detects the infrared light and converts it back into an electrical signal.

7. Motors

  • Small DC motors.
  • Servo motors.
  • brushless DC motor - Drone motor with Type A and B fans

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