WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:02.240 Welcome to the deep dive. Today, we're plunging into a 2 00:00:02.240 --> 00:00:05.080 topic that might seem a little intimidating at first, but 3 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:09.199 trust me, it's incredibly accessible and empowering. We're talking about 4 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:13.960 hacking electronics, and before that word conjures images of complex 5 00:00:14.039 --> 00:00:17.800 code or maybe illicit activities, let's clarify here, it means 6 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:21.679 something far more approachable, hands on and genuinely. 7 00:00:21.239 --> 00:00:26.079 Created exactly our source material, hacking electronics an illustrated DIY 8 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:29.760 guide for makers and hobbyists. It really redefines hacking as simply, 9 00:00:29.800 --> 00:00:32.679 we'll just do it. It's about giving you the power 10 00:00:32.679 --> 00:00:36.640 to experiment, to build, to modify electronic devices without needing 11 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:39.399 a formal engineering degree. The core idea is really to 12 00:00:39.399 --> 00:00:41.960 demystify what often feels like a total black box of 13 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:43.679 circuits and components, and. 14 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:46.359 That's our mission today. We're going to extract the most 15 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:50.399 important nuggets of knowledge from this fantastic guide, offering you 16 00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:53.399 a shortcut kind of to becoming truly well informed in 17 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:57.079 the world of electronics. I think surprising facts, practical insights, 18 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:00.200 and enough humor to keep you hooked. So if you 19 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:02.359 ever wanted to understand how gadgets work or maybe even 20 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:05.799 build your own. This deep dive is definitely for you, Okay, 21 00:01:05.879 --> 00:01:08.480 so let's unpack that core philosophy. Just do it. 22 00:01:10.239 --> 00:01:13.400 The guide really emphasizes learning from your mistakes. It encourages 23 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:15.560 you to try things out first, see what happens, and 24 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:18.680 then worry about the deep theory later. It's all about experimentation, 25 00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:19.799 and that's well. 26 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:22.599 It's a revolutionary approach, right, especially in a field that 27 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:26.840 often seems highly specialized and intimidating. If we connect this 28 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:29.599 to the bigger picture, it's really about breaking down those 29 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:33.560 barriers to entry. Knowledge in this context is most valuable 30 00:01:33.560 --> 00:01:35.959 when you can actually apply it, even if it's through 31 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:38.879 trial and error. You'll learn so much more by physically 32 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:42.000 building a circuit that maybe doesn't work at first than 33 00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:45.040 by just reading a textbook. I couldn't agree more so. 34 00:01:45.599 --> 00:01:47.840 Once you're ready to just do it, where do you 35 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:50.319 even get the stuff to hack? The guide points out 36 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:52.959 that most component purchases nowadays happen online. 37 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:57.519 Absolutely yeah, I think to sites like Mouser, Digikey, Spark, 38 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:02.319 fun A to Fruit. These are your big online component supermarkets. 39 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:05.280 Basically you'll find pretty much everything you need there, usually 40 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:07.000 with good descriptions and data sheets too. 41 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:10.000 Now, if you're in a pinch need something like right now, 42 00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:12.879 you might find brick and mortar stores, but yeah, their 43 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:15.560 range is often pretty limited and prices are usually higher. 44 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:19.599 But here's a secret weapon for hackers. Online auction sites 45 00:02:20.319 --> 00:02:21.000 like eBay. 46 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:24.080 Oh, eBay is a gold mine for the adventurous. Seriously, 47 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:28.159 it's fantastic for unusual components like specific laser modules or 48 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:31.520 say high power LEDs, and especially for bulk buying. You 49 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:35.000 can often get things incredibly cheap, often directly from manufacturers 50 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:37.639 or suppliers in the Far East. Just a quick heads 51 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:40.520 up though sometimes these components might not be shall we 52 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:43.719 say grade A, so read descriptions carefully and maybe don't 53 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:45.400 be too surprised if you get a few dead on 54 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:47.599 arrival items. That's just part of the low cost game. 55 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:51.800 And speaking of low costs, the ultimate hackers trick. Scavenging 56 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:56.400 low cost consumer items can be amazing donors of components 57 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:01.520 really amazing. We're talking old flashlights, broken fans, solar garden lights, 58 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:02.879 computer speakers. 