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Why Start Building Circuits?
Creating your own electronic circuit can be incredibly rewarding. It’s like understanding the heartbeat of everyday gadgets—from your phone to your TV. By following a few straightforward steps, you’ll get hands-on experience that’s both educational and fun, making technology come to life at your fingertips.
What Is A Circuit?
Before moving ahead to the circuit design, we need to understand what the circuit is and how it works.
We can say, an electronic circuit is a closed-loop or circular path where the electric current can flow. A closed-circuit form the circular path which starts and end with the same point. Unlike, the open circuit has a discontinuity in the path.
Now, we are going to understand some important electronic components.
Check out Introduction to Breadboard here.
1. Breadboard:
We are going to use Breadboard in our circuit and it is an essential tool for designing temporary circuits and prototyping. The holes in a breadboard are connected vertically and horizontally in columns and rows respectively.
2. Switch :
Electrical switches are mainly used for the interruption in the current path. By interrupting the circuit it can be switched off and switched on.
3. Resistor :
Resistors are a passive component in electronics that are used to limit the flow of current in a circuit. Most of the resistors have colored strips on the outer side, so we can calculate the resistor values using color code. The ohm (symbol: Ω) is the SI unit of resistance which is offered by the resistor.
4. Light-Emitting Diode (LED) :
LED is a two-terminal semiconductor electronic component which emits light when an electric current flow through it. It produces light of different colors, it depends on the substance used inside the LED.
Now, its time to create a basic circuit, we will be combining everything we’ve learned till now. This will be a great starter project for the beginners and I am sure, this will build your confidence.
Know What Is An Inductor and How its work here.
Here, we are using a breadboard to design a circuit, it will a temporary circuit, and no need to solder it together.
Steps:
- Connect the 9V battery to the breadboard.
- Connect the positive terminal (red wire) of the battery to the positive terminal and the negative terminal (black wire) should be connected to the negative terminal of the breadboard.
- Insert the LED on the breadboard, longer terminal is the Anode and the shorter one is the cathode.
- Place the resistor between the anode of the LED and the positive side of the battery as shown in the image above.
- Place the connection between the cathode terminal of the LED and switch.
- Place the connection between the switch and the negative terminal of the battery.
- Once the switch is ON LED start glowing.
Congratulations! Here, we have completed our first circuit.
FAQs
What materials do I need to build a simple electronic circuit?
For a basic circuit, you’ll need a breadboard, resistor, LED, battery with a holder, and connecting wires. These components allow you to create a functioning circuit without soldering.
What does a resistor do in a circuit?
A resistor limits the amount of electrical current flowing through a circuit, protecting sensitive components like LEDs from too much current, which can cause damage.
How do I troubleshoot a circuit if it’s not working?
First, check all connections to ensure they’re secure. Make sure the battery is connected and has power, verify the LED is oriented correctly, and confirm there are no loose or misplaced wires.
Is it safe to build a circuit at home?
Yes, building simple circuits is generally safe, especially with low-voltage batteries like a 9V. Always disconnect the power source before making adjustments and follow safety tips.
What’s the difference between a breadboard and a circuit board?
A breadboard is a reusable platform used for testing and learning circuit connections without soldering, while a circuit board is a permanent, soldered platform used in finished electronic devices.
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How Transistors Work – A basic Explanation
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