LED:
- LED stands for "Light Emitting Diode"
- LEDs are directional components. One side is the "Anode," the other the "Cathode."
- The Anode should be connected to +V, the Cathode connected to GND. You shouldn't connect those directly, but put a resistor inbetween.
- Current flows from +V to GND (or -V).
- LEDs transform tranform electrical power into light.
LED symbol
RESISTOR:
- Resistors impede the flow of electricity.
- Resistors are non-directional and can be connected either way.
- Resistors come in all kinds of different "sizes." Each size specifies the amount of electrons being burned with respect to a certain voltage.
- We will use 330 Ohm resitors to protect our LEDs.
resistor symbols
POTENTIOMETER:
- A Potentiometer is a variable resistor. Potentiometer change their size depending on the physical positioning of a little "wheel."
- Potentiometers come in all different kinds of packages and ranges (size range that may be physically adjusted).
potentiometer symbol
BATTERYPACK:
- We are using a battery back containing 2 AA batteries. Together they provide 3V. We need 5 V to power our circuitry. So we chose a batterypack that contains a DC to DC step-up converter to transform our 3V into 5V.
- This batterypack is available from: Bodhilabs .
battery symbol
SWITCH:
- We are using a simple toggle switch in order to toggle the input for the "read"/"write" mode line from +5V to GND. (see "Complete Kit Assembly" for more information).
- A is connected to +5V, B to GND (or vice versa).
switch symbol