He’s at it again! New Vacuum Tube Amplifier from Steve

Wow! Congratulations to our customer, Steve White, on his recent interview with the The Peterborough Examiner where Steve talked about his made-from-scratch vacuum tube amplifiers.

Steve sent some pictures of his latest project. He says it’s the biggest and most powerful amp that he’s made to date.

Here a new one. This is the biggest and most powerful amp I’ve made
yet! It’s a Push-Pull-Parallel 6L6 putting out a conservative 80 watts
per channel. I think I’ll keep this one for a while….
It has 8 of your 470 uf 400 volt electrolytic capacitors in it and one
of those small mylar coupling caps also.

Take a look for yourself…..

As always, great work, Steve.

7 Segment Displays

7 Segment LEDs or 7 segment displays are a type of electronic display devices used for displaying decimal numbers, in place of the more complicated dot matrix displays. 7 segment LEDs are used in a number of applications such as electronic meters, digital clocks and other such electronic devices.

7 Segment Display

7 Segment Display

As the name suggests, these electronic components are made up from 7 segments that are used for displaying each of the numerals from 0 to 9. The segments are arranged in a rectangle pattern with two vertical segments placed on each side, and a horizontal segment placed on top and bottom. In addition, another segment is placed bisecting the rectangle horizontally. This way, the figure obtained is of the number ‘8’. The segments are identified by lower case letters “a” to “g”, that begin with “a” on the top and going clockwise, with the center segment being “g”.

In some 7 segment LEDs, an additional segment is used to denote a decimal point and is referred to as DP. In some LEDs an extra triangle is also included to turn this decimal point in to a comma, which improves the readability of larger numbers.

Most of the 7 segment displays are slanted to make the numbers look like they were written in italics. This allows for one digit to be placed upside down along with another digit, such that the two decimal points appear like a colon between the digits. This arrangement of these electronic components is widely used in digital clock displays.

Meet the Amazing Alessandro Volta

Alessandro Volta was a renowned Italian physicist who is very popular for his work in the field of electricity. He was the first person to introduce the concept of an electric battery which was capable of producing a steady electrical stream.

Napoleon gave Alessandro Volta the title of count in appreciation for his work. Later, in honor of the great Alessandro Volta, the unit of potential difference or electromotive force was named Volt. In addition, the phenomenon of conversion of light energy to electrical energy is also named Photo Voltaic after Alessandro Volta.

How Do You Store Your Electronic Components?

Storing and retrieving a large number of electronic components like capacitors, resistors, LEDs, transistors, diodes, ICs etc. can be a daunting task not only because they are tiny but also because extreme temperature and humidity can deteriorate their performance. They also need careful handling as they are fragile and the tips can break easily.

In addition, electronic components need to be protected against static electricity.

To keep static electricity from damaging your sensitive electronic components, we recommend that you use sheets of anti-static foam. These foam sheets are easily cut to size to fit your storage containers.

A sheet of pink anti-static foam

A sheet of pink anti-static foam

There are a variety of container options to store electronic components safely. A range of molded ABS plastic boxes that can be side locked and stacked either vertically or horizontally are available. Each drawer has a number of compartments and can be labeled for easy identification. The various electronic components like resistors, capacitors etc need to be sorted and stored in these compartments in logical fashion. The drawers are easy to slide and can be pulled out / pushed in without much effort.

Ever wonder how the large electronic distributors store and retrieve their components? Automatic storage and retrieval systems make the job of storing and retrieving large numbers of electronic components easy and efficient. A typical construction has a vertical carousel in which a number of cameras are mounted on an endless chain activated by geared motors. The shelves are capable of rotating in either direction in a vertical plane. An electronic keypad facilitates calling the numbered carrier and bin / compartment. The system is equipped to store information about the location of code numbered electronic components in its memory. It can also be linked to a central computer for sharing of information for inventory control purposes. These automatic systems enable fast access of electronic components, instant stock update and save floor space, time, manpower and paper work involved in conventional storage systems.

AC vs DC – What is the Difference?

AC vs. DC

Electric current is the flow of electrons carrying electric charge. There are 2 types of electric current – direct (DC) and alternating (AC). In Direct Current the electron flow takes place only in one direction. A battery is a source of direct current. DC is widely used in many electronic circuits operating in low voltage levels.

In Alternating Current, both voltage and current alternate in direction back and forth following a sine wave pattern. The number of cycles per second, called the frequency, varies from 50 or 60 depending on the power system in a country. Alternating current is produced universally in power stations using AC generators. The AC theory is briefly described below.

