Electronic principles

Learn about how components such as resistors, capacitors, LDRs and so on work, look at circuit theory and how to use soldering tools.

Whats in the electronic principles tutorials?

Learn about how components such as resistors, capacitors, LDRs and so on work, look at circuit theory and how to use soldering tools.

Whats in the electronic principles tutorials?

What Is Solar Power – an Enlightening Guide

What Is Solar Power – an Enlightening Guide

The sun provides a huge potential source of energy for our planet. Average solar energy falling on the planet is around 1300 W/m2. This is roughly ...
What Are Electric Motors – A Brief Guide

What Are Electric Motors – A Brief Guide

Motors provide a clean way to convert electrical energy (such as from batteries) into mechanical energy (or movement.) This document explains what a motor is, a little of the theory about how it works, and shows some of the different types of motors.
What Are Servos – A Brief Guide

What Are Servos – A Brief Guide

Radio Control (RC) Servos are a simple way to provide electronically controlled movement for many projects. It does not refer to the more general, wide-ranging, description of a servo motor – that is a motor which has feedback control.
Simple Printed Circuit Board Repair

Simple Printed Circuit Board Repair

Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) are made from layers of fibre glass and copper, glued together. Whilst the glues used are very heat resistant it is possible to overheat a PCB and damage it. Learn how to repair a damaged one here.
Soldering School - Kitronik University

Soldering School - Kitronik University

The introductory guide to soldering explains what soldering is, contains lessons on soldering equipment, how to solder and how to look after your tools.
How A Potential Divider / Voltage Divider Works

How A Potential Divider / Voltage Divider Works

Two or more resistors when connected in series make up a potential divider circuit, this tutorial explains how they work and the voltage across them. Circuit diagrams, formulas, worked examples and some questions to test your understanding are included in the tutorial.
How to Remove Solder

How to Remove Solder - Kitronik University

Have you ever made a mistake soldering? Heard of solder wick but not sure how to use it? Or perhaps you've seen a solder sucker but not sure if it's the right tool for the job. Join Kevin as he shows you show to remove solder.
Understanding Electronic Principles

Understanding Electronic Principles

This Kitronik University course features a series of guides explaining principles of electronics. You'll learn how to identify components and circuit symbols, how common components work and how to make important calculations such as resistors and capacitors in series and parallel.
Resistor choice for LED

Which Resistor Should I Use with my LED?

LED brightness is controlled using a current limit resistor to drop some of the battery voltage, calculate the resistance using the formulas in this guide. A worked example shows the calculation used to work out the resistance to accompany an LED in a typical circuit using a 9V battery.
Harnessing the Power of the Sun with a Solar Garden Light

Harnessing the Power of the Sun with a Solar Garden Light

Teachers are now looking for projects that allow students to consider sustainability, and, what better way to do this, than with a solar garden light?
LED Resistor Value Calculator featured image

LED Resistor Value Calculator

This calculator works out the resistor value to accompany an LED by entering the battery voltage along with the LED forward voltage and typical current. Parameters for Kitronik LEDs can be picked from a list and the calculator even recommend a preferred resistor value complete with colour bands.
How to Solder in Ten Easy Steps featured image

How to Solder in Ten Easy Steps

Soldering is an essential skill in electronics, fortunately it is easy to get started. Just follow our 10 step guide and you'll be soldering in no time!
Interactive Learn and Test Zone featured image

Interactive Electronics Learn and Test Zone

Interactive Learn & Test Zone: revise a particular topic, take a test, download the resource for future reference.
How A Power Supply Works

How A Power Supply Works

A guide to understanding how a power supply converts mains electricity in to low voltage DC supply. The tutorial covers both linear and switch mode power supplies.
What Is An Intergrated Circuit? featured image

What Is An Intergrated Circuit?

What is an Intergrated Circuit? Who invented the Integrated Circuit? What are some examples of Integrated Circuits? How are they made?
How to Use a Multimeter

How to Use a Multimeter

A guide to using a Multimeter to measure voltage and current.
What Is Ohm’s Law featured image

What Is Ohm’s Law

Ohm’s law is used to describe the relationship between Voltage (V), Current (I) and Resistance (R). In this tutorial you will learn about the formula that connects these three values, see some examples and answer some questions to test your understanding.
Understanding Logic Gates featured image

Understanding Logic Gates

A guide to understanding how logic gates work.
How A Thermistor Works featured image

How A Thermistor Works

A guide to understanding how a thermistor works. A thermistor is a component that has a resistance that changes with temperature. There are two types of thermistor. Those with a resistance that increase with temperature (Positive Temperature Coefficient – PTC) and those with a resistance that falls with temperature (Negative Temperature Coefficient – NTC).
How To Use A Thyristor As A Latch featured image

How To Use A Thyristor As A Latch

A guide to using a thyristor as a latch.