Easy | Moderate | Harder | More
Each project has a stripboard (or pcb) layout plus extra instructions if necessary.
The projects have * ratings to show how difficult they are:
* Easy projects suitable for beginners.
** Moderate projects with one or two ICs.
*** Harder projects with three or more ICs, these require a little experience.
The Electronics Club projects are provided in good faith but no responsibilty is accepted for their accuracy or suitability for any purpose; you use them entirely at your own risk. All the projects have been built and tested to ensure they work but if you find an error please tell me so that I can correct it as soon as possible.
For temporary projects built on breadboard see the Breadboard Workshops. No soldering is required and the parts can be used again afterwards.
A very simple project which can be used to test components and connections.
A good first project to check your soldering skills and learn to identify components.
The LED flashes 3 times per second.
Flashes briefly.
To 'unlock' press all the correct switches at the same time but not any of the cancel switches.
The circuit starts timing immediately when switched on and bleeps when the time period is over.
The time period can be up to 10 minutes.
UK traffic light.
Eight LEDs flash in an apparently random sequence.
A 4026 counter and driver IC is used.
Flash sequence.
Eight LEDs.
18 LEDs flashing.
The circuit detects a sudden shadow falling on a sensor.
Natural light works but a beam of light is better.
18 LEDs flashing.
Press switch to throw.
Designed for 2-4 contestants but can be adapted for more.
First switch pressed lights its own LED and sounds the bleeper.
Designed for testing computer network leads but can be used to check any lead with up to 8 wires by using suitable connectors.
stock a wide range of components, tools and materials for electronics. I am very happy to recommend them as a supplier.
Learn how to solder.
Photo © Rapid Electronics
Identify components and read their values.
Suggestions of what components to buy and how to organise their storage.
Projects to build without soldering, detailed diagrams, parts can be used again.
These kits are supplied with a PCB making them relatively easy to construct. Component positions are marked on the PCB and this helps to ensure everything is in the right place. For many of the projects you can download the instructions to help decide if the kit is suitable.
Simple projects from Rapid
These are suitable for beginners with little or no experience.
More advanced projects from Rapid
These include projects suitable for beginners as well as more experienced constructors.
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A great introduction, this book starts by assuming no previous knowledge then carefully builds up straightforward explanations of how components work, plus practical techniques including wire-stripping, soldering and using a multimeter. The final project uses three ICs to make a great game.
The author, Øyvind Nydal Dahl, has done a great job in providing clear step-by-step instructions with breadboard (or stripboard) layouts as well as circuit diagrams for projects. As Technical Reviewer for the book I've built all the projects myself and I'm very happy to recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and educational introduction to electronics.
Another great book by Øyvind Nydal Dahl, author of Electronics for Kids (above). There are circuit diagrams and parts lists for 9 simple projects, all of which can be built on breadboard without soldering. The first project has full step-by-step instructions to help a beginner build the others from their circuit diagrams. Common mistakes are highlighted and there's a helpful explanation of how each circuit works. This book makes a good companion to Electronics for Kids which I recommend you read first if you are new to electronics.
Detailed instructions for building and testing ten projects.