So after watching some awesome videos posted up on youtube, you find yourself going “OMFG I WANT ONE OF THOSE!” and quickly typed the link into AcidMods.com. Now that you’re here, you want to know exactly what to do and how, but what does a total noobie ask about how to get started? Here is my noobie’s guide on how to get started here on AcidMods.
AcidMods.com Glossary
Learning the Lingo
Written By: TheMagnolia
Contributions from (in no particular order): Neubit, TimmyDX, dedafmonteur, ndrew2505
60/40 rosin core: solder most commonly used when working with electronics, it contains 60% tin, and 40% lead with a core of rosin flux
~ A ~ Alligator clips: a small metal clip that resembles a clothes line but has small serrated jaws like an alligator. It has a variety of uses such as temporarily joining components together or for clipping onto leads to form a temporary circuit. It is also used as miniature clamps for holding parts together for gluing or wires together for soldering.
Alternating current (AC): type of current in which there is a change in direction in which the electrons flow (also see Direct current)
Amplitude: a measure of how much voltage is in an electrical signal (also describes a wavelength)
Anode: the positive end of a diode (also see cathode)
Auto-ranging: a feature which some multimeters have that automatically sets the test range
~ B ~ Battery: a power source that uses electrochemical reaction to create a positive voltage at one terminal and a negative voltage at another
Biasing: this is a method of testing predetermined voltages and/or currents at various points of a circuit to set an appropriate operating point
Bipolar: a common type of integrated current (also see integrated current)
Breadboard: has nothing to do with food, it is actually a plastic board which can come in a variety of shapes and sizes and has columns of holes. A line of metal connects the holes electrically and by plugging in components into the holes and connecting them with wire, you can build a solderless circuit.
Bus: a connection joint
~ C ~ Cable: a set of two or more wires that are somehow bound together and are protected by an outer insulation
Capacitance: is the ability to store electrons (measured in farads)
Capacitor: a part of a circuit which provides the property of capacitance, it is a device which can store energy in the electric field between a pair of conductors (known as plates). The process of storing energy in the capacitor is known as “charging” and involves electrical charges of equal magnitude but opposite polarity being built up on each plate. In layman terms:[/b] it’s a sponge which absorbs electricity until its full then squeezes out all the electricity at once (also see electrolytic capacitor, ceramic capacitor, tantalum capacitor)
Cathode: the negative end of a diode (see also anode)
Ceramic capacitor: the most common type of capacitor which is used for measuring smaller values of capacitance
Circuit: electrical circuit is a network that has a closed loop, giving a return path for the current to travel.
Closed circuit: a circuit which provides an uninterrupted pathway for the flow of a current (also see open circuit)
Closed position: the position of a switch which allows a current to flow (basically the “on” position) (also see open position)
CMOS: (abbreviation for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) a type of integrated current which is very sensitive to electrical discharge. Examples of CMOS technology can be found in microprocessors
Cold solder joints: what you shouldn’t be doing when soldering something! This is what happens to a joint when the solder fails to flow properly around the metal parts. This results in a weak joint and outwardly looks very dull with some pointy parts. A good soldering job should be shiny and rounded with no points. This can occur if you touch the solder directly to the soldering iron or if you don’t use flux or soldering paste.
Conductor: any material which allows electricity to move through it (IE:[/b] copper wires, etc. . . )
Connector: metal or plastic receptacles on equipment which you can fit cable ends into, basically it’s a device for joining electrical circuits together. Connections can be temporary or a permanent electrical joint between two wires or devices.
Continuity: a multimeters test function which tests whether a circuit is intact between two points (also see multimeter)
Crocodile clip: is a temporary electrical connector which resembles a crocodile’s jaws. It functions like a spring loaded clothespin and has serrated jaws which make them grip onto a metal object. One of the jaws usually has a wire permanently attached for connection to an electric circuit. The clip may be partly covered by a plastic shroud to prevent accidental short circuits.
Current: the flow of an electrical charge
Cycle: the portion of an alternating current (AC) where the voltage goes from its lowest point to its highest point and back again. This cycle repeats itself until you stop it.
~ D ~ Desolder pump: a piece of equipment with a vacuum that sucks up excess solder
Desoldering braid: typically a piece of copper braid which removes solder from any solder connection. To use it you must put the desoldering braid on the solder joint, then place soldering iron tip on top. The melted solder will be drawn into the braid leaving you with a clean and re-solderable connection.
Diode: a device that limits the flow of current to one direction, thereby converting alternating current to direct current. Early diodes include vacuum tubes and “cat’s whisker” crystals. Today diodes are made from semiconductive materials such as silicon or germanium.
Direct current: a type of current which the electrons move only from the negative terminal to the positive in one direction. A battery generates a direct current.
