Circuit breakers make electricity safe in everyday life. The miniature breakers found in your home are relatively simple devices. Commercial units like the Eaton Power Defense with …
Read MoreOkay, technically, this circuit *does* use Op-Amps. However, the ones shown here are integrated into an ATmega128DB microcontroller from Microchip. The DIP package breaks out two …
Read MoreOscilloscopes are available in many shapes and sizes. After figuring out how much bandwidth you need (or want), the next step is to choose the form factor. Do you go with the …
Read MoreDesoldering braid removes surface solder from a circuit board. It makes reworking PCBs easy and quick. With a few tips and tricks, products like MG Chemical’s Superwick can work …
Read MoreDid you know that TTL chips do not output 5 volts? 74LS, 74HC, and 74HCT all have different input and output thresholds. Switching between logic families can be difficult if you …
Read MoreEverything with a microcontroller has serial buses in it. Busses like UART, I2C, and SPI are very popular choices. When you have a problem with a sensor that uses one or the bus …
Read MoreThe 555 is a very popular chip, and for good reason. It is such a versatile timer. Learn about 555 measurements like how to measure the voltage divider inside the chip and what is …
Read MoreAs batteries age, their ESR goes up. Eventually, they will no longer be serviceable. A battery measurement tool like the Hioki BT3554 lets field service technicians monitor the …
Read MoreObviously, you need solder to build most circuits. However, before and after soldering a circuit, there is a bunch of other stuff. In this Workbench Wednesdays episode, James looks …
Read MoreCeramic capacitors change capacitance with applied voltage, temperature, and age. They are the most popular electronic component, yet many do not understand what causes this …
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