59 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:04.879 Nice power supplies, even. 60 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:08.159 Old radio receivers. You can often extract motors, led arrays, 61 00:03:08.199 --> 00:03:11.879 switch is perfectly good wires for far less than buying 62 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:14.759 the raw parts. It's truly sustainable hacking. 63 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:15.680 Yeah, it really is. 64 00:03:16.039 --> 00:03:19.280 So you've gathered your treasures, what tools do you actually 65 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:21.800 need to start putting things together? The good news is 66 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:23.360 it's surprisingly. 67 00:03:22.759 --> 00:03:25.879 Little, honestly. Yeah, you can get started with just maybe 68 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:30.240 four main things. A multimeter, basic soldering equipment that's an iron, 69 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:34.000 some solder and a stand, pliers, snips, and a couple 70 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:37.479 of screwdrivers. The advice is always to start inexpensive. You 71 00:03:37.479 --> 00:03:40.800 wouldn't learn violin on a stratuvarius, right, Get comfortable with 72 00:03:40.840 --> 00:03:43.080 the basics before you invest in the pro gear. 73 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:45.680 That makes total sense. And when it comes to that multimeter, 74 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:48.479 what are the absolutely essentials? They're often crammed with functions 75 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:49.639 you might not need right away. 76 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:52.520 For getting into electronics, you really only need four key 77 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:58.159 functions DC volts, DC current resistance, and maybe most importantly, 78 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:01.919 a continuity test. That continuity test is your quick is 79 00:04:01.960 --> 00:04:05.879 this wire connected check? It usually just beeps simple. All 80 00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:08.599 the other bills and whistles mostly fluff you'll rarely use 81 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:10.520 when you're just starting out, okay, And. 82 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:15.159 A crucial prototyping tool solderless bread boards. These are incredibly 83 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:18.680 useful for quickly trying out designs without any permanent connections. 84 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:21.199 Right exactly. You just poke component leads into the sockets 85 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:25.000 ye and tiny metal clips underneath connect the holes in rows. 86 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:28.720 It's perfect for rapid prototyping and testing super fast. 87 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:33.519 Nice. Now about wire, you'll primarily encounter a couple of types. 88 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:36.920 There's solid core or hookup wire that's best for those 89 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:37.399 bread boards. 90 00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:39.839 Right. Yeah, it's a single strand doesn't bunch up, makes 91 00:04:39.839 --> 00:04:41.000 it easy to plug in and. 92 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:44.920 Approchip use different colors red for positive, black for negative, 93 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:47.720 yellow for other connections. It makes your project so much 94 00:04:47.720 --> 00:04:49.040 easier to understand at a glance. 95 00:04:49.319 --> 00:04:52.360 Definitely. And then you have multi core wire that's great 96 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:56.319 for more flexible connections like linking an amplifier to a loudspeaker. 97 00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:01.560 But for audio you'll often see screamed. This is crucial. 98 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:04.480 It has an inner core surrounded by an outer mesh 99 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:08.120 screen which acts as a shield against electrical noise think 100 00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:11.920 annoying mans hum from messing with your delicate signals. It's 101 00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:14.160 like a little Faraday cage around your audio. 102 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:18.279 Right, keeps it clean. Okay, stripping wire that's a fundamental skill. 103 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:21.360 You can use dedicated wire scrippers, sure, but with practice 104 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:23.360 you can do it just as well with a good 105 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:24.600 pair of pliers and snips. 106 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:27.439 Yeah, the key is finding that sweet spot. You grip 107 00:05:27.480 --> 00:05:30.600 the wire with pliers, then gently drip the insulation with 108 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:33.879 snips and just pull it off. Practice makes perfect, Otherwise 109 00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:36.000 you might cut the wire itself or maybe not get 110 00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:37.319 all the insulation off cleanly. 111 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:40.040 Okay, let's get to the fun part putting things together. 112 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:42.839 The simplest way to join wires is just twisting the 113 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:43.600 bear ends together. 114 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:45.759 Yeah, that works best for multi core wire, and if 115 00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:48.279 you twist it properly, neatly, it can actually make a 116 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:50.800 surprisingly reliable connection for simple stuff. 117 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:55.120 But the main skill for serious electronics hacking is definitely soldering. 118 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:59.160 Ah yes, soldering, And this brings up a critical point safety. 