Difference between revisions of "Classes/2010/VIS147A/Lab1"

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##Is the positive wire labelled in any way?  Attach a red alligator cable to the positive wire, and a black alligator cable to the negative wire.  This is the standard color code for positive and negative wire.  
 
##Is the positive wire labelled in any way?  Attach a red alligator cable to the positive wire, and a black alligator cable to the negative wire.  This is the standard color code for positive and negative wire.  
 
# Using one red and one black alligator cable and a short length of red and black hookup wire, connect the positive and negative lines from the power supply to the appropriate power buses on the breadboard.
 
# Using one red and one black alligator cable and a short length of red and black hookup wire, connect the positive and negative lines from the power supply to the appropriate power buses on the breadboard.
# Check that you were correct using a multimeter or bulb/resistor combo.  (The bulbs are 6V bulbs, we have a 12 Volt supply.  How can we see that current is flowing without burning the bulb out?)
 
  
 
==Learn Your Parts==
 
==Learn Your Parts==

Revision as of 09:05, 12 January 2010

Topics Covered

  • connectivity on the breadboard
  • positive and negative polarity on a power supply. positive and negative voltages.
  • cutting and stripping wires. how to use your wire clippers and your wire strippers.
  • how to use your multimeter to measure continuity, voltage differential.

Activities

Distribute the kits. Please keep them in the lab, with the understanding that once you have paid for them with Judi you can take them home. (We will have the final price in next week, please bring a check addressed to the UC Regents).

Breadboard Setup and Voltage Supply:

  1. Connect the positive and negative rails running along the top and bottom of the breadboard--red wire for positive and black wire for negative (pic).
  2. Use the continuity setting on your multimeter to check the connectivity of the positive and negative rails. (pic).
  3. Clip the end of the power adapter off, saving enough wire with the plug to reconnect the two later in the semester (do not clip the wires too close to the plug).
    1. Cut the two loose ends to different lengths, to prevent accidentally touching them together.
    2. Separate the two wires and strip the loose ends of each.
    3. Twist the end of each wire to join the loose strands together.
  4. With the DC voltage setting on the multimeter in the appropriate range, identify which is the positive and which is the negative wire coming from the adapter.
    1. WARNING: To do this you need to plug the adapter into the wall. Be sure that you do not touch the two wires together, this will short out your power supply. If it is easier, use two of the alligator cable to cover the free ends of the wires.
    2. Is the positive wire labelled in any way? Attach a red alligator cable to the positive wire, and a black alligator cable to the negative wire. This is the standard color code for positive and negative wire.
  5. Using one red and one black alligator cable and a short length of red and black hookup wire, connect the positive and negative lines from the power supply to the appropriate power buses on the breadboard.

Learn Your Parts

Familiarize yourself with your components:

  1. Using the reference chart at the beginning of Practical Electronics for Inventors, match items from your kit with the symbols in the chart below.

Supplies

  • wire clippers
  • wire strippers
  • 12V DC 500 mA power supply/AC Adapter. (do you have any of these at home? In case you burn one out, it may come in handy. check your old scanner, phone charger, etc., they are all labelled with voltage, current, polarity).
  • solderless breadboard
  • black and red hookup wire.
  • black and red alligator cables.