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(Part designs are subject to change without notice).
The
base grid
functions like the printed circuit boards
found in most electronic products. It is a platform for
mounting parts and wire blocks (though the wires are
usually “printed” on the board).
The blue
wire blocks
are just wires used to connect
other components, they are used to transport electricity
and do not affect circuit performance. They come in
different lengths to allow orderly arrangement of
connections on the base grid.
The
spring wire (9)
is two single blocks connected by a
wire used to make unusual connections.
The
batteries (91)
produce an electrical voltage using a
chemical reaction. This “voltage” can be thought of as
electrical pressure, pushing electrical “current” through
a circuit. This voltage is much lower and much safer than
that used in your house wiring. Using more batteries
increases the “pressure” and so more electricity flows.
The
switch (62)
connects (ON) or disconnects (OFF) the
wires in a circuit.
The
press switch (61)
connects (pressed) or
disconnects (not pressed) the wires in a circuit, just like
the switch does.
A
reed switch (83)
is an electrical switch operated by
an applied magnetic field. When exposed to a magnetic
field, the switch closes (ON). When the magnetic field is
removed the switch opens (OFF).
The blue
level blocks (100 & 200)
are non-conductive
and just used as building blocks.
The
touch plate (80)
is a type of switch when both
electrodes are touched together using your finger, shorts
the two electrodes and a small amount of current flows,
activating the circuit.
The
LED (69)
is a light emitting diode inside the heart,
and may be thought of as a special one-way light bulb. In
the “forward” direction (indicated by the “arrow” in the
symbol) electricity flows if the voltage exceeds a turn-on
threshold (about 1.5V); brightness then increases. LEDs
block electricity in the “reverse” direction.
The
4.5V lamp (76)
contains a special wire (filament)
that glows bright when a large electric current passes
through it. Voltages above the bulb’s rating can burn out
the wire.
The
speaker (93)
converts electricity into sound. It does
this by using the energy of a changing electrical signal to
create mechanical vibrations (using a coil and magnet
similar to that in the motor). These vibrations create
variations in air pressure which travel across the room.
You “hear” sound when your ears feel these air pressure
variations.
The
motor (95)
converts electricity into mechanical
motion. Electricity is closely related to magnetism, and
an electric current flowing in a wire has a magnetic field
similar to that of a very, very tiny magnet. Inside the
About Your E-Blox
®
Circuit Builder
TM
Parts
E-BLOX_2X_Model_115_042517 5/17/2017 10:58 AM Page 12