119 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:02.480 You're melting at pretty high temperatures, right, and the fumes 120 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:06.279 aren't great for your lungs, so always always put the 121 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:08.959 iron back in its stand when you're not actively using it. 122 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:12.959 Good point were safety glasses, because molten solder blobs can 123 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:17.600 flick up seriously if you get a burn, run it 124 00:06:17.720 --> 00:06:22.480 under cold water immediately, and most importantly, solder in a 125 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:26.959 well ventilated room, ideally with a fume extractor. It's really 126 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:28.360 worth the small investment for. 127 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:31.959 Your health absolutely safety first. Once you have those precautions down, 128 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:34.920 the technique itself is pretty straightforward. You can flow solder 129 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:37.120 into a twisted knot of wires, or. 130 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:39.920 For a cleaner joint, you can attend each wire and 131 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:42.519 first just put a little solder on each bare wire. 132 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:44.800 Then hold them side by side, heath them both with 133 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:47.079 the iron, and apply a bit more solder to join them. 134 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:50.639 The solder flows towards the heat, creating a nice solid connection. 135 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:52.600 Okay, so once you've made a connection, how do you 136 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:54.839 actually test it? Make sure it's good. This is where 137 00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:55.879 your multimeter comes in. 138 00:06:55.839 --> 00:07:00.079 Handy again, right, Nearly all multimeters have a continuity mode. 139 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:03.319 It'll beep when the probes touch, indicating a good electrical path. 140 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:06.959 You can use this to check wires, check circuit board tracks, 141 00:07:07.199 --> 00:07:10.079 and even identify common problems like dry joints where the 142 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:13.680 solder hasn't flowed properly, making a poor connection, or tiny 143 00:07:13.720 --> 00:07:15.160 cracks in a circuit board and. 144 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:16.800 The dry joint is easy to fix. 145 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:20.240 Usually, yeah, just reapply heat and maybe a little fresh solder. 146 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:23.319 Okay, let's put these basic skills into action. A practical 147 00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:26.879 build from the book A simple computer fan fume extractor. 148 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:30.160 Its purpose is exactly what it sounds like, directing those 149 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:31.600 solder fumes away from your face. 150 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:35.680 And this is where understanding those seemingly intimidating schematic diagrams 151 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:37.879 really starts to pay off. They might look like I 152 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:40.959 don't know, squiggly lines at first, but they follow simple 153 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:45.360 logical conventions. Positive voltages usually at the top. The flow 154 00:07:45.399 --> 00:07:48.319 of electricity generally moves from left to right power source 155 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:51.759 on the left. Components are clearly named S one for switch, 156 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:54.600 R one for resistor, D one for diode, and their 157 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:58.240 values are always indicated. Once you learn to read a schematic, 158 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:01.439 it's like having a blueprint for any electronic project. It 159 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:02.319 opens things up. 160 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:05.800 So for this fume extractor, you start by carefully stripping 161 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:10.000 the power supply leads. Crucially, make sure that power supply 162 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:12.160 is unplugged first, don't want any. 163 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:13.439 Sparks definitely unplugged. 164 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:17.399 Then use your multimeter on its DC voltage range to 165 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:21.519 identify the polarity of the leads. Usually the positive is 166 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:23.720 marked somehow, maybe a stripe. 167 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:26.279 Yeah, or the guide mentions a solid line above a 168 00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:28.240 dotted line symbol sometimes right. 169 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:31.279 Once you know which is positive, you solder that lead 170 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:33.799 to one side of a switch and the fans positive 171 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:35.759 lead to the other side of the switch. Okay, the 172 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:38.759 fans negative lead goes directly to the power supplies. Negative 173 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:41.919 insulate all your bare connections, maybe with heat rink, tubing 174 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:44.799 or electrical tape. Plug it in, and your fans show 175 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:46.120 word to life when you flip the switch. 