Electronic Component Testing

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There are obviously numerous components used in the various projects, each of which requires some knowledge to utilise appropriately. As pointed-out on many a web site/discussion forum, in the first instance ALWAYS READ THE DATASHEET to familiarise yourself with the component. The following tables provide lists of the various components I have used and corresponding links to background information, problems and solutions I have found, including the relevant datasheets.

The numerous components that can be used in the construction of an electronic circuit appear daunting when first starting out. I found the following classification scheme to be of benefit in organising and approaching the learning process. There doesn't appear to be a "definitive" electronic component classification scheme, but it is generally accepted that components may be classified broadly as either passive or active (1). I also think it is useful at this "first level" to make the further distinction of having a "electro-mechanical" category (2).

Passive components are those which have electrical characteristics generally independent (obviously within "limits") of the applied voltage. This category is therefore mainly the ubiquitous resistors, capacitors and inductors comprising the majority of circuit components. Associated "variable" components derived from these include potentiometers, variable capacitors, inductors (chokes or coils) and transformers.

Active components can be defined as those "which can produce power gain, that is, the output signal has higher power than the input signal", or "rely on a source of energy (usually from the DC circuit) and usually can inject power into a circuit". Transistors and integrated circuits of every type meet this loose definition, and diodes use the same basic semiconductor technology as transistors so they are usually considered as being active devices.

Finally, electromechanical components can carry out electrical operations by using moving parts or by using electrical connections. This category includes switches, relays, piezoelectric devices, crystals, fuses, fans, etc etc. Each of these three "top" level categories is sub-divided further generally by either technology and/or materials used in the construction of the component.

This then leads to the following approximate classifications:

• Active Components
• Transistors (BJT, FET, MOSFET, Thyristors [SCR, TRIAC])
• Diodes (PN Junction, Zener, Schottky, DIAC)
• Integrated Circuits
• Opto-Electronics (Opto-Coupler, LED's, Opto-Interruptor)
• Visual Display (LCD, LED 7 Segment)
• Passive Components
• Resistors (Potentiometer, Thermistor)
• Capacitor
• Inductors/Chokes/Coils
• Transformers
• Electro-Mechanical Components
• Switches (Rotary, Reed, Limit, Thermostat, Matrix Keypad)
• Relays
• Circuit Protection Devices (Metal Oxide Varistor, Poly-Switch, TVS)
• Transducers/Sensors (Piezoelectric, Ultrasonic, Peltier)
• Solenoids
• Motors/Generators

 

The following table provide a list of the various components I have physically used and corresponding links to background information, problems and solutions I have found, including the relevant datasheets. Click on the title of a listed component which will display the appropriate page giving component usage details such as schematic diagrams, example circuits, breadboard/PCB layouts, programming code etc as appropriate.

Tested/Used Components

Click column title to change sort order

Category	Component	Description	Data Sheet
Sensors	DHT-11	Temperature and humidity composite sensor that outputs a calibrated digital signal of the temperature and humidity.	DHT11
Sensors	DS18S20	Temperature and humidity composite sensor that outputs a calibrated digital signal of the temperature and humidity.	DS18S20
Sensors	HX711 ACD Weigh Scale	Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for weigh scale, connected to load cell, interfaced to PIC microcontroller.	HX711
Output Device	Nokia 5110 LCD	84x48 LCD module, Nokia 5110 using PCD8544 display chip	Nokia5110
I/O Device	MAX7221 LED Driver	Serial I/O common cathode LED display driver	MAX7221
I/O Device	SN74HC595 Shift Register	8-bit serial in, parallel out shift register	SN74HC595N
I/O Device	nRF24L01+ Radio Transciever	nRF2401 single-chip radio transceiver for the world wide 2.4 - 2.5 GHz ISM band	NRF24L01+
I/O Device	ESP8266 Wi-Fi Module	Wi-Fi Module with 802.11 b/g/n/e/i TCP/IP stack	ESP8266
Sensors	LM35	Precision Temperature Sensor - linear output 10mV/degree Celsius	LM35
Sensors	TCS3471	Color Light to Digital Converter	TCS3471
Output Device	WS2812 RGB LED	Integrated RGB LED with control circuit ("pixel" full colour chip)	WS2812
IC - Voltage Regulator	LM317T	3-terminal positive voltage regulator (variable 1.2-37V)	LM317T
IC - H-Bridge Driver	SN754410	Quadruple Half-H Driver for inductive loads (relays, solenoids, dc and stepper motors	SN754410
IC - H-Bridge Driver	A4988	A4988 microstepping motor driver interfaced to PIC microcontroller and bipolar stepper motor	A4988
Output Device	HC-SR04	HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Ranging Module interfaced to PIC microcontroller, with RS232 communication to PC	HC-SR04
Peripheral	DS1307 RTC	DS1307 Real Time Clock interfaced to PIC microcontroller, with RS232 communication to PC	DS1307
I/O Device	HC-05 Bluetooth Module	HC-05 and Android Smart Phone App used for bluetooth communications and control of PIC microcontroller circuit (LM35 temp sensor, PWM fan motor and LED controls)	HC-05
IC - Voltage Regulator	LM2596 Buck SMPS (3A 1.23-37V)	DC-DC step-down SMPS voltage regulator (variable 3A 1.23-37V)	LM2596
Sensors	ACS-712	Bidirectional Current Sensor	ACS712
Sensors	MAX-471	Bidirectional Current Sensor	MAX471
I/O Device	MCP-4921 DAC	12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (DAC)	MCP4921
Peripheral	SG90 Servo Motor	SG90 Servo Motoro	SG90
Peripheral	MAX31855 Thermocouple Driver	MAX31855 Thermocouple Driver	MAX31855

References

• http://www.ami.ac.uk/courses/topics/0133_itc/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_component