Electronics-Basics on AddOhms by Bald Engineer

Which way does current flow? | Ep 19

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 08:51:00 +0000

Video

Do electrons flow from positive to negative? Or do they flow from negative to positive? This AddOhms tutorial looks at the difference between Conventional Flow and Electron Flow. James also addresses whether or not his drawings are incorrect.

Current Flow Direction Show Notes

Ben Franklin by Duplessis 20 [via wikicommons]

How Switching Regulators work | #18

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:51:00 +0000

Video

Switching regulators make use of the energy storage properties of capacitors and inductors. A transistor, or switch, controls the charging and discharging. This method makes for an efficient regulator but can be difficult to design.

Show Notes

Here are links to the products mentioned in AddOhms #18:

Linear Regulator Tutorial | #17

Sun, 28 Feb 2016 03:09:01 +0000

The LM7805 is a very popular voltage regulator. Curious about how it works? In this AddOhms Tutorial, we look at what is a Linear Voltage Regulator and how to use them in your circuits.

Linear Voltage Regulators Show Notes

LM7805 [Fairchild]
NCP1117 [On Semiconductor]
PIR Sensor [Adafruit]

Interesting Links

Written Tutorial on Regulators [ Baldengineer.com]
TO-220 Information [Wikipedia]
TO-220 Heatsink [Adafruit]
Choosing the right LDO [All About Circuits]

Pull-Up Resistors and Pushbuttons | #15

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 14:13:29 +0000

There is nothing more frustrating than a push button that seems to work at random. The good news is the fix is pretty simple: a resistor.

It may not seem obvious when you first start working with electronics but a “floating pin” doesn’t have a defined “high” or “low” level. Remember from the Analog and Digital video, that Digital Electronics has defined voltage levels. Well, when you don’t connect anything to the I/O pin of your microcontroller, the voltage level is undefined!

How Voltage Dividers Work | #13

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 21:04:12 +0000

https://youtu.be/EQtwsWJuUPs

Understanding voltage dividers means understanding Ohm’s Law. A common use for a voltage divider in most projects is to monitor a battery. Say you are powering your circuit with a 9V or 12V battery. Microcontroller boards don’t do well with those voltages.

In a future video, we’ll come back and look at more circuits that can use voltage dividers.

Episode Notes

Correction: There is a mistake around 3:00. I say “91 millivolts” and I should have said “910 millivolts!”

Episode 8: LEDs and Current Limiting Resistor

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 21:00:00 +0000

https://youtu.be/81zNcctopBI

What was the first electronic component you played with? It was probably a LED. They’re fun to blink in patterns or learn to fade. Most projects (and products) use them for useful indicators.

LEDs add magic to every electronics project. Often not understand is what else you need to make that LED work correctly. Learn what current limiting resistors do for LEDs and watch what happens when you don’t use one.

Analog and Digital, what are they? | #6

Sun, 20 Oct 2013 22:52:55 +0000

https://youtu.be/WxJKXGugfh8

We live in a world of analog. Clocks are a great example of how time is continuously changing with nearly infinite precision. However, when you look at a digital clock, there are very specific “digits”. (Get it? Digital… Digits…) Using the analogy of clocks, this TutorialCast explains the basic difference between Analog and Digital Electronics. It ends with a slight twist.

Links mentioned in video:

AddOhms Episode 5: /ac-vs-dc
Adafruit ADXL377 Breakout board: http://www.adafruit.com/products/1413
Arduino (In case you need it): http://www.arduino.cc

Support AddOhms

Support AddOhms by joining the Bald Engineer’s Patreon.

What is the difference between AC and DC | #5

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 01:49:33 +0000

https://youtu.be/vN9aR2wKv0U

After learning the difference between Voltage, Current, and Power in Episode 4, now we look at a little bit closer type of voltage. The “C” in “AC” and “DC” stands for “Current.” However, people will commonly say “My home has 120 (or 240) Volts AC.” What the heck? How can AC mean Current and Voltage?

This video, we break it down the differences with some simple examples.

Voltage, Current, Power and understanding their differences | #4

Sun, 14 Jul 2013 04:01:34 +0000

https://youtu.be/lYZUXV-v71Y

Simplified explanation definitions of Voltage, Current, and Power. These basic electronic terms are all related but have different, specific meanings. This plain-language explanation will help you understand how to use them.

This early video had some issues with how I presented concepts. At some point, I’d like to come back and re-do it. (It is unlisted on YouTube.)

Electronics-Basics on AddOhms by Bald Engineer

Which way does current flow? | Ep 19

Video

Current Flow Direction Show Notes

How Switching Regulators work | #18

Video

Show Notes

Linear Regulator Tutorial | #17

Linear Voltage Regulators Show Notes

Related Datasheets

Interesting Links

Pull-Up Resistors and Pushbuttons | #15

How Voltage Dividers Work | #13

Episode Notes

Episode 8: LEDs and Current Limiting Resistor

Analog and Digital, what are they? | #6

Support AddOhms

What is the difference between AC and DC | #5

Voltage, Current, Power and understanding their differences | #4