A Blueprint for Learning Electronics
Electronics can seem complicated and maybe even scary. It might seem like you need an advanced degree, lots of experience, or be an ace programmer.
The truth is, learning electronics is a fun and accessible hobby or career. Like most subjects, it is best to focus and apply yourself until you learn the basics.
There are lots of resources available online, some of which you can find right here at Electronics Reference.
We’ve put together some first steps to help you on your journey. We advocate a learn/do/repeat approach.
You can think of this as constructing a building, one floor at a time. You need to know how that floor works before you can use it to support the next floor.
Step 1: Learn the Basics
You might think of Step 1 as making a blueprint.
Before you can start building, you need to know what you’re building.
When it comes to electronics, you need to know two things:
1) What electricity is, and
2) How to learn electronics safely.
Recommended: Read Module 1 for a solid introduction.
Step 2: DC Circuit Basics
Learn the most important concepts of DC Circuits:
1) Voltage
2) Current
3) Resistance
4) Resistors in series and parallel
5) Capacitors in parallel and series
6) Learn how to use a multimeter
7) Use a breadboard and small batteries to create simple DC circuits.
8) Using the examples in the lessons, predict equivalent resistance and voltage drop. Then test your predictions with a multimeter.
Recommended: Read Module 2 and Module 3.
Step 3: Semiconductors
Things are really heating up now!
Learn about important semiconductor devices:
1) Diodes
2) Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
3) Transistors
2) Use the examples from the lesson plan to set up circuits on your breadboard. Predict, test, and build.
Recommended: Read Module 5.
Step 4: Microcontrollers
1) Start learning a microcontroller like Arduino. You can use it to program your circuits in ways that would not have previously not been possible.
2) Use a microcontroller to complete projects like building a robot.
Step 5: Integrated Circuits
Now that you a well rounded understanding of electronics, it’s time to get serious.
a) Learn the 555 timer circuit.
b) Learn the LM358 Op Amp
c) Learn the LM386 Audio Amplifier.
