ANK L5, Construction Manual

Page: 10 / 76

Copyright © 2019 AudioNote Kits
www.AudioNoteKits.com
audionotekits@rogers.com
Page 10
1.4.2 Components
Using the Ohm setting on your multimeter is very useful when building a kit. It's a good, practical
way of measuring resistors and continuity and is much easier than reading the color codes on the
side. (With practice, the color codes can also be a good way to determine the resistance, but that
method is better left to experienced builders.)
1.4.3 Resistor Sizes
Resistors today, particularly metal film resistors, are often smaller than you might expect. It used to
be that the difference between a 1/2W and a 1W resistor was obvious: the 1W was considerably
larger. That way of looking at things sometimes now no longer applies. Please be assured that all
resistors supplied with ANK Audio Kits are rated at least per the specified wattage: in some cases, a
higher than specified wattage may be supplied.
1.4.4 Capacitor Manufacturers and Voltage Ratings
Occasionally, depending on parts availability, we may use capacitors from different manufacturers.
These will always be of equal or higher quality! As a result, some of the pictures in the manual may
look a bit different at times. With regard to voltage ratings, normally, the voltage rating of the
supplied capacitors will be exactly what you see on the parts lists. Occasionally, a part may be
supplied with a higher voltage. Think nothing of it!
1.4.5 Electrolytic Capacitors
For those who have not built a piece of electronics before, here is a little lesson on capacitors. There
are basically two types of capacitors that we use in the kits: electrolytic and signal capacitors. Of
these, electrolytic capacitors require special attention. Electrolytic capacitors are “polarized,” which
means they have a POSITIVE (+) and a NEGATIVE (–) lead and typically have values like 100uf 450V,
10uf 160V, or 470uf 35V.
These capacitors need to be installed correctly or else they will possibly
blow up at some point!
Each electrolytic capacitor will have a
wide stripe
on the NEGATIVE side. Always ensure that this
stripe (NEGATIVE) is positioned correctly. There are several keys on a printed circuit board to help
you to know how to position the capacitor:
1. There may be a "+" on the board indicating where to position the POSITIVE lead.
2. The segmented half of the circular stencil on the board shows where to position the NEGATIVE
lead. The unsegmented ('half-moon') part of the circle is where the POSITIVE lead goes.
3. The POSITIVE lead goes to a square solder pad while the NEGATIVE lead goes to a round solder
pad.