how do we engage in practical electronics.?

[phobika]

hi everyone..
my question may be a kind of stupid question..
but i always wondered how..here's the dilemma, i'm a electrical engg student, just finished my 4th semister.
now i'm in my holidays,and thought of doing some projects...searching for what to do, i ended up here..
& found that i just can't implement what i've learned, it's just a wide wide stream..just overwhelmed by the variety.
so which's the best way for a novice to enter practical world & how to implement tons of theory what we've learned?
quite a long question though..thank you for your time,
thanks in advance. regards

 

[alexxx]

Start digging electronic components manufacturers web sites, take a look at their parts, read some datasheets, so that you will start entering into the "real world". You 'll be suprised when you see how many parts exist that you have never heart of them at school. I would also suggest to stay in this forum, reading real world problems and real world solutions. You will discover that many of those solutions based at theory that you have already learned.

The challenge is to first understand circuits that you see and then start to create circuits of your own. A lot of circuits are given by parts manufacturers, that's why I told you that it would be nice to enter those web pages. Then when the time comes to design a circuit, maybe you will say "I think that once I have seen this somewhere, let me google it to get more information".
And always remember: Google is your friend.

Regards,
Alexandros

 

[BradtheRad]

I've tried to make my pursuit of electronics of practical value. Often it is, but I've still indulged a leaning toward projects that carry a wow factor.

As you say, the electronics field is vast and fascinating. I could tinker all the time. Explore in various directions.

However I feel the need to do something practical that I can point to and be proud of. Projects I use instead of store in my junk box.

Repairing and replacing things is a useful outlet. I'm motivated to save money. So I can say I beat the system.

The avenues can include audio, radio, computer, automotive, home electrical, home appliances, home security, etc.

Expanding capabilities of equipment with homebrew projects (rather than resort to storebought items).

Constructing various meters and indicators. Made my own power supply. Waveform generator. 6-digit frequency counter.

I put together a home power system in anticipation of Y2K.

I like to think about making a tesla coil and such. However I would feel self-indulgent if I did. So I'm waiting until there's a practical reason for me to do so.

 

[phobika]

The challenge is to first understand circuits that you see and then start to create circuits of your own. A lot of circuits are given by parts manufacturers, that's why I told you that it would be nice to enter those web pages. Then when the time comes to design a circuit, maybe you will say "I think that once I have seen this somewhere, let me google it to get more information".
And always remember: Google is your friend.

Regards,
Alexandros

let's take a example, for a bridge rectifier we need to use doides., this's what we learn in text book along with it's rectification action etc, but in real world it's a different story.
things are so advanced & everything has got so small & efficient, if we are given with a rectifier circuit we fail miserably to to make what it is there in that circuit. why it is so?we just feel outdated. now when we're designing one, how do we know this's the correct component to go into the circuit among the array of component we got in market?

 

[KerimF]

This how I started (35 years ago):
(1) I had a request (from a buyer, the first one) to build a simple on/off light controller for 220Vac 1000W bulbs (though now most people uses LEDs). It was one of the most important exams I had to pass. There was no question to fail for two reasons; I had to prove to myself that I can build something (simple or not) to be useful for others the way they like, and I had the impression that it may be the first circuit of the private business I was looking to start (and it was!)
(2) I had, at that time, a multi-meter only. So there was no way to see the shape of any signal other than measuring the DC value and in a way the AC strength. It took me about 2 months to find out that I was connecting the electrolytic capacitor at the supply output with the wrong polarity. So no matter how I redesigned the circuit, the unseen high ripple voltage prevented it to work properly. But I was ready to keep trying forever to find out the reason of the circuit failure! In other words, for me, withdrawing or shifting to another project was absolutely out of question too.
(3) My first goal was to make products that run properly (exactly as I like them to do, actually as requested by the customer). It didn’t (even till now) matter for me if my work or solution is the best or not in the world as long it is the best in my surroundings and in some respects in the least. I don’t try to imitate in my designs any other’s work while I also don’t try to re-invent the wheel if I can buy it and added to my project.

What I have just written may apply to those who may be able to start their own private business/company. But to those who look to work in a company, things are likely very different, I guess.

Kerim

 

[alexxx]

let's take a example, for a bridge rectifier we need to use doides

how do we know this's the correct component to go into the circuit among the array of component we got in market?

OK. First of all you should know the specifications of your application. For example you know that you have an AC input 24V/2A (48VA). So what kind of rectifier diode would you used? You first need to know the characteristics of each component. About diodes, a very important characteristic is forward current. Voltage is not so important at low voltages, I suppose all general purpose diodes could handle voltages of 24V. So you need a diode that could handle at least 2A. You will choose not a 2A diode (because you would be on the borderline), but a let's say 3A diode. Right? Maybe. Because what about if your application had a maximum current of 0.5A? Then a 3A diode would be a waste of money, because an 1A diode could do the job.
After that, you should look into other things. What about if you had a noisy power source? Then you should also care about peak forward current.
And like that, depending on application specifications you define what kind of diode you need. But where do you get all this precious information from? Datasheets of course!

Then you search and find let's say 5 diodes that suite your needs. You must check the price, the availability on the local market and then you decide which one of them to use.

Hope that helped.

 

[phobika]

Hope that helped.

yes it did helped me, now plannng to design a AC voltage controller for my table lamp,using TRIAC n DIAC combination,.checking out data sheets.
hope i'll figure it out. thank you for giving moral support.
i'll keep updated with regarding to the projects.

---------- Post added at 21:37 ---------- Previous post was at 21:31 ----------

This how I started (35 years ago):

thats a lot of experience sir..more than my age!:!:
that's kind pf exposure that i want, the situation brings the best out of us..