JCM EDUCATION SERVICES
The Excitement is Building!
Resistors
Resistors are one of the simplest and most common electronic component used. The resistors primary purpose is to "resist" current flow, thereby controlling the amount of electron flow in a circuit.
​
The measure of resistance is the "ohm". This number is represented by the coloured bands on the resistor, which can be easily interpreted.
​
Axial resistors have no polarity, but it is good form to mount the resistors flush to the printed circuit board with the GOLD ( tolerance ) band on the same side.
​
​
​
%2520(1)_edited.jpg)
CAPACITORS
Capacitors are components responsible for temporary storage and release of electric charge between two parallel plates and are useful in the SAMrI for reducing electrical noise and smoothing voltages. The ability to store electrical charge is defined by the "FARAD".
​
​
Capacitors in this kit are two types: monolithic or electrolytic.
The larger electrolytic capacitors will have their values printed on them and have the negative lead marked with a large black or white stripe. Often, the positive lead of the electrolytic capacitor is longer than the negative.
The small monolithic capacitors (right) will be labeled as 104 (1 x103 pF) or 103 (1x102 pF) and have no polarity.
- +
Light Emitting Diodes
+ -
The Light Emitting Diode ( LED ) is a semiconductor which, when current is passed through it, produces a coloured light depending on the chemical properties of the semiconductor material. In addition to the light production, the LED is also a "diode" which is a component that only lets current pass through in one direction, while opposing current flow in the other direction.
​
Because of this diode effect, the LED has a polarity which must be considered when installed.
​
The positive lead of the diode is usually the longer lead of the component, and the negative lead is indicated by a flat spot on the base of the plastic body of the part.
REFLECTIVE SENSORS
Reflective Sensors are sensors that act both as an LED and a phototransistor. These sensors have two sides: the LED side can be identified by no label on the case and a clear plastic window on the face of the sensor (left); the phototransistor side can be identified by a label on the case and a black window on the face of the sensor (right). Take note of the location of the case label on your reflective sensors.
