An introduction to electronic work for beginners. 12 Basics You Should Know
So we've put together some basic electronics skills as a prerequisite to ensure a beginner's success. Plus, you can use them for simple device repairs or for tackling your dream project. Fundamentally, dealing with electronics for practical purposes can be a real challenge if you don't know how to handle the components involved.
So let's take a look at 10 basic electronics techniques for beginners.
1. Knowledge of basic parts
A circuit has many components that are classified as active and passive. The former supply and control current, while the latter respond to voltage flow, dissipating or storing energy. Mainly, electronic circuits have the following parts:
2. Breadboard
As mentioned above, a breadboard is the most basic component of a circuit and is used for solderless prototyping, which is especially useful for beginners. Prototyping is the creation of a preliminary model that will later be used for testing, followed by the development of the final model. Breadboards can easily accommodate a wide variety of circuits, from simple to complex.
Therefore, when you start a project, you should first learn how to arrange the parts on the breadboard and how to wire them together.
3. How to draw a circuit diagram
Schematics serve as universal pictograms for understanding and building electronics. Each of the parts described above (and others) has its own unique symbol. These symbols are combined using various programs. Schematics are important for designing circuits and there are many online circuit design tools available to users. These apps and software give you a virtual view of your breadboard so you can learn to put all the components of your circuit together.
4. Soldering
Whether you're trying your hand at a solderless breadboard, knowing soldering techniques opens up a lot of possibilities for your electronic projects. Plus, it's easy to learn and helps you explore a wide range of projects, from simple to complex. A soldering iron is used to solder components to the circuit, and this soldering iron contains the following components:
5. Desoldering tool
Note: Soldering and desoldering are covered in detail in this article.
Once you have mastered soldering skills, you must also master the know-how for desoldering. This is important when changes need to be made to the circuit, such as troubleshooting, repair or replacement. There are various tools for this, but usually a soldering iron with a desoldering stick or a vacuum pump is used.
In this process, a soldering iron heats the area of the board to be desoldered, and then a device is installed to suck out or remove the unwanted components. As a precaution, use a soldering iron of 15W to 30W. Higher wattage can cause damage to the board as well as the components due to the extra heat.
6. Using a multimeter
For continuity testing with a multimeter, see this tutorial.
A multimeter is an important tool for measuring voltage, current, resistance and continuity in circuits. It is also used to test batteries and troubleshoot problems found in electrical equipment. There are basically three parts to a multimeter, including a display screen (if it's a digital type), a selection knob, and a couple of ports.
There are also various types of probes such as alligator clips, IC hooks, test probes, and tweezers. These devices range from low-cost ones with basic functions to expensive ones with advanced features such as auto-off and auto-ranging functions.
7. Hot glue gun
A hot glue gun is a very useful item for gluing together electronic components. The gun is made of plastic and acts as an insulator, making short circuits less likely. It's affordable and easy to use.
The kit provides a gun and glue stick to be inserted into the gun. Then pull the trigger and hot glue drips from the nozzle. However, since hot glue is used, excessive heat can damage the board and components, so be careful. Another important thing is to keep the nozzle clean by removing glue residue with the help of aluminum foil.
8. Liquid electrical tape
A rubber-like liquid compound that is primarily used when insulation breaks in wires. It can prevent moisture from entering and is very easy to apply. Prior to use, it should be ensured that the area is completely dry and free of cracks and loose parts.
To use this tape, simply stir the liquid and use a brush to spread it over the desired area. Note that 30% of the compound is volatile, so keep away from open flames. A great alternative to electrical or heat shrink tape in tight enclosures.
9. Testing
Apart from measuring voltage, current, and resistance, you have to perform tests at various stages to make sure everything is going right for your project. First, do a continuity test in the off position to make sure one point on the board is connected to the other. This also helps detect short circuit conditions.
Then use a multimeter to measure the voltage and current at the points of interest on the board. After this, turn on the power and test the code for errors by determining the readings in the form of 0's and 1's. Overall, there are different phases depending on the complexity of the project that must be tested until everything starts working as planned.
10. Work with wires
Some electronics projects require cutting and stripping wires. For this reason, various tools are available on the market, but it is important to select the appropriate tool so as not to damage the components or circuits. Below is a list of wire strippers you can choose from.
11. Power required for the project
12. Ensuring safety
Ensuring safety is always important, regardless of the type of project or the level of user expertise. However, newbies have less experience in handling situations, so special attention should be paid to them. To do so, be sure to check the following tips.
- Wear safety goggles and gloves as appropriate.
- Make sure the power is off before working on the circuit.
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