AMMETER

An ammeter measures the electric current in a circuit. The name is derived from the name for
the SI unit for electric current, amperes (A).

In order for an ammeter to measure a device’s current; it must be connected in series to that
device. This is necessary because objects in series experience the same current. They must not
be connected to a voltage source — ammeters are designed to work under a minimal burden,
(which refers to the voltage drop across the ammeter, typically a small fraction of a volt).

Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-physics/chapter/voltmeters-and-ammeters/
 BATTERY

A battery is a device that converts chemical energy directly to electrical energy. It consists of a
number of voltaic cells connected in series by a conductive electrolyte containing anions and
cations. One half-cell includes electrolyte and the anode, or negative electrode; the other half-
cell includes electrolyte and the cathode, or positive electrode. In the redox (reduction-
oxidation) reaction that powers the battery, cations are reduced (electrons are added) at the
cathode, while anions are oxidized (electrons are removed) at the anode. The electrodes do not
touch each other but are electrically connected by the electrolyte. Some cells use two half-cells
with different electrolytes. A separator between half-cells allows ions to flow, but prevents
mixing of the electrolytes.

A battery stores electrical potential from the chemical reaction. When it is connected to a circuit,
that electric potential is converted to kinetic energy as the electrons travel through the circuit.
Electric potential is defined as the potential energy per unit charge (q). The voltage, or potential
difference, between two points is defined to be the change in potential energy of a
charge q moved from point 1 to point 2, divided by the charge. Rearranged, this mathematical
relationship can be described as:

ΔPE=qΔV

-Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-physics/chapter/electric-current/
 BULB

A light bulb is a simple apparatus that converts electric energy into light energy. The law of
conservation of energy says that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it simply changes
form. A light bulb is able to take the electricity supplied to it and change its form into something
that can be used for illumination.

A bulb is made up of a positive and negative terminals embedded inside glass, with a tungsten
filament that joins the two. When electricity is supplied to the terminals, the flow of electrons
heats up the thin filament in between. The electrons continue to bang against the filament until
it heats up to the point that it begins to glow. This process happens extremely quickly.
The filament is encased inside transparent glass to let the light shine through and also to protect
it from overheating. The air inside the glass is actually a small amount of inert gas that helps
prevent the filament from becoming too hot and breaking. When the light bulb has fused it
means that the thin coil inside has snapped and therefore electricity cannot flow completely
through the circuit.

-Source: http://mocomi.com/how-does-a-light-bulb-work/
 CAPACITOR

A capacitor is characterised by its capacitance (C) typically given in units Farad. It is the ratio of
the charge (Q) to the potential difference (V), where C = Q/V

The larger the capacitance, the more charge a capacitor can hold. Using the setup shown, we can
measure the voltage as the capacitor is charging across a resistor as a function of time (t).

-Source:https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/preparing-for-university/stem/Physics/stem-legacy-capacitors.aspx
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-physics/chapter/capacitors-and-dielectrics/
 ALLIGATOR CLIP

The primary use of alligator clips is in establishing electrical connections. They are used to clip
onto terminals and components, creating an electrical connection between the two. Alligator
clips are highly useful in creating electrical connections because, once clipped, they can be left
clipped, which frees up the user’s hands for other tasks.

-Source: https://www.ehow.com/info_8613464_alligator-clips-used.html
 DC MOTOR (DIRECT CURRENT MOTOR)

The DC motor is a machine that transforms electric energy into mechanical energy in form of
rotation. Its movement is produced by the physical behavior of electromagnetism. DC motors
have inductors inside, which produce the magnetic field used to generate movement.

An electromagnet, which is a piece of iron wrapped with a wire coil that has voltage applied in
its terminals. If two fixed magnets are added in both sides of this electromagnet, the repulsive
and attractive forces will produce a torque.

-Source: https://community.nxp.com/docs/DOC-1067
 DIODE

Diode is a two-terminal device that acts as a one way conductor that is it permits current flow
in only one direction. The most basic type of diode is the p-n junction diode.

Important rules about diodes:

1. If the voltage on the anode is positive with respect to the voltage on the cathode, we
say that the diode is forward biased. At forward biased condition the diode permits
current flow.
2. If the voltage on the anode is negative with respect to the voltage on the cathode, we
say that the diode is Reverse biased. At reverse biased condition the diode inhibits
current flow.

-Source: https://physics.tutorvista.com/electricity-and-magnetism/diode.html
 DPDT (DOUBLE-POLE, DOUBLE THROW)

A Double Pole Double Throw toggle switch acts exactly like two separate SPDT switches
connected to the same switch bat. It has two separate common terminals and each of those is
connected to one or the other of the other two terminals on the same side of the switch. The
dotted line in the picture is to illustrate that the switch is actually two SPDT switches in one
package with one switch bat.

A DPDT switch works just like two separate SPDT switches attached to the same switch bat.

