In today’s world, where machines are an integral part of our daily lives, it appears that learning electronics, at least to some extent, is almost a requirement. It is true that studying electronics can help you be better prepared to repair your own devices when they break down or to build small devices to fill needs around the house. You can ensure that you are not intimidated by the technology that is now so pervasive in our daily activities by taking the time to learn electronics.
The conductor used in electronics differs from that used in electrical; electronics uses non-metal conductors, whereas electrical uses metal conductors. Fixing the wiring in your house falls under the category of electrical repair, whereas repairing a silicon circuit board on your computer falls under the category of electronic repair. Many people learned electrical repair in the past so that they could fix lights, replace fuses, and help out around the house; nowadays, people learn electronics to meet a similar need, giving them the skills they need to fix computers, DVD players, clocks, and other simple devices around the house.
The first thing you should know about learning electronics is that it is a skill, just like any other, that can be learned at any age and by anyone, regardless of their prior experience with technology. Many people believe that if they weren’t raised around electronics, dismantling computers and watches, they won’t be able to learn. This is simply not true. Even the most inexperienced learners can begin to understand electronics by following simple courses and tutorials that are widely available.
When learning electronics, you’ll start with the fundamentals of how everything works. You’ll learn about resistors, capacitors, diodes, and transistors, how to calculate voltage and resistance, what a circuit is and how to read a circuit diagram, and other electronics fundamentals. There are a plethora of websites that provide free tutorials on these topics, and an entire genre of how-to books exists that cover everything from the absolute beginner to the advanced practitioner.
It’s also a good idea to participate in some hands-on experiments while learning this information. Building your own simple circuit while learning about circuits, for example, will aid your understanding of electronics by immersing you in both the intellectual and practical aspects of the subject. Many tutorials include practical lessons, and some books even include small kits for constructing circuits and performing other basic experiments.
There may be a Regional Occupational Program (ROP) in your area that includes an electronics lab. This could be an excellent way to learn electronics without breaking the bank. These labs usually have friendly staff on hand to assist you, and they frequently have large amounts of donated electronic equipment that you can dismantle and play with to save money on parts. Because these programs are partially funded by the government, they are typically very affordable, and some even provide scholarships that make them completely free.