A rotating coil in a magnetic field cuts the magnetic lines of force in two different directions during each half rotation in an AC generator. Thus the current produced travels alternately from left to right and then from right to left. When the coil is parallel to the magnetic lines of force, no current is generated. The alternating current so generated is collected by slip rings attached to the ends of the rotating coil and then transferred to an external circuit through metallic brushes.

Alternating current can be readily transmitted over long distances with minimum loss unlike DC. Any voltage drop along the way can be easily boosted using transformers. Also motors with high power can be designed using AC. Eddy current and radiation losses are the principal disadvantages of AC. 3 phase AC is generated in power stations, with each current out of phase by 120 deg to each other.

For a simple explanation about converters and inverters, visit this web page.

Five Easy Steps to Selecting the Right Switch

Although it is often one of the last components considered, selecting the correct switch is important when designing electronic equipment. Designers must be aware of the various options available in order to choose the most appropriate switch for any given application.
The procedure of selecting the correct switch can be summarized this way:

  • The requirements of the end user should be given consideration first
  • The engineering aspects like load, contact materials, terminal type, voltage, circuit type, mounting etc should be studied
  • Next the type of actuator should be decided
  • Standards like RoHS and similar government regulations must be complied with as well
  • Lastly, the switch chosen should be able to stand up to the rigors of the application. Environmental factors must be considered

When choosing a switch, you can ensure that the most appropriate switch is selected for the job if you take these factors into consideration.

What is Infrared?

What is Infrared?

The electromagnetic spectrum has waves of various wavelengths. Human eyes are capable to seeing the light that form a small part of electro magnetic spectrum. The waves with shorter wavelength as well are longer wavelengths than the visible spectrum are not visible. Infrared are waves that have longer wavelengths than the visible spectrum. The wavelengths corresponding to the Infrared waves are in between 750nm to 1mm.

Infrared waves cannot be seen but can be felt in the form of heat. Since the main source of infrared emissions is thermal source, so any thing that has temperature will emit Infrared emissions. Most of them are not noticed because they are not so strong. Higher is the temperature of the object, greater will be the Infrared emissions. Substances that seem cold such as a cube of ice also emit infrared.

Uses of Infrared:

  • Night vision: Infrared filters are utilized to filter 99 percent of the light of the visible spectrum and allow maximum infrared light to pass through them. This helps in viewing objects even in the dark based on their infrared emissions.
  • Thermo vision: Infrared emissions are utilized to find out the temperatures of distant objects. All celestial bodies emit strong Infrared emissions. These emissions are an easy way to study about the topography as well as climate of the celestial bodies.
  • Communication: Infrared transmission is an easy way to transfer data for a short distance. Infrared finds its application in remote controls in which the Infrared LEDs are utilized to emit radiations that are focused over the Infrared acceptors. The Infrared LEDs also find their application in movement sensors such as optical mouse used in our desktop.
    • IR LEDS

    IR LEDS

  • Spectroscopy: Infrared waves find their applications in analysis of the molecules.
  • Satellite images: Infrared imaging is utilized by satellites to send in the details regarding the weather and geography of a place.

New Uses for Solar Energy: Solar Powered Gadgets

A few decades ago, you might have noticed solar panels when driving through rural areas on a radio tower, or perhaps you’d seen them in use at a scientific research facility or on images of the international space station.

These days, it seems like solar panels are popping up everywhere, with many modern homeowners opting to trade in their expensive and inefficient electricity bills for clean, environmentally conscientious solar energy that requires virtually no maintenance and significantly cuts costs over time. From backyard barbeques to complete electric power replacement, modern homes — and offices for that matter — are quickly adapting to the modern solar power trend.

But it’s not just homes that are benefiting from the energy-producing rays of the sun. There is a wide variety of solar gadgets emerging on the modern market, from the ingenious to the entertaining.

There are a great number of portable devices that both businesspeople and vacationers alike depend on for work, play, and communication, the foremost of which is perhaps the laptop. Most laptop owners are familiar with a common frustration associated with their use; while the laptop is certainly portable, it only functions a short while away from its electric energy source. Solar power comes into play for laptop owners with newly-developed laptop battery chargers; imagine getting extra hours of computation, correspondence, or even game playing out of your machine by harnessing the natural energy of the sun.

For those who like to listen to their music out of doors, many audio equipment companies now offer solar-powered headsets, which can provide excellent quality radio, cd, or mp3 tunes without the expense or hassle of batteries; these inventive devices give ‘fun in the sun’ a whole new meaning.