Double-pole, double throw switch (DPDT): a type of switch with two input connections and four output connections
Double-pole, single throw switch (DPST): a type of switch with two input connections and two output connections
Double-pole switches: a type of switch with two input connections
Dual inline package (DIP): is an electronic device package with rectangular housing and two parallel rows of electrical connecting pins, DIPs are commonly used in breadboards and circuit boards.
~ E ~ Electricity: presence and flow of electric charge
Electrolytic capacitor: a common type of capacitor used for measuring large values of capacitance (see also capacitor)
Electromagnet: basically a piece of metal wrapped with wire. When a current runs through the wire, the metal is temporarily magnetized. This effect disappears when you shut off the current.
Electromotive force: an attractive force measured in volts. This force exists between positive and negative charges.
Electron: a negatively charged particle
Electrostatic discharge (ESD): is caused by static electricity and results in a sudden electric shock (as a result of a current flowing between two objects with different electrical potentials). This is basically what happens when you put your finger into an electrical socket. ESDs can also damage electrical equipment. (also see static electricity)
~ F ~ Farad: unit for measuring capacitance
Flathead: a type of screw with a flat head and a single slot; you use a flat head screwdriver for this type of screw
Flux: a waxy substance used to make molten solder flow around components and wire, this makes sure you have a good joint
Frequency: number of cycles over a period of time, symbol for frequency is f.
~ G ~ Gauge: a method for measuring the size of wire, generally the higher the number the smaller the wire
Ground: can mean either a connection in a circuit used as a reference for 0 volts or the common return path for an electrical current or direct physical connection to the Earth.
H-bridge: a circuit or integrated circuit which enables DC electric motors to run forwards and backwards and is commonly used in robotics. This isn’t commonly used in modding but is a good to know.
Heat sink: a piece of metal used to protect components, the sink is used to draw off heat (IE:[/b] from a soldering iron) to prevent any damage to other components. Temporary heat sinks can be used while soldering circuit boards. In the simplest case, this means partially gripping a piece using an crocodile clip or similar clamp.
~ I ~ I: the symbol for current
IC: abbreviation for integrated circuit (please see integrated circuit)
Impedance: is the measurement of opposition to the flow of alternating current, electrical impedance also extends to the concept of resistance to AC circuits. It describes relative amplitudes of voltage and current and also relative phases.
Inductance:[/b] the ability to store energy in a magnetic field (measured in Henries)
Inductors: is a passive electrical device used in electric circuits that have the ability to store energy in the magnetic field of a circuit.
Infrared temperature sensor: a type of sensor that measures temperature through infrared.
Input: information you enter into a computer, this can take a variety of forms from pushing buttons or turning on a switch.
Insulator: any substance that prevents electrons from moving freely (IE:[/b] rubber)
Integrated circuit: also known as a microchip and is a miniaturized electric circuit which contains smaller components
Inverter: a type of logic gate with a single input
Inverting mode: what happens when an op amp flips an input signal to produce an output signal (also see operational amplifier)
~ J ~ Jack: a type of connector
~ K ~ Kohm: kilo ohms, basically 1000 ohms
Kynar: a type of wire used mostly for console mods, it is a very thin, single stranded wire and is covered by insulation
~ L ~ Live circuit: a circuit with voltage applied to it (remember to shut off the power when modding things to prevent a nasty shock)
Lug: a metal protrusion which looks sort of like a belly button with a hole in the center so you can feed wires through it and solder it to other components
~ M ~ Microcontroller: a programmable circuit
MoBo: abbreviation of motherboard
Motherboard: the primary circuit board making up complex electronic systems
Multimeter: a device used for testing things such as voltage, resistance, continuity and amperage (a definite must have in a mod kit)
~ N ~ N-type semiconductor: a semiconductor which has been contaminated and has more electrons then a pure semiconductor
~ O ~ Ohm: the unit for resistance, symbol for this is omega (also see resistance)
Ohm’s law: a law that states that a current passing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to potential difference (OE:[/b] voltage drop and voltage) across two joints, and inversely proportional to the resistance between them. This formula is used to calculate voltage, current, resistance or power.
Open circuit: a circuit which no current is able to flow (also see closed circuit)
Open position: a switch position that stops the flow of current, also known as the “off” position
Operational amplifier: also known as the op amp. It is an integrated circuit which provides uniform amplification over a wide range of frequencies rather than a single-transistor amplifier.
Output: what your device puts out and is powered by the circuit to produce an effect of some sort, this can anything from blinking lights, to speakers emitting sound.
~ P ~ P-type semiconductor: a semiconductor with contaminants added to it which causes it to contain fewer electrons then a pure semiconductor
Pad: contact points on a circuit board used to connect components.