176 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:49.960 Nice A great first project. Practical too. 177 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:53.000 Okay, now we've got our hands dirty with some practical stuff. 178 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:56.879 Let's dive into the essential components and the fundamental theories 179 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:00.799 that make all this possible. Understanding these is the foundation 180 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:02.360 for building anything interesting. 181 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:06.480 Indeed, it's not just about memorizing what a component does, 182 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:09.720 but understanding why it does it and why it matters 183 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:13.759 to your overall circuit. That foundational knowledge really boosts your 184 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:17.320 critical thinking, helps you troubleshoot when things inevitably don't work. 185 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:18.799 Is planned first time? 186 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:21.720 Okay, we'll start by identifying some of the most common 187 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:28.840 electronic components you'll find in almost any starter kit. First up, resistors. Yeah, 188 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:31.159 their purpose is simple, right, they resist the flow. 189 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:34.200 Of current exactly. They come in different physical sizes for 190 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:37.200 different power ratings. But those little point two five watt 191 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:40.799 resistors are your general purpose workhourses. They have those colorful 192 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:42.279 bands which are actually a code. 193 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:44.320 The color code Yeah, black. 194 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:46.240 Is zero, brown one, red, two, and so on. You 195 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:48.360 need to learn that sequence. The first two bands give 196 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:50.720 you digits, the third is a multiplier the number of 197 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:53.240 zeros to add, and the final gold or silver band 198 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:55.679 indicates tolerance how precise it is. 199 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:58.679 And besides fixed resistors, they're also variable. 200 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:02.120 Resistors right like potentiometer or pots. You'll recognize them as 201 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:04.320 volume controls on old radios, things like that. 202 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:06.919 Okay, got it, learn the code next. 203 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:11.919 Capacitors capacitors. Think of them as tiny temporary batteries. They 204 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:14.919 store an electrical charge and can release it very quickly. 205 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:19.360 They're often used for decoupling or smoothing, basically filtering out 206 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:23.600 unwonted noise or instability in a circuit's power supply. You'll 207 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:27.519 see them rated in ferrouds, though usually microferrad nanoferads NF 208 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:30.600 or picoferads PF much smaller units. 209 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.919 And there's a warning about some types. 210 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:36.440 Yes, a crucial detail. Electrolytic capacitors. The can shaped ones 211 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:39.759 usually are polarized, meaning they have a positive and negative lead. 212 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:43.000 The longer lead is usually positive and the negative side 213 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:45.879 always has a stripe or marking, and they have maximum 214 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:50.279 voltage ratings. Exceed that voltage well, the book says, spectacular failure. 215 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:54.080 They can pop quite dramatically, so watch the polarity and voltage. 216 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:56.200 You've been warned. Okay, then we have diodes. 217 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:59.279 Diodes. These are like one way valves for electricity. Current 218 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:02.480 flows in only one direction. They're often used to protect 219 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:05.879 sensitive components from reverse voltage, which can instantly kill some parts. 220 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:08.240 You'll identify them by a strap at one end that 221 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:10.799 marks the cathode the negative side. The other end is 222 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:13.639 the anode positive and related. 223 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:16.240 To diodes LEDs light emitting diodes. 224 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:19.600 Of course LEDs they light up obviously, but they're sensitive 225 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:23.000 little things, very sensitive. You must use a resistor in 226 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:26.200 series with an LED to limit the current always or 227 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:29.159 else or it will burn out almost instantly. Poof gone. 228 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:32.759 And because they're diodes, polarity matters. Get the anode and 229 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:35.440 cathode reversed and it simply won't light up. No harm 230 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:36.919 done usually but no light either. 231 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:41.960 Right current limiting resistor check polarity. Got it. Moving to 232 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:44.039 something a bit more complex. Transistors. 