-Source: http://musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/ELECTRONICS/pdf/switches_demystified_assembly.pdf
 DPST (DOUBL-POLE, SINGLE-THROW)

A Double Pole Single Throw (DPST) switch is a switch that has 2 inputs and 2 outputs; each
input has 1 corresponding output.

Each of the terminals of a double pole single switch can either be in the on position (closed) or
in the off position (open).

A Double Pole Single Switch has a lot of versatility being that it accepts 2 inputs, which makes it
then be able to drive 2 different outputs in a circuit. What it drives depends on the circuit design
and what the circuit is intended to do. But DPST have enormous applications in circuits.

-Source: http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/What-is-a-double-pole-single-throw-switch-DPST
 FUSE

A fuse is nothing more than a short length of wire designed to melt and separate in the event
of excessive current. Fuses are always connected in series with the component(s) to be
protected from overcurrent, so that when the fuse blows (opens) it will open the entire circuit
and stop current through the component(s). A fuse connected in one branch of a parallel
circuit, of course, would not affect current through any of the other branches.
Normally, the thin piece of fuse wire is contained within a safety sheath to minimize hazards
of arc blast if the wire burns open with violent force, as can happen in the case of severe
overcurrent’s. In the case of small automotive fuses, the sheath is transparent so that the
fusible element can be visually inspected. Residential wiring used to commonly employ
screw-in fuses with glass bodies and a thin, narrow metal foil strip in the middle.

-Source: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-12/fuses/
 GALVANOMETER

Galvanometer, instrument for measuring a small electrical current or a function of the current
by deflection of a moving coil. The deflection is a mechanical rotation derived from forces
resulting from the current.

The most common type is the D’Arsonval galvanometer, in which the indicating system consists
of a light coil of wire suspended from a metallic ribbon between the poles of a permanent
magnet. The magnetic field produced by a current passing through the coil reacts with the
magnetic field of the permanent magnet, producing a torque, or twisting force. The coil, to which
an indicating needle or mirror is attached, rotates under the action of the torque; the angle
through which it rotates to balance the torsion of the suspension provides a measure of the
current flowing in the coil. The angle is measured by the movement of the needle or by the
deflection of a beam of light reflected from the mirror.

The ballistic galvanometer is designed to deflect its indicating needle (or mirror) in a way that is
proportional to the total charge passing through its moving coil or to a voltage pulse of short
duration. Any conventional galvanometer may also be employed as a ballistic type, but the latter
has smaller torque and higher inertia in the coil.

-Source: https://www.britannica.com/technology/galvanometer
 INDUCTOR

An Inductor is a passive electrical component consisting of a coil of wire which is designed to

take advantage of the relationship between magnetism and electricity as a result of an electric
current passing through the coil.

In its most basic form, an inductor is nothing more than a coil of wire wound around a central
core. For most coils the current, (i) flowing through the coil produces a magnetic flux, (NΦ)
around it that is proportional to this flow of electrical current.
The inductor, also called a choke, is another passive type electrical component which is just a
coil of wire that is designed to take advantage of this relationship by inducing a magnetic field in
itself or in the core as a result of the current passing through the coil. This results in a much
stronger magnetic field than one that would be produced by a simple coil of wire.
Inductors are formed with wire tightly wrapped around a solid central core which can be either
a straight cylindrical rod or a continuous loop or ring to concentrate their magnetic flux.

-Source: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/inductor/inductor.html
 MULTI-TESTER

A multimeter or a multitester, also known as a VOM (Volt-Ohm meter), is an electronic

measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit. A typical
multimeter may include features such as the ability to measure voltage, current and resistance.
Multimeters may use analog or digital circuits—analog multimeters (AMM) and digital
multimeters (DMM). Analog instruments are usually based on a microammeter whose pointer
moves over a scale calibrated for all the different measurements that can be made; digital
instruments usually display digits, but may display a bar of a length proportional to the quantity
being measured.

-Source: https://romelblog.wordpress.com/tutorial/what-is-multitester/
 PRINTED WIRING BOARD

Printed wiring board is a substrate on which various electronic devices are mounted, also
providing passage for electrons to flow on its surface and interiors (Substrate itself is an
insulator not capable of flowing electrons).

If wirings are crossed on the same plane, they will be shorted. When the devices mounted on the
board are complex and downsized, wiring must be three dimensionally routed to avoid short,
thus necessitating multi-layering.

-Source: http://www.ibiden.com/company/division/pickup/fvss.html
 POWER SUPPLY

A power supply is a component that supplies power to at least one electric load. Typically, it
converts one type of electrical power to another, but it may also convert a different form of
energy – such as solar, mechanical, or chemical - into electrical energy.
A power supply is also known as a power supply unit, power brick or power adapter.

