DC Motor
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
Spins when a current is passed through it.
2
Identifying:
Things to watch out for:
This one is easy, it looks like a motor. Usually
- Using a transistor or relay that is rated for
a cylinder with a shaft coming out of one
the size of motor you're using.
end
More Details on Wikipedia:
http://tinyurl.com/d826yh
Hobby Servo
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
Takes a timed pulse and converts it into an
3
angular position of the output shaft.
Things to watch out for:
Identifying:
- The plug is not polarized so make sure it
A plastic box with 3 wires coming out one
is plugged in the right way.
side and a shaft with a plastic horn out the
More Details:
top.
http://tinyurl.com/4zo4he
07
06
04 ELEC
electronics
primer
.: A Small Electronics Primer:.
04 ELEC
electronics
primer
Electronics in Brief
No previous electronic experience is required to have fun with this kit. Here are a few details
about each component to make identifying, and perhaps understanding them, a bit easier. If at
any point you are worried about how a component is used or why its not working the internet
offers a treasure trove of advice, or we can be contacted at
Component Details
LED
(Light Emitting Diode)
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
Emits light when a small current is passed
2
(one longer this one connects to positive)
through it.
(only in one direction)
Things to watch out for:
Identifying:
- Will only work in one direction
Looks like a mini light bulb.
- Requires a current limiting resistor
More Details on Wikipedia:
http://tinyurl.com/zhpyv
Piezo Element
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
A pulse of current will cause it to click a
2
stream of pulses will cause it to emit a tone.
Things to watch out for:
Identifying:
- Difficult to misuse.
In this kit it comes in a little black barrel, but
More Details:
sometimes they are just a gold disc.
http://tinyurl.com/38crmu
Potentiometer
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
Produces a variable resistance dependant on
3
the angular position of the shaft.
Things to watch out for:
Identifying:
- Accidentally buying logarithmic scale.
They can be packaged in many different
More Details:
form factors, look for a dial to identify.
http://tinyurl.com/28pbhd
IC (Integrated Circuit)
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
Packages any range of complicated
2 - 100s
(in this kit there is one with 3 (TMP36) and
one with 16 (74HC595)
electronics inside, an easy to use form factor
Things to watch out for:
Identifying:
- Proper orientation.
(look for marks showing pin 1)
The part ID is written on the outside of the
More Details:
package. (this sometimes requires a lot of
http://tinyurl.com/87k4d
light or a magnifying glass to read)
Photo Resistor
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
Produces a variable resistance dependant on
2
the amount of incident light.
Things to watch out for:
Identifying:
- Remember it needs to be in a voltage
Usually a little disk with a clear top and a
divider before it provides a useful input.
curvy line underneath.
More Details:
http://tinyurl.com/c2wdkw
Component Details (cont.)
Pushbutton
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
Completes a circuit when it is pressed
4
Identifying:
Things to watch out for:
A little square with leads out the bottom and
- these are almost square so can be
a button on the top.
inserted 90 degrees off angle.
More Details:
http://tinyurl.com/cmts7d
0 - Black
5 - Green
20% - none
1 - Brown
6 - Blue
10% - silver
2 - Red
7 - Purple
5% - gold
3 - Orange
8 - Grey
4 - Yellow
9 - White
first digit
second digit
# of zeros
tolerance
Examples:
:
green-blue-brown - 560 ohms
red-red-red - 2 200 ohms (2.2k)
Resistor Color Code
Lead Clipping
Some components in this kit come with very long wire
leads. To make them more compatible with a breadboard
a couple of changes are required.
LEDs:
Clip the leads so the long lead is ~7mm long and the
short one is ~5mm
Resistors:
Bend the leads down so they are 90 degrees to the
cylinder. Then snip them so they are ~6mm long.
Other Components:
Other components may need clipping
use your discretion when doing so.
Resistors
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
Restricts the amount of current that can flow
2
through a circuit.
Things to watch out for:
Identifying:
- Easy to grab the wrong value
(double check
the colors before using)
Cylinder with wires extending from either
More Details on Wikipedia:
end. The resistance value is displayed using
http://tinyurl.com/cmeqw5
a color coding system (for details see next
page)
Transistor
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
Uses a small current to switch or amplify a
3 (Base, Collector, Emitter)
much larger current.
Things to watch out for:
Identifying:
- Plugging in the right way round.
(also a
current limiting resistor is often needed on the base pin)
Comes in many different packages but you
More Details on Wikipedia:
can read the part number off the package.
http://tinyurl.com/eazkn
(P2N2222AG in this kit and find a datasheet online)
Diode
What it Does:
No. of Leads:
The electronic equivalent of a one way
2
valve. Allowing current to flow in one
Things to watch out for:
direction but not the other.
- Will only work in one direction
(current will
flow if end with the line is connected to ground)
Identifying:
More Details on Wikipedia:
Usually a cylinder with wires extending from
http://tinyurl.com/ysz57b
either end.
(and an off center line indicating polarity)