Parallel circuit: one of two ways of joining an electric circuit’s components. If two or more circuit components are connected like rungs of a ladder, it is said to be parallel. The parallel circuit’s pathway is different for current through each of its components; as a result a parallel circuit provides the same voltage across all its components.
Phillips: a type of screwdriver used for a screw with a plus sign shaped slot on its head
PN junction: the interface of two regions that contain boron and phosphorus adjacent in a semiconductor. Most transistors and diodes contain PN junctions.
Potentiometer: a variable resistor that allows for continual adjustment of resistance. This adjustment can range from 0 ohms to the maximum value.
Power: the measure in watts the amount of work that an electric current does when running through an electrical component
Power source: something that puts energy into the system, almost all the mods here at AM use a battery as the main power source
Proton: a positively charged particle
Prototyping board: same thing as a breadboard
Pulse: a signal that rapidly alternates from high and low
~ R ~ R: the symbol for resistance
RC (resistance/capacitance) time constant: a formula used to calculate the time required to charge a capacitor to two-thirds or discharge to one-third of its capacity
Resistance: the measurement of the ability of electrons to move through a material
Resistor: part of a circuit which reduces the amount of electrons flowing through the circuit
Rosin flux remover: an “after soldering” cleaner which removes any remaining flux so it doesn’t oxidize your circuit
~ S ~ Schematic: a drawing that shows you how components in a circuit are connected
Semiconductor: a material usually made out of silicon that has some properties of both a conductor and an insulator
Semiconductor temperature sensors: a type of sensor that measures temperature electronically
Series circuit: one of two ways an electrical circuit can be connected together:[/b] a circuit which current runs through each component in sequence. If two or more circuit components are connected end to end like a daisy chain they are connected in a series. All components are linked together and as a result the current diminishes through each component. (also see parallel circuit)
Short circuit: allows a charge to flow along a different path from the one intended, can be caused by a poor soldering job. Note that this isn’t the same as an electrical malfunction.
Single-pole, double throw switch (SPDT): a type of switch in which one wire goes into the switch and two wires leave the switch
Single-pole switches: a type of switch with one input wire
Slide switch: a type of switch that you slide back and forth to turn the device on and off
Solder wick: same thing as desoldering braid
Soldered breadboard: a breadboard where you solder the pieces into place
Soldering: is the process which two or more metallic items are joined together by melting and flowing a filler material into the joint (aka solder), the filler metal having a relatively low melting point
Soldering iron: same thing as a soldering pencil
Soldering paste: is a mix of solder particles and flux, you will use a lot of it in modding.
Soldering pencil: a wand like tool used to apply solder, it has a metal tip and can range in wattage (we use between 15-20 watts) and is used to melt solder to form joints.
Solid wire: a single-strand wire
Static electricity: a form of current that remains within the insulating body even after you remove the power source (EX:[/b] lightening is a good example of static electricity)
Stranded wire: two or three small bundles of very fine wire wrapped within insulation
Stray capacitance: stray capacitance occurs when electrical fields occur between wires or leads in a circuit because they are placed too close together. As a result energy is stored unintentially. For example any two adjacent conductors are can be considered as a capacitor, although the capacitance will be small unless the conductors are close together or long.
~ T ~ Tantalum capacitor: is a type of capacitor used when a circuit can’t accommodate a large range of capacitance value variation. Tantalums exploit the tendency of tantalum to form a protective oxide surface layer and are pressed into pellet shapes and used in small electronics.
Terminal: is a conductive device for joining electrical circuits together, for example it can be a piece of metal which you can hook up wires to such as a battery. Types of terminals are:[/b] splices, solder lugs, tongue crimp terminals, turrets, test probes, clips, screw terminals, tab terminals, tip terminals
Thermistor: a resistor that changes its resistance value when temperature changes
Thermocouple: a sensor that measures temperature electrically
Traces: are the wires that run between pads on a circuit board to electrically connect components
Transistor: a semi conductor that controls the flow of electricity
~ V ~ V: the symbol for voltage
Variable capacitor: a capacitor that includes two or more metal plates that are separated by air, if you turn the dial you will change the capacitance of the device
Variable coil: a coil of wire that surrounds a moveable metal slug, moving the slut causes changes in the inductance of the coil
Voltage: attractive force between positive and negative charges
Voltage drop: the drop in voltage that occurs when voltage pulls electrons through resistors and the component uses some of the voltage
Voltage spike: a sharp but brief increase in voltage
~ W ~ Watt hour: the unit for the measure of energy
Wire: a long strand of metal, usually made out of copper and used to make connections in electronics. Electrons travel down the length of the wire to conduct electricity.
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