looking for electronics kits - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: pitfermi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2020, 01:12:25 pm
content: Hi. I am a M.Sc electrical engineering student in Stuttgart, Germany. My field of study is micro- and optoelectronics.One of the classes I have to take is called Integrated Mixed Signal Circuits.The class starts with a basic BJT Inverter Circuit and covers other circuits like CML(current mode logic), ECL(emitter coupled logic), see pictures attached.I am having a hard time understanding the purpose of using CML and ECL, as well as the behavior of the individual transistors in these configurations.I am looking for kits in order to build these circuit configurations(CML, ECL) as well as more complex ones and using equipmen, test and verify each node of the circuit.some of the equipment i own:-rigol ds1054z and a cheap multimeter(works flawlessly)-weller WMRP with diy power supply-misc soldering stuff-30V 5A power supplyAre there suck kits, or do I have to buy the transinstors and other components in bulk, like reichelt, conrad etc. and build the circuits myself? Do I need additional equipment for checking current?Thanks in advance

author: Clear as mud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2020, 01:43:54 pm
content: There are kits. Even Mouser and Digikey will havesomekits available if you look hard enough, but probably for more specialized items. I bought some kits fromvakits.com, for example here is their1/4-watt resistor kit.I am pretty sure they also have kits of capacitors, transistors, etc. I know they have surface-mount as well as through-hole.However, they are based in the USA (Florida) and I see that you are in Germany. Maybe you can find a European-based store selling kits. Amazon and eBay also probably have electronics kit vendors.

author: pitfermi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2020, 04:14:50 pm
content: as i inderstand, i'm think i'm better off buying a bunch of transistors and resistors and building the circuits myself.

author: SmokedComponent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2020, 04:56:32 pm
content: Definitely get a THT resistor kit, 0.25W or 0.6W metal film, as a starting point. They are relatively inexpensive (comparing to SMT books) and may come with a neat box. It is practically essential to have resistors of common standard values. Then you can also get some electrolytic capacitor kit and a ceramic one plus a fistful of most common values like 10n, 100n... (in kits, they don't give you many of those).Buy jellybean transistors (2N3904, 2N3906, or what have you...) a meter each, they are dirt cheap. Same goes for signal diodes, and get some LED kit, of course, they are useful diagnostic tool as well.Conrad, for example, will sell Ok stuff. I don't recommend buying cheapest noname kits from ebay. Even though the components might be Ok for prototyping, at some point you may want to use them to repair something or build projects that will last.QuoteSecond multimeter. You always need a second one. (Until you later figure out you also need a third, fourth...)

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2020, 12:05:51 am
content: Quote from: SmokedComponent on September 04, 2020, 04:56:32 pmThis ^ ^ ^ (for starters)QuoteWhen you get to the stage that this does not seem strange - we have a thread you can check out -here

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2020, 01:40:31 am
content: SmokedComponent's suggestions are sane and reasonable. In addition to regular signal diodes, (probably 1N4148) I'd recommend getting some through-hole small signal Schottky diodes e.g. BAT43, for when your circuit cant tolerate the Vf voltage drop of a silicon PN diode.You'll also want a decent quality solderless breadboard, preferably fairly large. China produces around 90% crappy breadboards so buying from EBAY, random sellers on Amazon or the various Chinese direct outlets will lead to frustration. If you've got the budget go for a reputable brand name from a western supplier. e.g.https://www.tme.eu/gb/details/340-002-1/development-kits-accessories/digilent/solderless-breadboard-kit-large/Even though it may have come out the same factory as the crappy ones, Digilent will have paied the premium for higher quality contacts and will be doing on-going Q.C. inspections.If you are studying logic for very much longer, (no matter whether its discrete transistor, TTL or CMOS), you'll want some sub-miniature SPDT toggle switches mounted on a panel for inputting logic levels, a pushbutton + debounce circuit for clocking counters, shift registers etc. and possibly a CMOS 555 based circuit to produce a repetitive clock pulse. Also you'll probably want some LEDs driven by buffers so you can monitor logic states without significantly loading the circuit.Some 4000 series logic gates may come in handy as well. 4000 series due to their wide supply voltage range so easiest to reuse to interface to whatever types of logic circuit you move on to.Discuss your needs with us in more detail and we can help refine them.

author: chris_leyson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2020, 02:03:10 am
content: I would second what SmokedComponent and Ian.M have already said, try it with discrete transistors on a good quality breadboard. If you want your logic to run faster you could even try Manhattan layout on a piece of single sided PCB. For analog related circuits "Designing Analog Chips" by the late Hans Camenzind is a good read and there is a freely available pdf version.

author: pitfermi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2020, 11:34:06 am
content: thank you for the reply. Regarding my needs. I want to build and measure the aforementioned circuits to better understand the solutions to the exercises of the class. I also want to build more circuits, for example a 555 timer, since that can be done with bjts and resistors afaik. again, so that i can understand how each node of the circuit behaves practically. i want to put my rigol to use and see how accurate the results on paper are compared to actual behavior. I dont need more than this for a start, i have more classes to take and not so much time, but i'm more than aware that basic transistor configurations are essential to every e.eso, i want to build test circuits and measure them, no production or high quality stuff, just to confirm theory.does a quality breadboard really make a difference? the one you linked.. I have a single(one third of the large breadboard) that looks identical. im sure the contacts inside might be of more quality, but does it really make a difference when it comes to testing stuff?can you recommend some "hook" probes(the ones you push and the hooks comes out) for attaching to through hole transistors using a DMM?Quote from: Ian.M on September 05, 2020, 01:40:31 am

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2020, 12:23:57 pm
content: This is the difference:Also see:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/breadboard-maintenance-tips/You can get plug on spring hook tips to fit over most multimeter probe tips, but they aren't particularly robust. You can DIY them by drilling out the cap of a miniature spring clip hook, and soldering the contact to a 2mm wander plug socket with the cap pushed all the way up the socket, then pushing the cap back down into place and gluing the socket to the cap. reinforce with heatshrink over the cap and socket. However, due to the total length when on the probe, they tend to lever components out of the breadboard.Therefore I suggest making up probe to breadboard adapter leads. Most probe tips fit well in the female contacts from 'Molex' (sic.) 5.25" drive PC power connectors. Take some 8" to 10" male to male 'Dupont' leads, cut them in half, solder on female 'Molex' contacts at the cut ends and heatshrink over the female contacts. You can do something similar with spring clip hook leads if you need to go direct onto component legs.