Nuts and Volts Magazine

Sunday, February 28, 2010

About Nuts and Volts Magazine
Now In Our 30th Year! The first issue of Nuts & Volts was published in 1980. It was originally designed as a newsprint, all advertising publication that was mostly given away. Over the next few years, the magazine continued to grow in readership and advertising, however, not much changed until February 1992 when NV was changed to a tabloid format and started to make the shift to a more content-oriented publication. New editorial features were added along with monthly columns and projects for electronics DIYers. Since then, it has grown into one of the most popular and relevant magazines for the electronics hobbyist in the nation. Beginning with the January 2003 issue, Nuts & Volts was reformatted from a tabloid size back to a standard magazine size. now averages about 100 pages and is printed on high-quality paper in full color.

Feature & Project Articles
Past issues have included articles on Printed Circuit Board Prototyping, the Global Positioning System, Amateur Radio Topics, Audioanimatronics, MIDI Interfacing, CNC, Home Automation, Computer Control, Data Acquisition, PLUS Software Reviews and all types of Build-It-Yourself Electronic Projects.

This topic will be updated daily for more issues

1-Nuts and Volts - August 2009

2-Nuts and Volts - February 2010

3-Nuts and Volts - March 2010

Password of all files:New-Electronic-World.blogspot.com

Diode	Maximum Current	Maximum Reverse Voltage
1N4001	1A	50V
1N4002	1A	100V
1N4007	1A	1000V
1N5401	3A	100V
1N5408	3A	1000V


Various types of Bridge Rectifiers Note that some have a hole through their centre for attaching to a heat sink

Type of Switch	Circuit Symbol	Example
ON-OFF Single Pole, Single Throw = SPST A simple on-off switch. This type can be used to switch the power supply to a circuit. When used with mains electricity this type of switch must be in the live wire, but it is better to use a DPST switch to isolate both live and neutral.		SPST toggle switch
(ON)-OFF Push-to-make = SPST Momentary A push-to-make switch returns to its normally open (off) position when you release the button, this is shown by the brackets around ON. This is the standard doorbell switch. P		Push-to-make switch
ON-(OFF) Push-to-break = SPST Momentary A push-to-break switch returns to its normally closed (on) position when you release the button.		Push-to-break switch
ON-ON Single Pole, Double Throw = SPDT This switch can be on in both positions, switching on a separate device in each case. It is often called a changeover switch. For example, a SPDT switch can be used to switch on a red lamp in one position and a green lamp in the other position. A SPDT toggle switch may be used as a simple on-off switch by connecting to COM and one of the A or B terminals shown in the diagram. A and B are interchangeable so switches are usually not labelled. ON-OFF-ON SPDT Centre Off A special version of the standard SPDT switch. It has a third switching position in the centre which is off. Momentary (ON)-OFF-(ON) versions are also available where the switch returns to the central off position when released.		SPDT toggle switch SPDT slide switch (PCB mounting) SPDT rocker switch
Dual ON-OFF Double Pole, Single Throw = DPST A pair of on-off switches which operate together (shown by the dotted line in the circuit symbol). A DPST switch is often used to switch mains electricity because it can isolate both the live and neutral connections.		DPST rocker switch
Dual ON-ON Double Pole, Double Throw = DPDT A pair of on-on switches which operate together (shown by the dotted line in the circuit symbol). A DPDT switch can be wired up as a reversing switch for a motor as shown in the diagram. ON-OFF-ON DPDT Centre Off A special version of the standard SPDT switch. It has a third switching position in the centre which is off. This can be very useful for motor control because you have forward, off and reverse positions. Momentary (ON)-OFF-(ON) versions are also available where the switch returns to the central off position when released.		DPDT slide switch Wiring for Reversing Switch

Type of Switch	Example
Push-Push Switch (e.g. SPST = ON-OFF) This looks like a momentary action push switch but it is a standard on-off switch: push once to switch on, push again to switch off. This is called a latching action.
Microswitch (usually SPDT = ON-ON) Microswitches are designed to switch fully open or closed in response to small movements. They are available with levers and rollers attached.
Keyswitch A key operated switch. The example shown is SPST.
Tilt Switch (SPST) Tilt switches contain a conductive liquid and when tilted this bridges the contacts inside, closing the switch. They can be used as a sensor to detect the position of an object. Some tilt switches contain mercury which is poisonous.
Reed Switch (usually SPST) The contacts of a reed switch are closed by bringing a small magnet near the switch. They are used in security circuits, for example to check that doors are closed. Standard reed switches are SPST (simple on-off) but SPDT (changeover) versions are also available. Warning: reed switches have a glass body which is easily broken!
DIP Switch (DIP = Dual In-line Parallel) This is a set of miniature SPST on-off switches, the example shown has 8 switches. The package is the same size as a standard DIL (Dual In-Line) integrated circuit. This type of switch is used to set up circuits, e.g. setting the code of a remote control.
Multi-pole Switch The picture shows a 6-pole double throw switch, also known as a 6-pole changeover switch. It can be set to have momentary or latching action. Latching action means it behaves as a push-push switch, push once for the first position, push again for the second position etc.
Multi-way Switch Multi-way switches have 3 or more conducting positions. They may have several poles (contact sets). A popular type has a rotary action and it is available with a range of contact arrangements from 1-pole 12-way to 4-pole 3 way. The number of ways (switch positions) may be reduced by adjusting a stop under the fixing nut. For example if you need a 2-pole 5-way switch you can buy the 2-pole 6-way version and adjust the stop. Contrast this multi-way switch (many switch positions) with the multi-pole switch (many contact sets) described above.	Multi-way rotary switch 1-pole 4-way switch symbol

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Rectifier diodes (large current)

Bridge rectifiers

Zener diodes

Selecting a Switch

Standard Switches

Special Switches

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