By Jason Taylor


The first thine which you should know in building electrical circuits for an electrical device are basic theories in electronics. Know the different components used and how to connect them properly to each other. Then study how to read and make schematic diagrams which are graphical representations of an electrical circuit using symbols and images.

Doing so is essential when there is a particular device you want to make but is still confused with some parts of the process. This might be something a little advance such as voltage divider which produces an output that is a portion of its input. But learn or review first the theories in basic electronics to understand better the more advanced stuffs.

Begin with identifying the types of electricity such as AC or alternating current and DC or direct current. The direction which electrical signal flows on AC is constantly reversing or alternating with the reversal rate measured in Herts. Meanwhile the flow in DC is one direction to ground from power source and found commonly with batteries.

Circuit is closed if the path allows the electric current to pass through from a power source into the ground which usually indicates the device is turned on. An open one on the other hand breaks the path and would prevent movement such as when turning off machines. A switch is used in doing this so removing the source is not necessary when alternating between them.

Components creates resistance if current pass through from a positive voltage to a ground and a short circuit happens when these two are connected directly. Avoid this direct connections because they would result in breaking, overheating, explosion or fire. Putting only a switch between them is not enough and other parts are needed for additional resistance.

There are two ways to wire things together which are classified as parallel and series with the latter indicating all components are being wired one after the other. Meanwhile, the latter indicates the parts are being wired next with each other and that makes electricity to pass them simultaneously. Using both ways when building circuits is possible.

Adding resistance into circuits is done with resistors and they reduce current flow and are also available in a variety of values measured with ohms. They have wattage ratings also and their value is indicated by colored bands around their body. You could learn reading these bands or look up for graphs that helps in calculating their values.

Capacitors are components that stores electricity then discharges them when it drops and is measured in Farads with common ones being microfarad, nanofarad and picofarad. The commonly used types of capacitors are ceramic disc and electrolytic. The former being non polarized and the latter polarized requiring one of its leg to be properly connected with the power or ground.

Diodes are components which are polarized allowing passage for currents in one direction and will cause voltage drop. One side of it is called cathode that connects to power while the other one is anode. These are just a few samples of some basic theories you shall learn for making electrical devices.




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