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Making Electronic Circuits

This page should help you learn about how different components can be combined to create useful circuits. We've included a range of example circuit diagrams and explanations of how they work. The circuits start from the very basics and move on to more advanced practical circuits.

Connecting Resistors Together

Resistors are commonly used for limiting the current available to part of a circuit, but they are also used together in networks to allow voltages to be distributed how you want it around a circuit.

Resistors in SeriesResistors in Series
Connecting resistors together in series allows you to increase the overall resistance of the chain. The values of each resistor can simply be added together to get the overall total value of resistance.

This is commonly written as RT = R1 + R2 + R4 ......

Resistors in ParrallelResistors in Parallel
When resistors are connected in parallel the overall resistance is reduced. This is because there are more paths for the current to follow making it easier than just flowing through one device. Connecting two resistors in parallel that are of the same value simply halves the total resistance, connecting four in parallel makes the total resistance 1/4 of a single resistor, and so on.

When connecting resistors in parallel of different values the following formula is used. 1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3

Voltage DividerVoltage Dividers
A common use of resistors is to put them together to form a voltage divider. The term voltage divider (aka potential divider) is quite self descriptive as they are used to divide up the voltage into portions determined by the resistor values.

Useful Link: Voltage Dividers

This diagram shows a simple example using a single battery and two resistors. The three points (A,B,C) on the circuit are where the voltage measurements can be made.

If this battery is 10V then the voltage between 'C' and 'A' will also be 10V. The voltage at 'B' is determined by the ratio of the values of the resistors R1 and R2. For example; if R1 and R2 are of the same value then the voltage at 'B' will be exactly half the voltage between 'A' and 'C'. The polarity of 'B' can be considered as either positive or negative depending upon whether you use 'A' or 'C' as reference for the measurement.

From this simple example you can have a three rail power supply with outputs of either 10V, 5V, 0V, or 5V, 0V, -5V with respect to A,B,C.

To get different voltage ratios you just alter the resistance ratio. For example; if R1 is 1k Ohms, and R2 is 9k Ohms, the voltage between 'C' and 'B' will be 1V, while the remaining 9V can be measured between 'B' and 'A'.

Connecting Capacitors Together

Capacitors are used as temporary energy storage devices and are often used for generating or tuning signals. Capacitors can also be connected up to work in the same way as as the voltage divider described above. The formulae used for capacitor networks are similar to those used for resistors but they are used in reverse with respect to series and parallel configurations.

Capacitors in SeriesCapacitors in Series
Connecting capacitors in series divides the voltage between each capacitor in a similar way to how it works for resistors. This is useful for creating high voltage capacitors from a series of lower rated ones. This technique is often used for making DIY homemade high voltage capacitors (known as an MMC) for use with devices like Tesla Coils. When capacitors are connected in series the total capacitance (C Total) is reduced. If two identical capacitors are connected in series the overall capacitance is half the value of a single one. This is usually expressed using the formula below.

1/CT = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 ..........

When making a high voltage capacitor like an MMC, it is common to create several series strings of capacitors to match the desired voltage rating, and then to connect these in parallel.

Capacitors in ParrallelCapacitors in Parallel
Capacitors are often connected in parallel to create a larger overall effective capacitance. The voltage tolerance remains the same while the capacitance of the capacitors can be added together to get the total. This is usually expressed using the formula;

CT = C1 + C2 + C4 ......

 

RC Circuits (Resistors & Capacitors)

An RC circuit is simply some combination of a resistor and a capacitor. The value of the resistor in a circuit with a capacitor will change the rate at which the capacitor can be charged and discharged. This relationship is known as the RC time constant. The combination of resistors and capacitors can be very useful for timing circuits and also filtering signals.

RC Series ExampleHere a capacitor is placed in series with a resistor and an LED. The LED is simply used to give a visual indication to what is happening in the circuit. When the battery is first connected the capacitor will begin to charge and therefore a current will flow around the circuit. As the capacitor charges the current flow will decrease until the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the battery voltage. While C1 is charging you will see the LED light up and gradually fade out when C1 is fully charged. Releasing the switch will not reset the circuit. The capacitor must be discharged before the process can start again

RC Series ExampleThis circuit is the same as before except the LED is placed in parralel with the capacitor. The LED will now light when the capacitor is charged. When SW1 is pressed there will be a small time delay before the LED gradually lights up. When SW1 is released, C1 will discharge through R1 and the LED causing it to gadually fade out.

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Questions and Comments on the Electronic Circuits

The information provided here can not be guaranteed as accurate or correct. Always check with an alternate source before following any suggestions made here.
Shuaib BadshahTuesday, 10th February 2009 12:35pm - No.3550
i m basicaly a software engineer i want to control diffierent cuircut from my pc please gide me how i start making a cuicut and then controling from pc
 
RMCyberneticsTuesday, 10th February 2009 1:01pm - No.3553
There are many articles and examples of this on the web, just google around and you wil find what you need.
 
Shuaib BadshahThursday, 19th February 2009 9:07am - No.3582
this is right but i cannot find such a article which for from scaratch becase i even dont know the basic component please help me from the first step i want article which explain for sucha a person who even dont know the a,b,c of electronics
 
JaySunday, 26th July 2009 2:43pm - No.3979
I have built simple circuit consisting of a 9v battery, connected to the battery in parallel is a capacitor and a led. The led lights up.... Facinating.

When I connect the capacitor in series on this circuit (between the +ve terminal and the annode on the led) the led fails to light. I dont have a good grasp of electronics yet but I would have expected the capacitor to repeatedly fire causing the led to flash many times per second, probably too fast to see. But nothing happens, can someone explain this to me? Thanks.
 
RMCyberneticsFriday, 31st July 2009 12:04am - No.3984
Have you tried different values of capacitor? A large capacitor in paralel would cause he LED to fade off when the battery is disconnected.

Connecting the capacitor in series would not make the light flash repeatedly. It should flash just once, then you would need to disharge the capacitor before the light could flash again. If you can't observe the initial flash, try using a capacitor of a larger value. Maybe 10uF.
 
Adesoji adedapo AderemiSaturday, 13th February 2010 9:53pm - No.4246
I like to make purchase. I like to make donation. But my country, Nigeria, is not on the list.

On electromagnetism, if the secondary windings of a HV coil, say a vehicle's coil, is supplied with a pulsed dc voltage would it become an electromagnet? any conditions?
 
RMCyberneticsMonday, 15th February 2010 1:47pm - No.4249
We use PayPal for international transactions but they will not accept payments from Nigeria.

Yes the coil would work as an electromagnet as its construction is basically the same.
 
Adesoji adedapo AderemiThursday, 18th February 2010 10:29am - No.4262
What other options do I have to make a donation?
 
RMCyberneticsFriday, 26th February 2010 10:33am - No.4273
The only other option would be to send a cheque. Please send us an email so we can give you our mailing address.
 
Adesoji adedapo AderemiWednesday, 10th March 2010 9:01pm - No.4297
Please A check from me will not work. (Nigerian bank). What will work is your bank account number. My Email is somantis777@yahoo.com . Adios
 
RMCyberneticsThursday, 11th March 2010 10:21pm - No.4298
Haha, No.
 

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