Task 1 (P1)
Describe the potential hazards related to constructing electronic Circuits (P1)
There are always many potential hazards when dealing with electronics, epically with circuits:
1. Soldering.
When soldering you are dealing with temperatures up to 400 degrees C, if contacted with skin this could lead to major burns and sores. You can prevent this by being given correct equipment.[EB1]
2. Fumes.
If you are soldering, you are likely to be inhaling fumes. Minor intakes are nothing to worry about although if constant inhaling occurs, this could lead to lung problems and can increase your chances of lung cancer. This can be avoided by using a fume fan which sucks in the harmful fumes.[EB2]
3. Live electronics.
Always be careful when dealing with live electronics as it is a huge hazard when short circuited of contacted with water. To prevent this, try not to have and open water near the workbench and always double check the circuit just in case you have placed a circuit piece in the wrong part of the bread board.
4. Solvents and etching fluids.
Some Solvents and etching fluids can be an irritant to the skin. To prevent this make sure you have received the right training and wear the correct PPE.
5.Sharp edged hand tools.
There are many sharp edged?? when using electronics and build circuit boards such as, link breakers, wire cutters, soldering tips and pliers. To prevent cuts and scrapes, make sure you are cautious and safe when using.
Printed circuit board
Sometimes abbreviated PCB, a thin plate on which chips and other electronic components are placed.The boards are made from glass reinforced plastic with copper tracks in the place of wires. Components are fixed in position by drilling holes through the board, locating the components and then soldering them in place. There are many hazards in a PCB, you would need to solder (above) the components onto the board which would risk being burned, cut the acetate sheets using a guillotine and be able to use solvents and etching fluids.[EB3]
Task 3 (P3)
Describe the purpose of six different types of electronic component (P3)
- Resistor.
A resistor limits the amount of electrical current that passes through the circuit.Essentially, their role is to control current and voltage and "convert" one to another. Remember that applying a voltage across a resistor causes current to flow, while pushing current through a resistor necessarily causes a voltage drop across the resistor.[EB4]
- Capacitor.
Capacitors are components that are used to store an electrical charge and are used in timer circuits. A capacitor may be used with a resistor to produce a timer. Sometimes capacitors are used to smooth a current in a circuit as they can prevent false triggering of other components such as relays.
When power is supplied to a circuit that includes a capacitor - the capacitor charges up. When power is turned off the capacitor discharges its electrical charge slowly.[EB5]
- Diode.
A diode allows electricity to flow in one direction only and blocks the flow in the opposite direction. They may be regarded as one-way valves and they are used in various circuits, usually as a form of protection.[EB6]
4. Inductors.
In inductors role in a circuit is to resist changes in electrical currents passing through it. Most inductors consist of a conductor such as wire and are usually wound in a coil. When currents flow through them, the energy is temporarily stored in a magnetic field in the coil.[EB7]
5. Transistor.
A transistor is a device used to amplify and switch electronic signals.
‘The transistor is the fundamental building block of modern electronic devices’[EB8]
6. The transformer
A transformer is a device for changing the voltage of electricity. There are four common uses for transformers. Two are to step up voltage for high voltage power transmission, and then step it down for distribution and consumption.
[EB9]
Resources:
Google images for pictures.
= Resistors =Switch =Wire=Potentiometer
=Capacitor=Wires joined=Power supply
=Ground (Earth)=Diode=Amplifier
-Breadboard Construction.
A breadboard is a thin rectangular piece of plastic with many small holes in which the components and parts to build the circuit are placed.
Underneath each column of holes are thin strips of copper used to connect the circuit together, the copper strips never touching each other as this would result in a short circuit. These types of circuit boards are easy to use and require no soldering.
-Strip board Construction
Strip Boards are very similar to breadboards; Strip Boards do not have a plastic cover where the components and parts are usually placed, they only have a thin plastic sheet to hold the pieces. Strip Boards also require soldering for the parts because unlike the breadboards, they have no cover to keep them in place. Therefore these circuit boards are a little harder to use and require more skill.
[EB10]
[EB11]
-The Resistor.
The resistors role in any circuit is to limit the amount of electrical current passing through. In this specific circuit, if a resistor is forgotten or unused then the circuit will not work as there it far too much electrical current passing through the circuit. For example, one of the resistors are between the diode and the capacitor, this is to prevent too much power in the capacitor as this can cause it to explode.
-Audio Jack.
An audio jack is one of the main components needed to create an active circuit. This is the component that allows you to connect your device to the amplifier. This is connected to the diode as it provides a connection to all of the other components.
-The Diode.
A diode is a component that allows electricity to flow in one direction but blocks the flow in the other direction. This is very useful in this circuit as there are many components that need to be connected without connecting to each other. Nearly every component in the circuit is connected to one diode in the middle of the circuit board and is one of the most useful pieces in the whole circuit.
-Switch.
In any type of circuit, (including this one), a switch is used to turn on and off a power supply, it is very important because if not included, the amplifier will always be on as long as it is provided with a power supply. Like many of the other components, the switch is connected
To the diode.
[EB12]
Printed circuit board (PCB).
The advantages of using a PCB board:
-They have color codes for different connections.
-Easy to install.
-Maintenance is easy.
-Neater.
-Gives a better reliability for a long life cycle.
-You don’t need open wires when used.
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[EB1]You should mention using the correct equipment and what type of equipment would be necessary!!
[EB2]How about taking regular breaks as well as working in a well ventilated room?
[EB3]So what type of safety precautions would be appropriate?
[EB4]What do we measure resistance in? Can you give an example of how to read the value of a resistor? What is tolerance with respect to resistors?
[EB5]What is capacitance measured in? How do we read the value of a capacitor? Are there any special precautions we need to take when using capacitors? Can you give examples of different types of capacitor? Where did you use capacitors in the circuits we made in the laboratory
[EB6]How do we get a diode to conduct current? Where are diodes often used in electronic circuits? Did you use a diode in your circuits? What was its function?
[EB7]Circuit symbol for an inductor? What is inductance measured in? Where would we often encounter an inductor in electrical/electronic circuits. Are there any precautions we should take when using inductors in circuits?
[EB8]Can you say any more about the names of each terminal on the transistor? How do we switch on a transistor in a circuit? Did you use a transistor in your circuit and what was its function?
[EB9]Where do we encounter transformers in industry. Why are they needed in electrical and electronic circuits? What is the circuit symbol for a transformer? How are they constructed? Are there any special precautions we need to take when using or taking measurements from them?
[EB10]You have not completed your description of PCB. At this point I would also like you to mention wire wrapping and the use of heat sinks to control the temperature of components in electrical and electronic circuits. Use photographs and diagrams as need to complete this section
[EB11]P6 You need fully labelled diagrams of the circuits you have made to complete this outcome as well as the practical evidence. We will supply a witness statement to back up the evidence supplied by you.
[EB12]For all of this I actually need some context. That context would be sections of the circuit diagram in which the components you are describing actually function. From there you can label the component you are describing and use the diagram as an aide to your description