In the garden, solar panels are a great way to provide illumination at night; solar “spotlights” or path lights can be placed throughout the natural landscape without the need for a clutter of wires and cables, and can give your garden a gorgeous night view or help guide your way from the garage once the sun’s gone down.

The increasingly popular use of amphorous solar cells, which are flexible unlike conventional models, are resulting in an array of important applications such as camping gear (some tents feature solar-paneled surfaces), clothing, and more.

With applications from the small and amusing to the truly immense, solar panels are proving an important element of modern energy production. Make this clean and cost-efficient power source a part of your life, and find a solar gadget to delight you and deliver you from electric dependency.

Solar Energy Basics

How Solar Energy Works

Solar energy is a relatively new field of study in terms of practical application, but its existence and effect on our planet is as old as the Earth itself.

The sun undergoes a never-ending series of light and heat producing reactions, comprising and sustaining its fiery mass while radiating these products outward. While some of this radiation is reflected back into space by the upper reaches of our atmosphere, a significant portion passes through and touches the Earth’s surface, powering a variety of natural processes important for the proper balance and functioning of the environment.

But solar energy can be harnessed by humans to power a wide variety of domestic, agricultural, and industrial applications, and is a rapidly-growing technology sector. The importance of moving towards clean, sustainable energy sources is paramount in the modern era, and solar energy provides the most promising and cost-effective solution for many uses.

Solar energy is employed in a number of ways, and can be used in a passive or active scheme, depending on design and desired output. Passive applications for solar energy include conscientious building construction in terms of alignment with the sun for heating and cooling purposes, as well as various greenhouse and farming technologies which allow solar heat to work with maximum efficacy and efficiency. Active uses for solar energy are most often materialized in the form of solar panels, which are accessible conversion tools useful for both large corporations and projects and individual consumers and homeowners.

Solar panels consist of a number of photovoltaic cells, which absorb solar energy and convert it to electric energy for practical use, storing the energy in a battery bank. The special photovoltaic cells contain electric contacts, which generate useful energy with electrons “grabbed” by the cells’ electric fields. These electrons are available to the cells once photons in direct sunlight come into contact with the surface of the panels, and are the key to creating clean, sustainable energy for the home and beyond.

As you might guess, the specific quality of the photovoltaic cells themselves as well as the number of cells laid over the surface of a solar panel help determine the overall efficacy and output of the panel. Factors including shading obstructions, weather patterns, and proper placement all have an impact on the production potential of a given panel and its set of photovoltaic cells.

Though the applications of solar energy vary, the common threads of efficiency and renewable sources render solar power an intelligent and effective way to power human lives without harming the environment.

Solar Energy Systems – Are They Right For You?

Solar energy systems, once reserved for massive industrial and agricultural operations, have seen dramatic developments in efficacy and accessibility over the past few years, allowing business owners, building planners, and homeowners to incorporate these important pieces of green technology into their everyday lives.

Far from being a second-best energy option or merely comprising a fashionable way to power a space, solar energy systems present excellent solutions for entrepreneurs and consumers alike, and are great for the environment, too. But what are the main benefits of these systems, and why are people so excited about this rapidly evolving technology? The answers lie in the ability of solar energy systems to provide efficient power use at an affordable price, resulting in a better environment in our lifetime and for future generations.

Solar Power Controller

Solar Power Controller

As the mainstay of modern solar energy systems, solar panels have become a hot topic amidst the green community. These panels operate by collecting light radiation from the sun and converting it to electric energy, which we can in turn use for a variety of applications. But while many traditional means of acquiring electric power, including coal, water, and nuclear systems, create a significant amount of waste product during processing, and often absorb resources that could readily be used for other applications, solar energy systems with the use of solar panels are entirely efficient, wasting no materials while creating sufficient stores of energy.

But though a smoothly-operating system with great output and a lack of waste may seem to warrant high costs, solar energy systems are actually a very cost-effective way to power homes, buildings, and beyond.

A relatively simple set up consists of components that are easily affordable for both business and home owners. Many users who set up solar energy systems including solar panels find their initial investments recouped with remarkable speed, thanks to the alleviation of costly electric bills and related expenditures. Imagine saying “goodbye” to your monthly electric utility statement and never being shocked by a hiked rate again. It’s an ideal achieved by many through the installation of solar energy systems. And this advantage of price extends to the Earth itself, as well.

Our planet is ruthlessly taxed of its natural resources, providing modern civilization with a host of necessities and luxuries at a rapidly accelerating pace. In the quest to find and implement clean, sustainable sources of energy, solar panels and related technologies are leading the fight against the depletion of Earth’s bounty, and can deliver the promise of a green and healthy planet for people today, tomorrow, and into the next centuries.