Learning Electrical Repair

[Gareth Magennis]

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:icllbk$plj$1@news.eternal-september.org...

The "correct" way to learn about transistors is to find a
college-level book. This requires understanding matrix
transformations, but you'll have a better understanding.

Hmm, I remember having to derive Schrodinger's equations
from first principles for my University exams.
Can't say that in all my years of repairing and designing
electronic equipment that this long forgotten knowledge
has ever have been at all useful.

What does Schrodinger have to do with circuit design, anyway?

The poster wanted to "learn about transistors". I think understanding at
least H parameters is worthwhile.

Schrodinger worked on the atomic structure of matter. If you really want to
know how a transistor really works (on a Semiconductor Theory basis), then
maybe he has some use.


My point was that some Electronics books may contain
information/theorys/mathematics not particularly relevent to circuit design
or repairing broken things.



Gareth.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

My point was that some Electronics books may contain
information/theorys/mathematics not particularly relevent
to circuit design or repairing broken things.

No argument. I've just never seen a book that thoroughly covers the basics
of electronic servicing in a clear and useful way.

 

Offhand, I've never seen a book that covers transistor-circuit operation in
a simple way, or that discusses how one uses that knowledge when trouble
shooting.

"The Art of Electronics" covers all that matters from simplest to complex
electronic circuits.
How to troubleshoot is another matter and probably comes from really
understanding how things should work in the first place.
One good text is "Troubleshooting Analog Circuits" by Bob Pease, but that's
not intended for newcomers to the electronic world (my opinion).
Best regards
Frank

 

[William Sommerwerck]

One good text is "Troubleshooting Analog Circuits" by
Bob Pease, but that's not intended for newcomers to
the electronic world (my opinion).

I believe that is book focuses on correcting design problems, not fixing
existing equipment. (I have a copy, but have only browsed it.)

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

frank@notvalid.it wrote:

Offhand, I've never seen a book that covers transistor-circuit operation in
a simple way, or that discusses how one uses that knowledge when trouble
shooting.

"The Art of Electronics" covers all that matters from simplest to complex
electronic circuits.

The third edition has been 'due any doay now' for several years.


--
For the last time: I am not a mad scientist, I'm just a very ticked off
scientist!!!

 

William Sommerwerck <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

One good text is "Troubleshooting Analog Circuits" by
Bob Pease, but that's not intended for newcomers to
the electronic world (my opinion).

I believe that is book focuses on correcting design problems, not fixing
existing equipment. (I have a copy, but have only browsed it.)

more or less yes, but gives quite some hints about how to check for problems
whether or not caused by design flaws.
As I said, I believe that fixing things works best when one knows how to
make those things from scratch. Many won't agree with me of course.
Regards

Frank

 

[David Nebenzahl]

On 11/25/2010 4:38 AM William Sommerwerck spake thus:

[other attribution lost due to W.S.'s lax method of quoting]

The "correct" way to learn about transistors is to find a
college-level book. This requires understanding matrix
transformations, but you'll have a better understanding.

Hmm, I remember having to derive Schrodinger's equations
from first principles for my University exams.
Can't say that in all my years of repairing and designing
electronic equipment that this long forgotten knowledge
has ever have been at all useful.

What does Schrodinger have to do with circuit design, anyway?

The poster wanted to "learn about transistors". I think understanding at
least H parameters is worthwhile.

No, you're starting to play that Usenet game called "Telephone". The
O.P. said nothing about transistors; I brought up the subject. Dunno if
they're even interested in that.

Offhand, I've never seen a book that covers transistor-circuit operation in
a simple way, or that discusses how one uses that knowledge when trouble
shooting.

I have a book right here that does an excellent job of explaining
transistors and diodes, both their theories of operation and practical
usage in circuits: it's Albert Paul Malvino's /Electronic Principles/
(1979), including knowledge useful for troubleshooting. One of the
best-written texts on the subject I've read.


--
The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring,
with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags.

- Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com)

 

[Wild_Bill]

I agree, that most textbooks don't provide much info that is in any way
helpful to understand transistor operation, from a troubleshooting
perspective.

Back in the mid-late 80s there was a guy named Vince Diehl(sp?) that
developed a piece of test equipment for quickly troubleshooting TV startup
problems on the then-popular chopper circuit/flyback-scan-derived-LV chassis
designs.

The tester's important feature was to clearly indicate that the fault was in
a particular section of the chassis, so wasted time checking the other
sections was eliminated.
The only circuit connection required was a plug that was installed in place
of the HOT.

He was offering anyone a significant reward (maybe $100k in 2 page magazine
ads) if they could correctly diagnose a faulty/dead chassis problem faster
with any of Sencore's equipment, or any other brand.

Anyway, Vince also had (or access to) some publishing equipment, and had
written some very good troubleshooting procedure booklets, one part being
about transistor operation.. a couple of basic rules-of-thumb were described
as:

A transistor is a switch, sometimes operated slowly, sometimes fast,
partially on or fully on.
Changing the present state of the switch only required about 0.6V, basically
from any source of the correct potential (but he gave much more detailed
examples).

His approaches for troubleshooting were described differently than any other
source that I've seen.

Homer Davidson was a popular author then, with a background in electronic
repair (I believe), and I don't remember one thing I read that he'd written
after reading several of his books (often filled with pics of modern test
equipment, but basically just parroted stuff common to many electronic
books).

Sencore later developed a tester that also had a plug that was inserted in
place of the HOT.
I once asked a Sencore "application engineer"/salesman if they were
concerned about Vince's reward challenge, and if Vince might've been a
former equipment engineer at Sencore.
His answers seemed intentionally vague to me.

--
Cheers,
WB
..............


"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:icllbk$plj$1@news.eternal-september.org...

What does Schrodinger have to do with circuit design, anyway?

The poster wanted to "learn about transistors". I think understanding at
least H parameters is worthwhile.

Offhand, I've never seen a book that covers transistor-circuit operation
in
a simple way, or that discusses how one uses that knowledge when trouble
shooting.

 

[F Murtz]

Wild_Bill wrote:

There are at least a couple of companies that still sell electronic kits
for hobbiests/enthusiasts.

Velleman has small kits, but nothing of the same scale as the old
Heathkit equipment.
http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/list/?id=523008

I believe I saw another brand name of small kits available on eBay
recently, but don't remember the name.

Down under, the Dick Smith electronics company may still be selling kits.

I've seen soldering kits available for practicing/learning the skill of
soldering.. and there are probably DVD video instructions for beginners
interested in learning how to solder.

Some of those instructable/DIY websites have some dangerous techniques
that beginners should definitely stay away from.. the line voltage
powered nicad zapper is one example of one of the hazardous procedures
I've seen.

There may be some worthwhile youtube videos, but steady cameras and good
clean audio don't seem to be the norm there.
Finding or buying some actual commercially-made soldering tutorial
videos would be best, IMO

--
Cheers,
WB
.............


"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:icg895$2l2$1@news.eternal-september.org...
It's a shame there are no major manufacturers of electronic kits,
which is a
good way to get started (assuming you know how to solder!).

Try Googling "electronic kits for adults".

You might get one of those "100-in-one" lab-experiment kits and have some
fun with it. None requires soldering.




Jaycar sells many kits in Australia.