Beginner’s Electronics: 10 Skills You Need to Know

<p>Many of us have never even touched a soldering iron – but <em>making things</em> can feel incredibly rewarding. There are some key skills you need when tackling electronics projects – whether you plan on fixing broken devices or assembling Arduinos (our<a href="http://ift.tt/1x7BuxN" target="_blank">Arduino guide</a>), the right skills make the difference between rage and elation. Here’s a quick run-down of ten of the most basic DIY electronics skills to help you get started:</p> <h2><strong>Breadboarding</strong></h2> <p>A <a href="http://ift.tt/1tNFG5A" target="_blank">breadboard</a> allows the construction of a circuit, but without soldering. Why? Because you won’t want to assemble using solder if any individual part is defective or if you’ve misunderstood the diagram. It also can instruct beginning students of electronics and circuit pathways the various components that go into many devices.</p> <p>A breadboard allows the input of a DC current using the channels in the left and right sides of the board. Current on these channels conducts vertically. The rows on the inside of the breadboard allow current to follow horizontally. Here’s what the back of a breadboard looks like – remember that each length of metal functions as a wire:</p> <p><img alt="breadboard reverse section" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-422421" height="638" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" src="http://ift.tt/20z4xY6" srcset="http://ift.tt/1RRXc3R 501w, http://ift.tt/20z4zzb 640w" width="640" /></p> <p>I reviewed several YouTube tutorials, which covered basic breadboarding – and this is the best:</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MlJxCOkgBH8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p> </p> <h2>Soldering</h2> <p>Soldering irons run the gamut from expensive to cheap – I recommend <a href="http://ift.tt/1RRX9VG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this iron</a>. Although you can prototype circuits on a breadboard, you will need some soldering skills to do much else.</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="509" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BLfXXRfRIzY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>One particular method from this tutorial that I don’t recommend: <em>Flicking solder</em>. Flicking solder throws liquid metal and could prove dangerous. I recommend that users instead use a metal pad and rub the heated soldering iron over it to remove solder. There will remain impurities on the tip of the soldering iron, but for basic work, it’s not a big deal.</p> <p>Here’s a clip of using a metal “Brillo” pad (it’s not really a Brillo pad) to clean your soldering iron’s tip:</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1y1xQ0Xefac?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h2>Using a Multimeter</h2> <p>Multimeters perform a number of tasks. The most common use is to measure current, resistance, and voltage. They’re also relatively inexpensive: A <a href="http://ift.tt/20z4zzd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cheap one</a>costs around $6 – the <a href="http://ift.tt/1RRX9VI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">better regarded models</a> cost upwards of $20. Professional models cost hundreds of dollars.</p> <p>Remember, multimeters can actually damage – or be damaged – by the electronics that you’re working on. Watch at least one tutorial, if you’ve never used a multimeter before. There’s quite a few clips on YouTube. I selected one that’s relatively comprehensive, being broken up into a four part series. It covers safety and diagnostics in a sensible and clear manner.</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZBbgiBU96mM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h3>Testing Batteries</h3> <p>Multimeters can do a lot of practical things, as well as troubleshoot circuit boards. For example, you can also test batteries:</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W38x9RJs29I?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h2>Drilling Holes in Project Boxes</h2> <div class="ezAdsense adsense adsense-midtext" style="text-align:center;margin:12px;"><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-2979805726071943" data-ad-slot="7471922310" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); //]]> </script></div> <p>You’ll find yourself needing to drill holes in <a href="http://ift.tt/20z4zzj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">project boxes</a> at some point. A project box keeps all your wires in one spot – they offer convenience, ease of assembly and the ability to hold circuit boards.</p> <p>I won’t go into too much detail here – just keep in mind that multiple methods exist for drilling holes in plastic. I recommend using a <a href="http://ift.tt/1tHlVaf" target="_blank">variable speed rotary drill</a>(colloquially referred to as a “Dremel”, which is in fact a brand name). Dremels offer a number of different bits for different tasks. While other methods work, they do so with more labor and less accuracy.</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="509" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uao-sinxbBs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h2>Using Hot Glue Guns</h2> <p><a href="http://ift.tt/1a7aiEq" target="_blank">Hot glue guns</a> don’t cost much. I found one for <a href="http://ift.tt/1RRXc3T" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">~$6 on Amazon</a> <em>and</em> it includes several glue sticks. While you can use any kind of non-conductive adhesive (insulator) to anchor the various components in place, hot glue guns offer a good mixture of convenience, low-cost and ease-of-use.</p> <p>The glue used in hot glue guns is actually a plastic — not really a glue. Plastic acts as an insulator, meaning it won’t cause a short circuit. This property makes it an ideal adhesive for working with electronics. There’s no chance of inducing a short.</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="509" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ig4plBi7eqY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h2>Using Liquid Electrical Tape</h2> <p>Exposed wires and solder-points can create shorts. Applying electrical tape or heat shrink tape in tight enclosures sometimes won’t fit. Liquid electrical tape fixes both problems. While it costs more than regular electrical tape, it offers ease-of-use, plus some additional features, such as water-proofing, insulating and increasing the durability of soldered joints.</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3HTa3QGc4FQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h2>Electronics Safety</h2> <p>There’s a lot of dangers to keep in mind when working with electronics. Capacitors can kill you (never <a href="http://ift.tt/1i8CQNY" target="_blank">disassemble a power supply</a> as James Bruce has, <em>bad James!</em>), electrostatic discharge can ruin sensitive electronics and always power off your devices before working on them.</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hF4171y2VQ0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>Here’s a clip on electrostatic discharge:</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RtlYi1yLTVQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h2>Cleaning a Circuit Board or Solder Joint</h2> <p>Here’s a great way to clean up the organic residue from soldering or if you just want to clean a printed circuit board (PCB):</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cwN7oUt2kig?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h2>Wire Stripping</h2> <p>I prefer thicker, unbraided wires for use with a wire stripper. I don’t recommend using the cheaper ones (adjustable strippers) that come with technician kits – they tend to cut right through braided wires. The best are the automatic wire strippers (or heated automatic wire strippers), but these tend to cost quite a bit. <a href="http://ift.tt/1RRXc3V" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gauged wire strippers</a> offer the best midground between price and performance.</p> <p>Here’s a tutorial that covers multiple wire-stripping strategies:</p> <p><iframe width="678" height="381" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yDyjVwuy1Ug?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>With these skills, you’re ready to tackle some beginner’s electronics projects and get started making things! 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Beginner’s Electronics: 10 Skills You Need to Know

Many of us have never even touched a soldering iron – but making things can feel incredibly rewarding. There are some key skills you need w...

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