233 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:48.960 These sound important, they are truly the workhorses of modern electronics. 234 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:52.879 Think of them as electronic switches. A very small current 235 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:55.879 going into one lid can control a much bigger current 236 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:58.679 flowing through the other two. The most common type you'll 237 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:02.440 encounter first is probably and NPN bipolar transistor. It has 238 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:06.559 three leads, emitter, collector, and base. Their physical size generally 239 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:08.360 gives you a rough hint about how much current they 240 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:10.279 can handle. Bigger means more current. 241 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:13.759 Usually okay, a tiny current controls a big current. 242 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:15.799 And if you want specifics, then you look at the 243 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:18.559 data sheet. Data sheets provide all the details for a 244 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:23.279 specific part number, including something called dc current gain often 245 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:26.080 written as HFE or beta. This is essential to the 246 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:30.399 multiplier how much the transistor amplifies the base current. For example, 247 00:12:30.440 --> 00:12:33.320 an HFE of one hundred means if you put say 248 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:36.679 one milli ampier into the base, it will allow one 249 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:39.120 hundred million ampiers of collector current to flow. 250 00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:42.519 That's the amplification okay, amplification factor. What about mossfets? 251 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:46.600 Are they similar, similar concept, but generally even more powerful. 252 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:51.120 Mossfets or metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors. 253 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.720 That's mouthful, it is. 254 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:55.919 They amplify current even more efficiently. An incredibly tiny current 255 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:58.720 or sometimes just a voltage change on the gate lead 256 00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:01.960 controls a much much larger current through the drain and 257 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:05.399 source leads. N channel mossfets are the most common, and 258 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:09.159 what's really useful for hobbyists are logic level mossfets. These 259 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:12.120 are designed specifically to be controlled directly by the low 260 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:15.600 volted signals from micro controllers like an Arduino five volts 261 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:17.080 or even three point three volts. 262 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:19.320 Ah, so you don't need extra circuitry to switch big 263 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.639 things exactly. 264 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:24.200 It's game changing for controlling motors or high power LEDs 265 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:26.039 directly from your micro controller. 266 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:29.600 Cool. And then we get two integrated circuits or ICs 267 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:30.919 tips right. 268 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:35.480 ICs. These are literally entire circuits crammed onto a tiny 269 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:38.679 piece of silicon. Think of the super versatile five five 270 00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:43.799 fifty five timer chip or operational amplifiers micro controllers themselves 271 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:47.000 that convince a huge amount of functionality into one small, 272 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:49.039 usually black package with pins. 273 00:13:49.320 --> 00:13:52.480 And finally, quick mention of surface mount components SMDs. 274 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:58.840 Yeah, SMDs. These are the super tiny versions of resistors, capacitors, ICs, everything. 275 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:01.919 They're designed for automated machines, soldering onto the surface of 276 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:05.279 circuit boards, not through holes. While the book focuses on 277 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:08.080 conventional through hole components, the ones with wires that you 278 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:10.679 poke through holes, it's good to know SMDs exist. 279 00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:11.480 Is there everywhere? 280 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:14.279 Now, everywhere in modern devices. Don't be afraid to experiment 281 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:17.159 with them Eventually, maybe with adapters or careful soldering as 282 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:17.919 your skills grow. 283 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:22.080 Okay, so we know the basic building blocks. But what 284 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:25.480 does this all mean for understanding how electricity itself works. 285 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:29.039 Let's talk about the big three. We're talking about current, resistance, 286 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:30.080 and voltage. 287 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:33.639 Yeah, the fundamentals. I often use the river analogy for these. 288 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:37.080 It seems to help. Current measured in amps a is 289 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:39.600 like the amount of water flowing past a point per second. 