Electronics

Learn the Basics of Electronics

Understand how electricity can be used to power all sorts of devices:

• low voltage lights and battery powered machines
• computers
• sound and video systems
• household and workshop tools
• cars and other large machinery

Understanding the fundamentals of electricity and how it is applied at work and home; is the starting point for learning to safely use electrical devices, to properly maintain electronics and to develop appropriate applications for the use of electricity

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Nature and Scope of Electronics
   • Linear and Non Linear Electronics
   • AC DC Current
   • Electrostatics
   • Conductors and Insulators
   • Making an Electroscope
   • Coulomb's Law
   • The Electric Field
   • Current
   • Safety Warning
   • Using an Electrician
2. Measuring Electricity
   • Measuring Flow
   • Voltage
   • Resistance
   • Ohm's Law
   • Relationship between Electricity and Power
   • Generating and Storing Electricity
   • Turbines and Generators
   • Fusion Power
   • Solar Cells
   • Batteries
3. Passive Components
   • Resistors
   • Capacitors
   • Inductors
   • Magnets
   • Magnetic Forces
   • Ferromagnetism
   • Creating Magnets
   • Curie Temperature
   • Earths Magnetic Field
   • Geomagnetic Reversal
   • Electromagnetism
   • Electromagnetism and Solenoids
   • Electric Motors
   • Magnetic Force
   • Right Hand Rule
   • Induction
   • Lenz's Law
4. Circuits
   • Conductors
   • Insulators and Non Conductors
   • Fuses
   • Circuit Breakers
   • Relays
   • Circuits
   • Series
   • Parallel Circuit
   • Reading Schematic Diagrams
5. Other Components
   • Printed Circuit Boards
   • Bread Board
   • Switches
   • Input/output Types -SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT
   • Integrated Circuits (IC, Chip, Microchip)
   • Relays
   • Normal Open and Normal Closed
   • Diodes
   • Transformers
6. Input and Output devices
   • Input Devices
   • Output Devices
   • Interactions with Input and Output Devices
   • Sensors
   • How some I/O Devices Work
   • Signals Processing
7. Digital Electronics
   • Digital versus Analog Electronics
   • Binary
   • Mechanical Analog Computers and Noise
   • Digital Analog Audio
   • Digital Analog Images
   • Analog Radio/TV and Digital Transmission of Signals
   • Boolean Algebra
   • Logic
   • Synchronous and Asynchronous Systems
   • Algorithms
8. Applications - Working with Electronics
   • Soldering
   • Wire Stripping/Crimping Tools
   • Anti Static Straps
   • Terminals
   • Multimeters
   • How to Use a Multimeter
   • Forming Connections in a Series or Parallel
   • Measuring Voltage
   • Measuring Current
   • Measuring Resistance
   • Electrical Tape, Punch Down Tool, Cable Ties
   • Printed Circuit Boards and Etching
9. Project (Problem Based Learning) involving researching appliance circuit diagrams and use a bread board to model a key component.

Aims

• Explain the nature and scope of electricity, electric currents and applications for electric power.
• Explain how electricity is measured
• Identify and explain the function of important electrical components including resistors, capacitors and inductors.
• Interpret circuit diagrams
• Identify and explain the function of other components commonly found in electronic devices, including switches, diodes, semi conductors, integrated circuits and semi conductors.
• Explain how electric devices engage with a user, both through input and output components
• Explain digital electronics and how it differs to analogue electronics
• Explain the operation, maintenance and repair of a range of electronic devices
• Analyse the electronic components of a chosen device, determine how it’s electronic circuits function, then suggest any maintenance, repairs or other work that may be carried out with that device to sustain or improve it’s use

LEARN BY DOING - BUT DO EVERYTHING SAFELY

Working with electricity can be dangerous.

Mains power electricity is particularly dangerous. It is not necessary to deal with mains power in order to study electronics and get a solid understanding of the subject matter in this course. 

Many people start out learning about electonics, only dealing with low voltage power such as supplied by a battery (perhaps 9 volts).  
Once you understand the nature of electricity, safety is largely a matter of using common sense, always ensuring equipment is connected properly, and used correctly.

• Do not touch any electrical equipment or power points if your hands are wet, or if the equipment itself is wet.
• If any electrical equipment catches fire, ensure it is unplugged as soon as possible, and never use water to put out the flames.
• Do not pull out the plug of any electrical equipment before turning it off. 
• When you disconnect electrical equipment, do not hold the cord. Instead, you should only hold the plug
• Do not work with electrical equipment unless you know what you are doing and are sure of the consequences.
• Remove all jewelry while working on electrical equipment.
• Beware of building up static electricity or electro-magnetic energy – insulate, be cautious etc.
• Use extreme care when applying any of the above tools. In general most adjustments will not have to be forced. 
• Use the right tool for the right job – don't bend or damage parts
• Use chip extraction or insertion tools to handle chips and be cautious not to bend any pins on a chip.
• Always replace blown fuses with one of the correct rating and always check that the existing fuse was rated correctly.
• Never work alone – there should be always someone nearby to assist in an emergency.
  
  

Use an Electrician when Necessary
It may be illegal to tamper with the electrical system of a building. It may however be that problems in the electrical system are the source of problems in a computer.
Be aware of how far you can go....legally!

WHY DO THIS COURSE?

This may be a "taster" course for someone thinking about becoming an electrician or electrical engineer.  Electronics is however relevant to a much wider range of situations than just that though.

As a foundation for understanding and working with, or using electricity in any capacity; this is a course that can underpin further learning or working with electricity in any capacity; amateur or professional.  It may be relevant to any of the following, and more:

• sales, installation or repair of electrical goods; from sound systems to computers or household goods
• motor vehicles or other machinery (most machines have electrical components)
• robotics, drones
• lighting systems
• alternative energy -wind, solar, etc