Hello everyone and nice to meet you. I am a retired computer programmer analyst and my main interest is learning how to build circuits that can be controlled by an Arduino.
I am fairly knowledgeable about the program coding side but breadboarding, circuit boards, measuring, etc is the work of the devil. (just kidding as it fascinates me )
I have started with the Forrest Mims book, Getting Started in Electronics, and it has a lot of good stuff in it and I am trying to work through the exercises, taking measurements as appropriate.
So, my 1st exercise is to breadboard a circuit using:
1) Zener diode
2) 12v DC source
3) 60 ohm, 1/2 watt resistor.
The exercise doesn't really specify the components except for the resistor.
Well what I have laying around are these:
1 Zener Diode 1n4007 ( I think ) the numbers are bloody small.
2) DC 14.5 v
3 ) 300 ohm, 1/2w
The exercise shows 12v coming in and 9 v coming out and I figured that I might get something similar.
Foolish mortal. Hah !
So, is there a formula that I could use to predict what I should get.
It seems that knowing the input voltage, the resistor value, and some number from the diode data sheet, I ought to be able to predict the output.
Using a digital VOM, I get all kinds of weird readings. A lot having to do with terrible breadboarding skills..
I expect that I will eventually master the breadboarding and I would like to be able to predict the outcome ?
Is there any hope for me ?
I am fairly knowledgeable about the program coding side but breadboarding, circuit boards, measuring, etc is the work of the devil. (just kidding as it fascinates me )
I have started with the Forrest Mims book, Getting Started in Electronics, and it has a lot of good stuff in it and I am trying to work through the exercises, taking measurements as appropriate.
So, my 1st exercise is to breadboard a circuit using:
1) Zener diode
2) 12v DC source
3) 60 ohm, 1/2 watt resistor.
The exercise doesn't really specify the components except for the resistor.
Well what I have laying around are these:
1 Zener Diode 1n4007 ( I think ) the numbers are bloody small.
2) DC 14.5 v
3 ) 300 ohm, 1/2w
The exercise shows 12v coming in and 9 v coming out and I figured that I might get something similar.
Foolish mortal. Hah !
So, is there a formula that I could use to predict what I should get.
It seems that knowing the input voltage, the resistor value, and some number from the diode data sheet, I ought to be able to predict the output.
Using a digital VOM, I get all kinds of weird readings. A lot having to do with terrible breadboarding skills..
I expect that I will eventually master the breadboarding and I would like to be able to predict the outcome ?
Is there any hope for me ?