290 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:43.639 It's the flow of electrical charge. Resistance measured in omes 291 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:46.120 is like a constriction in that river, something narrowing the 292 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:48.120 channel and making it harder for water to flow. It 293 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:52.840 impedes the current and voltage measured in volts v. That's 294 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:55.120 like the pressure or the drop in height the force 295 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:58.840 pushing the water along. Crucially, voltage is always relative. It's 296 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:02.440 a potential difference between two points, not an absolute value. 297 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:07.320 Okay, Flow, restriction, pressure, makes sense. Now here's the absolute 298 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:10.879 foundational concept for all of electronics, something the book calls 299 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:15.120 truly revolutionary Ohm's law. This tells you how current, voltage, 300 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:17.720 and resistance are all interconnected exactly. 301 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:21.320 This is hands down the single most useful thing you 302 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:25.080 can know about electronics. Memorize it, understand it. It's expressed 303 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:30.039 simply as I equals VR current I equals voltage V 304 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:33.639 divided by resistance are So if you have say ten 305 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:36.320 volts pushing through a one hundred. 306 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:38.159 Ohm resistor, it just divided by one hundred is. 307 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:40.360 View point one amps for one hundred millionams m a. 308 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:44.360 That's the current that will flow. Master this relationship and 309 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:47.799 you'll avoid so many common beginner mistakes like burning out 310 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:51.200 LEDs because you forgot the resistor. It's truly the Rosetta 311 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.360 stone of basic electronics. 312 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:55.679 I will VR. Got it. And finally, power. 313 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:58.879 Watts right, Power measured in watts W is all about 314 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:01.159 the rate at which energy is trans formed, usually into 315 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:05.480 heat and electronics. It's calculated as peiv row power equals 316 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:08.639 current times voltage, or using Ohm's law, you can also 317 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:11.600 calculate it as P equals V two R multi square 318 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:15.480 divided by resistance When you're selecting components, especially resistors or 319 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:19.159 transistors that handle significant current, you must check their maximum power. 320 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:20.879 Ratings to make sure they don't overheat. 321 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:23.039 Exactly to ensure they can handle the expected heat dissipation 322 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.919 without burning up. 323 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:26.440 And power explains them everyday things too. 324 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:29.519 Definitely think about it. An FM radio might use what 325 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:32.919 twenty mili loots point zero two w tiny amount of power. 326 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:36.159 An electric kettle, on the other hand, uses maybe three 327 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:40.679 thousand watts, a huge difference. That massive difference in power 328 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:44.120 explains why you don't find battery powered kettles, right. The 329 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:47.120 batteries just couldn't supply that much energy safely or for 330 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:50.440 very long without overheating or dying almost instantly. 331 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:52.799 That makes perfect sense. Okay, so we know the components, 332 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:55.600 the fundamentals like Ohm's law and power. How do you 333 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:58.080 read the blueprints for a project? We touched on schematics, 334 00:16:58.080 --> 00:17:01.000 but let's reinforce that understanding how to read this schematic 335 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:03.679 diagram is your key to unlocking endless projects. 336 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:06.640 It really is, and it's not as scary as it looks. 337 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:10.839 Remember those simple conventions. Higher voltages usually drawn at the top, 338 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:13.880 ground or negative at the bottom. The general signal flow 339 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:17.000 or action happens from left to right. Consistent naming for 340 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:20.759 components B one for battery, S one for switch, R one, 341 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:23.880 R two for resistors, D one for diodes, C one 342 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:27.119 for capacitor, and so on, and their values like one 343 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:30.599 hundred day ten five V are clearly noted right next 344 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:33.039 to them. Once you grasp these basics, you can look 345 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:35.359 at almost any circuit diagram and start to figure out 346 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:37.559 what it's supposed to do. It really simplifies everything. 