DO-IT-YOURSELF
Here's the fun and easy way to start building circuits for your projects
Have you ever wanted to build your own electronic device? Put together a thermostat or an in-line fuse, or repair a microphone cable? This is the book for you Inside you'll find the tools and techniques you need to build circuits, with illustrated, step-by-step directions to help accomplish tasks and complete projects.
As you accomplish the tasks throughout the book, you'll construct many projects while learning the key circuitbuilding principles and techniques. Find out about measuring and testing, maintenance and troubleshooting, cables, connectors, how to test your stuff, and more.
Stuff You Need to Know
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The tools you need and how to use them
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How to make sense of schematics and printed circuit boards
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Basic techniques for creating any circuit
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How to make and repair cables and connectors
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Testing and maintenance procedures
Author(s): H. Ward Silver
Publisher: For Dummies
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 390
Do-It-Yourself Circuitbuilding For Dummies
About the Author
Dedication
Author’s Acknowledgments
Introduction
What You’re Not to Read
Assumptions About You
How This Book Is Organized
Conventions and Icons
Where to Go from Here
Part I: Working Basics for Electronic-ers
Chapter 1: The Toolbox
Basic Tools for Building Circuits
The Solderless Breadboard
Your Notebook
Software Tools
Chapter 2: Basic Techniques
Basic Metalworking
The Joy of Soldering
Making Sense of Schematic Diagrams
Part II: Building Circuits
Chapter 3: Using a Solderless Breadboard
Breadboarding an Audio Amplifier
Breadboarding a Digital Timer
Constructing the Audio Amplifier
Testing the Audio Amplifier Circuit
Constructing the Digital Timer
Chapter 4: Building a Printed Circuit Board
Getting Your Workspace Ready
Putting a Through-Hole PC Board Together
Building a Surface-Mount PC Board
Constructing the Through-Hole Board
Constructing the Surface-Mount Board
Chapter 5: Building a Prototype
Building an Audio Level Controller
Building a 12V-to-5V Regulator
Building an Audible Alarm
Constructing the Level Controller
Constructing the Regulator
Constructing the Alarm
Chapter 6: Building from a Published Schematic
Preparing to Build
Building a Circuit Dead-Bug Style
Building Circuits Manhattan-Style
Building Circuits Using Twist ‘n’ Twirl Wire-Wrap
Constructing the Timer Circuit
Constructing the Shortwave Buffer Circuit
Constructing the DC-to-DC Converter Circuit
Part III: Cables and Connectors
Chapter 7: Terminals and Connectors
Crimp Terminals and Tools
Making RS-232 Connectors
Installing a Crimp Terminal
Adding a DC Power Fuse
Installing a Telephone Plug
Replacing a Telephone Jack
Making a Computer Network Cable
Making an RS-232 Data Cable
Chapter 8: Wiring for Wireless Radio
The Case for Coaxial Cable
Using a Coaxial Connector Crimping Tool
Coax Connectors — All in the Family
Installing a TV-Style Connector
Installing a CB-Style Connector
Installing a Scanner-Style Connector
Weatherproofing an Exterior Connection
Chapter 9: Mastering Power
Adding an AC In-Line Switch
Wiring an AC Fuseholder
Installing an AC Plug
Splicing a Power Cord
Chapter 10: Audio and Sensitive Connections
The XLR: A Real Pro Connector
Plugging In to Phono Plugs
Taking a Temperature Electronically
Installing a Microphone Connector
Installing a Phono Plug
Creating a Stereo Patch Cable
Constructing a Temperature Sensor
Part IV: Measuring and Testing
Chapter 11: Meet the Test Equipment
What to Measure
Your Basic Test Equipment
Advanced Testing Equipment
The Oscilloscope
Chapter 12: Measurements That Test Your Circuits and Projects
Making Measurements Safely
Using Ohm’s Law to Measure Resistance
Testing a Transistor
Measuring in Decibels
Measuring Voltage
Measuring Current
Measuring Resistance with Ohm’s Law
Checking a Transistor
Measuring Period and Frequency
Making Measurements in Decibels
Measuring Frequency Response
Part V: Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Chapter 13: Who Let the Smoke Out?
Troubleshooting and Debugging Basics
Pondering Power Problems
Diagnosing Audio Problems
Analyzing Analog Circuits
Diagnosing Digital Circuits
Chapter 14: Maintaining Your Cool (Stuff)
Taking Care of Tools and Test Instruments
Maintaining a Winning Workspace
Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Keeping on Schedule
Chapter 15: Getting a Charge Out of Batteries
A Bunch of Battery Basics
Ah . . . Introducing Amp-hours and Characteristic Voltage
Disposable Batteries versus Rechargeable Batteries
Exploring the World of Battery Packs
Following Basic Battery Tips
Adhering to the Rules of Battery Safety
Chapter 16: Electronics in Motion
Learning About Mobile Installation
Chapter 17: Getting Rid of Interference and Noise
Dealing with Interference
Installing a High-Pass Filter
Installing a Split-Core Ferrite Choke
Part VI: The Part of Tens
Chapter 18: Ten Circuitbuilding Secrets
Be Patient and Alert
Spring for Quality Tools and Toolbox
Use Plenty of Light
Get Good References
Hold On to Your Junk
Buddy Up
Test in Steps
Keep a Notebook
Pass It On
Take Pride in Your Craft
Chapter 19: Ten Circuit First-Aid Techniques and Supplies
Common Replacement Transistors and ICs
Clip Leads
Electrical Tape
Wire Nuts and Crimp Splices
Molded Connectors
12V Soldering Iron
Clothespin and Rubberband Vises
Loose Connectors
Broken Antennas
Dead Rechargeable Batteries
Glossary
Appendix A: Circuitbuilding Resources
Parts and Pieces: Electronic Components
Go Nuts: Mechanical Hardware
References
Index
Bonus Chapter 1: Resistor Types
Meet the Resistors
Power Dissipation and Voltage Ratings
Choosing Resistors
Further Reading
Bonus Chapter 2: Capacitor Types
Meet the Capacitors
Capacitor Construction
The Capacitor Menu