-Source: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/1756/power-supply
 RESISTOR

The resistor is a passive electrical component to create resistance in the flow of electric current.
In almost all electrical networks and electronic circuits they can be found. The resistance is
measured in ohms. An ohm is the resistance that occurs when a current of one ampere passes
through a resistor with a one volt drop across its terminals. The current is proportional to the
voltage across the terminal ends. This ratio is represented by Ohm’s law:

-Source: http://www.resistorguide.com/what-is-a-resistor/
 RHEOSTAT

A rheostat is a variable resistor which is used to control current. They are able to vary the
resistance in a circuit without interruption. The construction is very similar to the construction
of a potentiometers. It uses only two connections, even when 3 terminals (as in
a potentiometer) are present. The first connection is made to one end of the resistive element
and the other connection to the wiper (sliding contact). In contrast to potentiometers, rheostats
have to carry a significant current. Therefore they are mostly constructed as wire wound
resistors. Resistive wire is wound around an insulating ceramic core and the wiper slides over
the windings.

-Source: http://www.resistorguide.com/rheostat/
 SOLENOID

Solenoid, a uniformly wound coil of wire in the form of a cylinder having a length much greater
than its diameter. Passage of direct electric current through the wire creates a magnetic
field that draws a core or plunger, usually of iron, into the solenoid; the motion of the plunger
often is used to actuate switches, relays, or other devices.

-Source: https://www.britannica.com/science/solenoid-electronics
 SPDT (SINGLE-POLE, DOUBLE-THROW)

A Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) switch is a switch that only has a single input and can
connect to and switch between 2 outputs. This means it has one input terminal and two output
terminals.

A Single Pole Double Throw switch can serve a variety of functions in a circuit. It can serve as an
on-off switch, depending on how the circuit is wired. Or it can serve to connect circuits to any 2
various paths that a circuit may need to function in.

-Source: http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/Single-pole-double-throw-switch-SPDT
 SPST (SINGLE-POLE, SINGLE-THROW)

A Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) switch is a switch that only has a single input and can connect
only to one output. This means it only has one input terminal and only one output terminal.

A Single Pole Single Throw switch serves in circuits as on-off switches. When the switch is
closed, the circuit is on. When the switch is open, the circuit is off.

-Source:http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/Single-pole-single-throw-switch-SPST
 TRANSFORMER

Transformer, device that transfers electric energy from one alternating-current circuit to one or
more other circuits, either increasing (stepping up) or reducing (stepping down) the voltage.
Transformers are employed for widely varying purposes; e.g., to reduce the voltage of
conventional power circuits to operate low-voltage devices, such as doorbells and toy electric
trains, and to raise the voltage from electric generators so that electric power can be transmitted
over long distances.

Transformers change voltage through electromagnetic induction; i.e., as the magnetic lines of
force (flux lines) build up and collapse with the changes in current passing through the primary
coil, current is induced in another coil, called the secondary. The secondary voltage is calculated
by multiplying the primary voltage by the ratio of the number of turns in the secondary coil to
the number of turns in the primary coil, a quantity called the turn’s ratio.

-Sources: https://www.britannica.com/technology/transformer-electronics
 VAN DE GRAAFF

The Van De Graaff Generator is basically an electrostatic machine that can generate high
voltages. A typical Van De Graaff Generator consists of an insulating belt that transports
electrical charge to a terminal. The charges that are sent on the belt are generated through a
high voltage DC supply. These charges are collected in the inside of the terminal and transferred
to its external surface.

-Sources: https://www.imagesco.com/articles/high-voltage/van_de_graaf.html
 VOLTMETER

A voltmeter is an instrument that measures the difference in electrical potential between two
points in an electric circuit. An analog voltmeter moves a pointer across a scale in proportion to
the circuit’s voltage; a digital voltmeter provides a numerical display. Any measurement that can
be converted to voltage can be displayed on a meter that is properly calibrated; such
measurements include pressure, temperature, and flow.

-Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-physics/chapter/voltmeters-and-ammeters/
 WHEATSTONE BRIDGE

The Wheatstone Bridge was originally developed by Charles Wheatstone to measure unknown
resistance values and as a means of calibrating measuring instruments, voltmeters, ammeters,
etc, by the use of a long resistive slide wire.

The Wheatstone bridge (or resistance bridge) circuit can be used in a number of applications
and today, with modern operational amplifiers we can use the Wheatstone Bridge Circuit to
interface various transducers and sensors to these amplifier circuits.

The Wheatstone Bridge circuit is nothing more than two simple series-parallel arrangements of
resistances connected between a voltage supply terminal and ground producing zero voltage
difference between the two parallel branches when balanced. A Wheatstone bridge circuit has
two input terminals and two output terminals consisting of four resistors configured in a
diamond-like arrangement as shown. This is typical of how the Wheatstone bridge is drawn.

-Source: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/blog/wheatstone-bridge.html