347 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:41.559 Okay, with those foundational concepts under our belts, let's explore 348 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:44.279 how they play out in actual hacks and projects. Let's 349 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:46.799 show you exactly what you can build, because that's where 350 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.960 the real excitement begins. 351 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:51.839 Right absolutely, this section really answers the question how do 352 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:56.319 these theoretical principles translate into real world functionality. It's often 353 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:59.559 in these practical applications that surprising interactions emerge when you 354 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:01.839 start com binding different components in clever ways. 355 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:05.240 Let's start with a surprisingly simple demonstration of Ohm's law 356 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:10.119 and power in action making resistor get hot deliberately. If 357 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:12.880 you connect a common one hundred zero zero point twenty 358 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:16.319 five want resistor across a six vu bla battery pack. 359 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:21.160 The power calculation PEKE two R gives you six times 360 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:23.799 six divided by one hundred, which is point three. 361 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:26.440 To six watts, and the resistor is only rated FORER 362 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:28.279 point twenty five watts exactly. 363 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:31.119 It exceeds the resistors rating. The source cautions it will 364 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:33.559 get noticeably hot around fifty degree C or one hundred 365 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:35.920 and twenty two degrees fahrenheit. It's a quick way to 366 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:39.720 physically feel power dissipation, and for hobbyist hacking, the book 367 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:42.319 notes it often won't break immediately. That would be a 368 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:46.160 terrible design for a commercial product that needs reliability. Highlights 369 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:46.720 the difference in. 370 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:49.759 Thinking right good practical demo. And you can also use 371 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:53.720 resistors more constructively, like to divide voltage. This is incredibly useful. 372 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:56.839 A variable resistor like a trimpo or a potentiometer can 373 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:59.680 be wired up as a voltage divider. Basically, you apply 374 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:02.559 of woltage across its outer terminals, and the middle wiper 375 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:05.279 terminal gives you a variable voltage between zero and the 376 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:07.799 input voltage depending on where you turn the knobber screw 377 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:10.920 like a volume control, exactly how volume controls work in 378 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:14.480 many audio circuits. They divide the audio signal voltage before 379 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.359 it gets amplified. 380 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:18.160 Okay, let's focus on LEDs again because they're so common 381 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:20.400 and so much fun to work with. To stop an 382 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:22.880 LED from burning out, we said you must use a 383 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:26.079 series resistor always. For example, with a typical red LED, 384 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:28.440 which might have a forward voltage drop of a round 385 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:30.559 two V and a six V supply, if you want 386 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:34.240 about fifteen million amps point zero one five A if current, 387 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:38.200 you'd calculate the resistor value using Ome's law r V 388 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:40.720 supply of v led I. So six V two V 389 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.079 point zero one five A. 390 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:45.400 That's four V zero point zero one five A, which 391 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:47.519 is about two hundred and sixty seven oms. 392 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:49.559 Right. Since two hundred and sixty seven OMS isn't a 393 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:52.440 standard value, you'd use the nearest standard value that's higher. 394 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:55.519 Maybe you have two seventy ohm or three thirty erter resistor. 395 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:57.559 Just to be safe exactly, and here's that crucial point 396 00:19:57.559 --> 00:20:00.640 again worth repeating. If you're lighting multiple LEDs in parallel 397 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:03.440 from the same voltage source, always use a separate series 398 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:05.240 resistor for each individual LED. 399 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:07.119 Don't connect them all to just one resistor. 400 00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:09.920 No. If you do that, the LED with the slightly 401 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:13.440